The farm, also known as Integrated Algal Bio-Refinery consists of about 300 acres of algae cultivation ponds & processing facilities to annually produce 1.5 million gallons of crude oil.
Sapphire’s investment of $85m in the venture is backed by a loan guarantee from the US agriculture department while the US energy department has provided a grant of $50m.
"Bringing our Green Crude Farm online is not only an important accomplishment for Sapphire Energy, but a critical step toward a viable alternative energy future," said Warner.
The farm is also known as an integrated algal bio-refinery with the construction of its first phase beginning in June 2011.
The company partnered with AMEC Project Engineering for the construction of the farm that when fully complete will produce 1.5m gallons per annum of crude oil from algal biomass.
