Abstract
There is an increased need for cost effective subsea technology to enable oil companies to have more flexibility in system architecture and also enable access to developments in deeper water and with longer step-outs than before. As the current subsea production systems struggle to meet those challenges, the need for a suitable, flexible and cost efficient technology has emerged. All-Electric systems have this capability. By using the Aker Solutions developed portfolio of products and concepts this paper will show cases of simplified, easy integratable and cost reduced All-Electric solutions that can be installed independent of depth.
The paper will also touch upon the advantages of All-Electric systems in terms of reliability compared to traditional electro/hydraulic systems.
By integrating automotive and telecom competence with subsea expertise, it has been possible to implement a rigorous design-to-cost mind-set in the development of the various All-Electric system building blocks.
All-Electric hardware and software will give large benefits in terms of OPEX and be competitive in CAPEX (in addition to enabling improved environmental impact, increased levels of safety and increased functionality).
Some of these benefits will be further enhanced when applying subsea and downhole All-Electric technology solutions on a wider scale.
The paper explores the potential benefits an All-Electric system can have both in relation to CAPEX and OPEX.
Electric actuation, sensing, integrated power management and control offer the promise of smaller, lighter and more cost effective subsea production systems. They also offer the potential for more precise measurement, control and maintenance monitoring over time compared to their hydraulic counterparts, which enables planned maintenance of equipment, with significant benefits in terms of reduced OPEX.
