Offshore staff
HOVIK, Norway – DNV GL is proposing a new concept for enhanced oil recovery involving wind-powered water injection.
The concept involves integrating a compressor and water treatment equipment into the sub-structure of a floating wind turbine. The latter, DNV GL points out, have emerged as a source for offshore power generation, allowing relatively stable production and flexibility in terms of locations and water depths.
Generated power could be sufficient for various injection technologies, ranging from raw seawater injection to LowSal water injection (low salinity water from a reverse osmosis process).
Equipment could be installed without the need for a costly topsides refit on the platform, DNV GL claims. The system could also be easily relocated following shutdown of a well or field.
“We want to take this concept further together with both the wind energy and oil and gas industries and invite them to participate in a joint industry project (JIP) to carry out an in-depth study – ‘WIN WIN – WINd powered Water Injection’, said Johan Sandberg, service line leader - offshore renewable energy at DNV GL.
“Our studies show that such a stand-alone system can quickly become cost competitive to traditional solutions for injection wells far from the platform,” added Christian Markussen, subsea business development leader at DNV GL Oil & Gas.
“Operators can obtain a new and cost-efficient way to develop marginal reservoirs and enhance production in mature fields. The financial benefits will vary depending on several factors, such as the reservoir characteristics and step-out distance from the production well.”
05/23/2014
