Unlocking the UK Continental Shelf Electrification Potential for Offshore Oil and Gas Installations: A Power Grid Architecture Perspective

Mohamed Elgenedy, Khaled Ahmed, Graeme Burt, Graeme Rogerson and Greg Jones
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Mohamed Elgenedy: Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK
Khaled Ahmed: Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK
Graeme Burt: Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK
Graeme Rogerson: Net Zero Technology Center, Aberdeen AB15 4ZT, UK
Greg Jones: Net Zero Technology Center, Aberdeen AB15 4ZT, UK

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 21, 1-18

Abstract: Most of the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) oil and gas (OG) installations have traditionally adopted in situ power generation, which is not only inefficient but also generating about 70% of the offshore CO 2 emissions. The offshore wind and energy storage technologies for deep water are developing at a fast pace, enabling great opportunities for the OG installations located in the North Sea. In this paper, a pathway for the UKCS offshore OG installations electrification is introduced. The aim is to provide different power architectures that facilitate the OG installations’ electrification, while benefiting from the existing and planned UK offshore wind power. Four hypothetical case studies (based on real data) were created, along the UKCS, where the corresponding power architectures were proposed. The selection of each architecture power component (e.g., transformers, converters and cables), as well as the transmission and distribution technology (e.g., AC or DC), is also provided and justified. Further, an overview cost estimation is carried out to predict the architecture capital cost. It is concluded that the four architectures can be mimicked not only along the UKCS but also worldwide, promoting the UKCS potential for a world-leading offshore energy hub and fostering the UK offshore wind-energy resources.

Keywords: CapEx; CO 2 emissions; HVDC; net-zero; offshore; oil and gas; UKCS; wind energy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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