ABB gets grant to continue subsea power studies

May 12, 2017
The Research Council of Norway has awarded ABB a three-year grant of NOK10 million ($1.6 million) to support development of subsea power systems.

Offshore staff

OSLO, Norway – The Research Council of Norway has awarded ABB a three-year grant of NOK10 million ($1.6 million) to support development of subsea power systems.

ABB has been working with various companies since 2013 on a joint industry project with the aim of advancing Statoil’s vision for anautonomous subsea factory that can be powered and controlled from shore.

The participants aim to develop equipment that can transmit electrical power up to 100 MW, delivered over a distance of 600 km (373 mi), and which can operate in water depths of 3,000 m (9,842 ft) for 30 years, with little or no maintenance.

ABB has moved from laboratory testing of physical principles to manufacturing sub-assemblies and prototypes. The first installation of subsea power products at a real offshore production site is likely to start in 2020.

This is the company’s third award under the Council’sDEMO2000 initiative. DEMO2000 promotes the long-term competitiveness of the Norwegian oil and gas industry by helping companies, suppliers, and research institutes to collaborate with the development and testing of prototypes, before moving to the offshore installation of production models.

The Research Council of Norway has allocated NOK85 million ($9.9 million) in support of oil and gas research, with 13 projects receiving funding.

05/12/2017