ABB and Statoil deal to develop deepwater subsea power and control 09 September 2013

ABB is partnering with Statoil to develop solutions for transmission, distribution and power conversion – aimed at powering and controlling ultra-deep subsea pumps and compressors at depths of 3,000 meters over vast distances.

The automation technology group and the Norwegian oil and gas giant both believe that their $100 million R&D programme is an important step on the way to developing complete subsea oil and gas producing facilities.

Statoil is leading the five-year project on behalf of other oil companies, while ABB is responsible for developing the new technology.

Their agreement follows a subsea power study by Statoil and ABB last year, and both organisations say that the new programme is likely to prove pivotal in developing extraction projects planned for the Norwegian continental shelf and the Gulf of Mexico, among others.

Veli-Matti Reinikkala, head of ABB's Process Automation division, makes the point that subsea pumping and gas compression contribute to improved utilisation of oil and gas resources through greater recovery rates and reduced costs – particularly in deep water production.

Subsea electric power distribution technology enables several electric loads, such as pumps and compressors, to be supplied through a single power cable. This will reduce investment costs significantly, compared to existing solutions using one cable for each load.

Reinikkala says that the new technology should make savings of more than $500 million, if, for example, eight loads are linked through a single cable over a distance of 200 km from other infrastructure.

Brian Tinham

Related Companies
ABB Ltd
Statoil UK Gas Limited

This material is protected by MA Business copyright
See Terms and Conditions.
One-off usage is permitted but bulk copying is not.
For multiple copies contact the sales team.