Smart Grid Integration for Offshore Oil Platforms (Published)
The successful pilot operation of Equinor’s floating Hywind 2.3 MW wind turbine has validated the potential of new technology for capturing wind energy in deep water environments. This innovation shows promise for harnessing the excellent wind resources near offshore oil and gas platforms, where water depths range from 100 to several hundred meters. Offshore oil and gas platforms, which include numerous energy-consuming facilities such as drilling, accommodation, processing, exporting, and injection units, have significant electrical power demands ranging from 10 MW to several hundred MW on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS). As the NCS is a mature petroleum province, energy consumption per produced unit is expected to increase, posing environmental challenges. Currently, most platforms on the NCS generate their own electrical power using gas turbines, which also directly drive compressors and pumps. These gas turbines are responsible for approximately 80% of the total CO2 and NOx emissions from offshore installations. Integrating smart grid technology with renewable energy sources like floating wind turbines could significantly reduce these emissions and enhance the sustainability of offshore oil and gas operations.
Keywords: Integration, offshore, oil, platforms, smart grid