West of Shetland O&G field owners explore electrification options
bp, Equinor and Ithaca
Energy have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore electrification
options for their West of Shetland oil and gas interests.
Electrification solutions could include power from shore (potentially from
onshore wind) or from offshore wind. Full electrification would require
in the region of 200 MW of power.
In order to become some of the first oil and gas developments on the UK
continental shelf to be powered by electricity, the project is seeking
to overcome technical challenges presented by the remote and deep-water
locations of the fields, as well as some commercial, regulatory, and consenting
hurdles.
It follows formation
of the West of Shetland Electrification (WoSE) group, acting on behalf
of the joint venture partners of the Clair, Rosebank and Cambo fields.
The WoSE group claims its objective to evaluate options for a hub electrification
concept is aligned with the North Sea Transition Authority's and UK Government's
aim of supporting domestic oil and gas production with the lowest carbon
footprint possible. It also supports the North Sea sector's ambitions to
become a net zero basin and the North Sea Transition Deal agreed between
the UK government and the offshore oil and gas industry in March 2021.
A spokesperson for the WoSE group said: "This initiative seeks
to evaluate the technical, commercial, and regulatory challenges of various
low-carbon power hub solutions to recommend a technically and commercially
viable option that can meet the requirements of the three field owners
within the respective project timeframes.
"Continued production from the West of Shetland supports the UK Government's
drive for home-grown oil and gas with a lower carbon footprint while protecting
the jobs, skills and supply chain needed to drive the energy transition.
Each of the companies in the WoSE group is proud to be playing its part."