New technologies and solutions are increasingly more critical in the oil industry to develop marginal fields and maintain the oil production rates of more mature fields. In recent years several successful water injection systems have been implemented and new subsea water treatment technologies are under development, enhancing the methodologies and techniques used. This paper describes the potential use of floating wind turbines for powering subsea water injection facilities, and discusses these systems technical and economic feasibility compared to current solutions. Based on the results of the feasibility study performed, the key benefits identified for wind-powered water injection are as follows:
The concept is, to a large extent, based on commercially off-the-shelf components and systems. Many of the remaining parts are already undergoing full-scale testing;
WIN WIN meets performance requirements for a wide range of injection volumes and multiple reservoir types;
The concept can be cost-competitive, especially when the host platform capacity is limited or injection wells are located far away;
Power to platforms is normally supplied with gas turbines. Reducing power demand from these by running water injection with wind power will reduce emissions considerably;
The inherent flexibility of the WIN WIN concept means that more water injection locations can be targeted through easy relocation, regardless of distance to platform;
Building on the strength of two industries, oil and gas joins forces with wind to achieve something greater together, enabling a faster transition of floating wind turbine technology to market.
Water injection is a frequently used and highly effective means of increasing oil recovery from offshore reservoirs. It also entails high power consumption, and costly infrastructure. Floating offshore wind turbines are now in full-scale prototype testing, building on years of successful offshore wind experience. Costs are approaching competitive levels through industry learning and technology development.
