Exploration • Drilling • Field Services
CO2 E
emissions: the economic incentive As new CO2 European emissions guidelines come into force in 2020, state-of-the-
art technology provides a strong economic incentive to ensure implementation. Femke Schaefer reports.
uropean CO2 emission guidelines require
significant reductions to be implemented by 2020. Te costs of these sustainability measures are substantial. As the industries involved have so far failed to demonstrate a
strong intrinsic motivation, an additional incentive seems necessary to ensure implementation. Not all sustainability measures on drilling platforms and FPSOs result in increased costs. New state-of-the-art technology undeniably offers numerous opportunities to generate considerable energy savings in industrial cooling and heating applications. Tese improvements to drilling platforms and FPSOs also produce economic benefits with an excellent ROI. All that is required is a willingness to use the technology which is already available and which has proven itself in other fields of activity.
Energy saving FPSOs and platforms require large amounts of energy, often self-generated. Te power consumption of the various pieces of equipment on a platform, including the air cooled coolers, is therefore often restricted. Reducing energy demand on a platform may result in a lower power package – a power reduction of up to 2MW, for example. However, this would limit the cooling capacity on a platform or FPSO. New technologies ensure that no limitation of the cooling capacity is required in order to increase production. Furthermore, a reduction in power consumption is achieved, resulting in the use of
smaller power units and thus a reduction in the environmental load due to fewer CO2
emissions.
Size does matter On an FPSO, reduction in the space occupied by equipment means greater storage capacity and additional space for maintenance and repairs. At present, old oil tankers are converted into FPSOs. As the overall inner dimensions of the tank cannot be altered, it is imperative to reduce the size of the equipment. However advantages can be achieved, especially
in new construction. Smaller process equipment enables the construction of smaller new platforms and FPSOs, generating massive economic benefits.
Weight: Lighter equipment means a reduction in the weight of the supporting constructions of an FPSO or platform and thus the weight of the entire module. On an FPSO, this creates a lower centre of gravity. Te Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN) predicts the behaviour of offshore rigs and underlines the importance of the correct location of the centre of gravity for good performance in stormy weather. Less weight also increases the choice of shipyards with the required crane capacity, meaning more competition and lower investments.
Maintenance: Offshore work is generally regarded as one of the world’s riskiest occupations. During equipment maintenance, there is a real risk to people and the environment as a result of leaks,
Fig. 1. Bronswerk Compact Header Design Heat Exchanger.
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