Upgrading Offshore Rig DP Systems Could Cut CO2 Emissions by 5,000t a Year, ADC Energy Says

Monday, October 25, 2021

ADC Energy, an Aberdeen-based offshore rig inspection firm, has announced the completion of a trial with "a major rig owner" that found that an upgrade to Dynamically Positioned (DP) rigs power systems can reduce carbon emissions by nearly 5,000 tonnes per year.

"Typical DP drilling units operate in HV split-bus, or open-bus, configuration with the power management switchboards operating in silos, using an independent island philosophy. However, this mode from a redundancy perspective requires more engines to be online than may be required for the total operational loads, creating a potentially greater emission output," ADC Energy said.

"By upgrading existing rig power management systems to allow for closed-bus mode, which ties the switchboards together, this allows the power plant to run with less engines and optimal loads, therefore delivering a more efficient power source," the company explained.

ADC said its recent project, with an unnamed offshore drilling company, highlighted that DP rigs operating in closed-bus configuration can successfully reduce annual CO2 emissions by 4,800 tonnes per year – delivering a fuel saving of $620,000 per year - while reducing engine running hours by 20%.

"With the number of engines required to be online at one time lowered, the enhancement also provides operators with greater maintenance schedule flexibility, which can create potential maintenance savings of up to $150,000 per annum," the company said.

Austin Hay, Director at ADC Energy said: “There is significant pressure on the oil and gas industry to decarbonize current assets and the findings of our recent project effectively highlight how upgrades to existing systems can actively reduce the carbon footprint of operations.

"We recognize this enhancement requires considerable investment from rig owners and operators but as the sector continues its efforts to deliver more sustainable operations, this capital is essential to support net zero goals. Existing rigs and vessels are critical components in the energy transition, and we are already working with a number of clients to advise them through this process to ensure that assets continue to operate safely and efficiently with minimal environmental impact.”

Categories: Energy Dynamic Positioning Drilling Industry News Activity Drilling Rigs Decarbonization. Drilling

Related Stories

MODEC Wins ExxonMobil Guyana’s Hammerhead FPSO Contract

Sapura Energy Nets $22.6M in Offshore Support Vessel Contracts

Sunda Energy Starts Environmental Consultation for Chuditch-2 Well Drilling Plans

Shell Hires Noble’s Drillship for Work in Southeast Asia

Marine Masters Secures Wellhead Platforms Installation Job Off India

Shell Predicts 60% Rise in LNG Demand by 2040 with Asia Leading the Way

SLB Names Raman CSO, CMO

Initial Drilling Results Raise Questions on South Korea’s Offshore Gas Viability

ADES’ Fourth Suspended Jack-Up Rig Gets Work Offshore Thailand

Flare Gas Recovery Meets the Future

Current News

Hanwha Drilling’s Tidal Action Drillship En Route to Petrobras’ Roncador Field

China's ENN, Zhenhua Oil Ink LNG Supply Deals with ADNOC

MODEC Wins ExxonMobil Guyana’s Hammerhead FPSO Contract

Mitigate SCC & HE to Keep Offshore Metal Structures Ship Shape

India Stretches Bids Deadline for 13 Offshore Deep-Sea Mineral Blocks

Indonesia Awards Oil and Gas Blocks to Boost Reserves

Sapura Energy Nets $22.6M in Offshore Support Vessel Contracts

CNOOC Puts Into Production New Oil Field in South China Sea

Sunda Energy Starts Environmental Consultation for Chuditch-2 Well Drilling Plans

Pakistan’s OGDC to Start Production at ADNOC’s Offshore Block by 2027

Subscribe for AOG Digital E‑News

AOG Digital E-News is the subsea industry's largest circulation and most authoritative ENews Service, delivered to your Email three times per week

https://accounts.newwavemedia.com