The Anglo-Dutch oil and gas giant was one of a group of investors in a $26m finance round announced by California-based GlassPoint today.

GlassPoint’s thermal enhanced oil recovery (EOR) system is designed to help get at heavy oil that is too thick to be pumped to the surface using conventional techniques.

It is based on parabolic troughs enclosed in a glass structure and sealed from harsh environmental factors such as extreme humidity and sand.

Heat