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
Economic Analysis of Wind Turbines in Oil and Gas Sector (Published)
Diesel generators or gas turbines located in the platforms usually do electricity production in oil and gas platforms. Using the above equipment, taking into account safety issues to prevent explosions and fires, as well as fueling them offshore, will be very expensive. In addition, the mentioned devices emit a significant amount of CO2 and NOx. Therefore, the use of renewable energy instead of fossil fuels can be much more economical and environmentally friendly. This study attempts to investigate the potential of using wind energy in the Persian Gulf and the feasibility and detailed economic analysis of using wind turbines on oil and gas platforms to provide part of the energy required. For this purpose, wind speed data are extracted from measurements at 10 meters, 30 meters and 40 meters above the ground. Average wind speed for the mentioned levels as 4.45 m/s, 4.99 m/s and 5.34 m/s respectively. In addition, it gives the annual power density as 128.36 W/m2, 173.80 W/m2 and 210.42 W/m2. The results obtained by using RETScreen software show that in this project with a life span of 30 years, the economic output of wind turbine systems is profitable, so that after 8.2 years, the entire cost of the project will return.
Keywords: Marine Platform, RETScreen, Renewable Energy, Wind Turbine, offshore