Oil continues to fuel the modern world. The still growing demand for oil and energy has also prompted the industry to extend its reaches to tap rich offshore deposits. In the past few decades, these offshore oil ventures have ramped up operations in the Asia Pacific. Although it’s a rewarding industry, there’s a unique challenge to power these titan rigs, particularly since they are situated offshore. Also, these platforms have huge power requirements, reaching up to several hundred megawatts.
This is where Cable Sources’ power cables from Singapore come in. They provide the very important uninterrupted power source for these offshore machines.
The Advantage of Offshore Power Cables
Subsea cables are relatively new to the industry compared to the more common gas and diesel generators. With these cables, a rig’s CO2 emissions are completely eliminated. They also save a lot of valuable space and weight on the platform because these cables replace the role of massive generators.
Offshore power cables reduce the risk of fires. According to data by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, In 2017, there were still 73 cases of fires and explosions and 16 cases of gas releases in offshore oil operations. With the use of fire-retardant and fire-resistant cables instead of gas or diesel-powered generators, the work environment becomes safer and healthier. Offshore power cables are also significantly easier to maintain than generators.
Cables save money in the long run. Operating and maintaining generators involve a high financial cost. Diesel generators typically use up 20 to 30 cubic meters of fuel daily. On the other hand, offshore power cables can run power using various cost-effective sources.
Case in Point: Norway’s Power-from-Shore Mission
Norway arguably has the most advanced offshore oil infrastructure. Aside from the country’s expertise in offshore technology, their plethora of renewable sources of energy onshore makes for an excellent partnership with offshore operations.
In the last six years, Norway has been tapping AC and DC power sources from shore to provide energy for its North Sea offshore operations. These power relay systems have been using tailor-made subsea cables that are built to withstand a lot of environmental stresses.
One of Norway’s most exciting prospects lies in the Utsira High region of the North Sea. They are projecting the production of up to 660,000 barrels of oil per day for the next 30 years once operations are in full swing. To power this endeavour, two 200-kilometre parallel DC power cables have been proposed. The project is aiming to operate at 100 percent capacity once its power cables have been laid out by 2022. The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate estimates that the Utsira High venture, through the use of shore-base power, will reduce the country’s CO2 emissions by up to one million tonnes every year.
A Promising Future
The world’s rising demand for energy is being answered by an increasingly more conscious oil industry. Although renewable sources are also on the rise, oil still needs to fill a lot of gaps. Solutions like shore-based power sources for offshore oil platforms are windows to a more promising, sustainable, cost-effective, and responsible future.
Learn about Cable Source’s wide range of cables that help power industries to their safest and most efficient potentials.
