Floating Wind Turbines in Oil and Gas Activity - From a Human Interaction Perspective

Abstract

According to the IPCCs Fifth Assessment Report, warming in the climate is unequivocal and limiting climate change will require substantial and sustained reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emission is burning fossil fuel, so in order to reduce emissions we need to transition to renewable energy sources.

Offshore floating wind is one alternative with huge potential, as the most persistent winds are found at sea. The technology is maturing, but experience from commercial projects are needed to build confidence in the technology and drive costs down. A potential opportunity for a commercial market is the offshore oil and gas industry, where wind power may provide a cost-competitive solution, and in addition contribute to reducing emissions from oil production.

The department of Renewables Advisory at DNV GL (Det Norske Veritas Germanischer Lloyd), are looking at associated challenges and opportunities regarding all aspects

of such a system that combines the two industries. This thesis is part of that work.

The main objectives of the thesis is to map opportunities and challenges regarding human interaction in the system, and develop a concept for organisation of responsibilities, placement and transport, to mitigate the associated risks.

The system considered in this study is an autonomous system with wind turbines

powering water injection for increased oil recovery. Water injection is an energy intensive process, but also provides an exciting opportunity for wind power, as it does not require stable power supply and therefore can handle the intermittent power from wind turbines.

Introducing wind power to oil production may potentially increase the complexity of the system and create challenges from a human interaction point of view. In this study, the following main challenges have been identified:

A combination of the two systems might lead to added stress

for the operators Increased risk due to longer

transportation Added pressure on mechanics/

electricians to take risks during maintenance.

However, there are not only challenges. Introducing wind power also gives certain benefits from the user s point of view. The main ones identified in this study are:

Decreased local pollution on platform

Exchange of experience between the two industries

Overall, the conclusion is that the human interaction challenges are manageable, as long as they are adequately addressed at an early stage of the system development.