Norwegian energy company Statoil has announced the production start of what it says is the world’s first subsea gas compression facility at the Åsgard field in the Norwegian Sea. The facility features two MAN Diesel & Turbo HOFIM motor-compressor units which were supplied to Statoil contractor Aker Solutions.
“This technology represents a quantum leap for the entire oil and gas industry, which is closely monitoring the subsea developments in Norway” said MAN Diesel & Turbo CEO Uwe Lauber.
The subsea technology raises recovery rates while reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions of oil and gas production.
While the natural pressure of the reservoir is constantly decreasing, the motor-compressor units help to extend the reservoirs’ productive life on the Åsgard field for another 15 years. Overall, 306 million barrels of oil equivalent will be added.
“After an extensive development, qualification and testing program, we’re very excited to see our units in operation,” said MAN head of engineering and development Patrik Meli.
“Our remotely controlled, encapsulated and emission-free HOFIM compressor met all the requirements needed for a maintenance-free operation on the sea bed.”
The project required an extremely robust motor-compressor design in order to withstand the harsh conditions of subsea environments 300 metres below sea level. The adapted subsea HOFIM features a tailored motor design, casings designed for 220 bar pressure, a 7-axes active magnetic bearing system and a special cooling gas extraction.
While the first compressor train has started production, the second train is under commissioning.