Offshore staff
STAVANGER, Norway --Siemens has agreed with Statoil to continue development of the ECO-II seal-less compressor, with a view to producing a subsea version for future use in the Aasgaard field in the Norwegian Sea, possibly in 2013.
Shell Global Solutions and Siemens produced a prototype of the compressor, which currently is operating in the Vries-4 gas field onshore the Netherlands. The seal-less and canned configuration with integrated electric motor drive is said to be unique, and is designed specifically for non-clean compression applications such as acid or sour gas. However, Statoil wants to expand the system to handle further wet and non-clean gas applications beyond its current capabilities.
Following engineering and fabrication, the new design will undergo tests under simulated subsea process conditions at Statoil's K-lab facility in Norway in fall 2008, . During the 165-day program, condensates, water, sand, and other contaminants will be injected into the ECO-II unit. Other tests will include endurance trials and shut-down of the compressor under severe conditions.
09/06/2007
