Page 58 - Danish Offshore Industry 2020

By Sune Falther
THE SEABED

GOES ELECTRIC

ABB is powering the seabed for a sustainable energy
future

In an extreme underwater environ-
ment, a single 600-kilometre-long
cable will connect ABB’s world-first
subsea power distribution and
conversion system to the depths of
the ocean.
The project, recently confirmed
as commercially viable, is ABB’s
take on meeting global energy de-
mands: By electrifying the seabed.

The first milestone has been
achieved in Vaasa, Finland, with
the potential to unlock new possi-
bilities for the future of offshore
oil and gas production. The func-
tionality and thermal capability of ing achievement and is the culmi- Energy consumption is increasing
ABB’s subsea power distribution nation of inspirational at an unprecedented pace with
and conversion technology has growth in the global economy. In
been validated in a 3000-hour shal- technology development achieved 2018, for example, nearly 70 per-
low water test, and now, energy through tremendous dedication, cent of energy demand was met by
companies will be able to access expertise and perseverance,” said fossil fuels.
a reliable and consistent supply Dr Peter Terwiesch, president of
of up to 100 megawatts of power ABB’s Industrial Automation busi- Even as the composition of energy
over distances up to 600 kilometres ness: supply evolves, it is anticipated that
and down to a depth of 3,000 me- as much as 40 percent of global
ters, at pressures that could shatter “It is the result of intensive collab- energy demands will continue to be
a brick. oration between over 200 scientists met by fossil fuels by 2050.
and engineers from ABB, Equinor,
MANY BENEFITS Total and Chevron in a multiyear, Offshore oil and gas operators
Anticipated benefits include im- joint effort.” have a clear vision for a safer,
provements in reliability, safety, more energy-efficient future. As
productivity, efficiency and perfor- CHANGING ENERGY CONSUMPTION available resources are used in
mance. The cable will electrify the ocean mature basins, the focus of energy
space to help operators better meet operators will shift to new and
Using a specific field development energy needs in remote subsea frontiers. By pow-
case as one example, the new ering pumps and compressors on
technology could offer CAPEX the future. It will require little or the seabed closer to the reservoir,
savings of more than $500 million, no maintenance for up to 30 years, ABB’s subsea power distribution
if eight consumers, such as pumps enabling oil and gas exploration and conversion technology can
or compressors, are linked through and making production feasible in significantly reduce power con-
a single cable over a distance of 200 new underwater frontiers, and will sumption. There is potential for
km from other infrastructure. bring the majority of the world”s substantial energy savings, with
offshore oil and gas resources with- reduced carbon emissions using
“This milestone marks an outstand- in reach for electrification. power from the shore. n

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