Optimizing Power Supply to Reduce Emissions

EldfiskThe installation of a new offshore power cable from the Eldfisk Complex to the Eldfisk Bravo platform in the Norwegian North Sea in 2019 was the final step in integrating the power grid serving the Greater Ekofisk Area. The effort replaces power from diesel generators with surplus capacity electricity from existing low nitrous oxide (NOx) generators at the Ekofisk Complex and the steam generator at Eldfisk 2/7 E.

The 3.73 mile (6 kilometer) cable provides electricity to support both day-to-day and drilling operations and was installed along existing water and gas pipelines. The fiber optics within the cable replaced the old radio link communication to the Complex and has opened the door for possible future remote operations of Bravo.

Replacing the diesel generators will result in reductions in our NOx and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, reduced noise levels and less exposure to exhaust gas by workers. The project could yield annual emission reductions of as much as 165 tonnes of NOx and up to 1,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions. Improved production reliability is also expected, as well as reduced operating and maintenance costs. Two diesel generators will be retained as backup generators in the event of a power failure in critical phases of future drilling activities.

Norway’s NOx Fund allocated 73 million kroner (about $8.2 million) in investment assistance based on this estimated NOx reduction, funding approximately 36% of project cost.

The Greater Ekofisk Area, located approximately 300 kilometers (200 miles) offshore Stavanger, is comprised of four producing fields: Ekofisk, Eldfisk, Embla and Tor. Crude oil from Greater Ekofisk’s producing fields is exported via pipeline to Teesside, England, and natural gas flows via pipeline to Emden, Germany.