In an “industry first” AkerBP has Maersk Invincible is being supplied with electricity through the Valhall field.
The firm said it was “probably the first time ever a drilling rig is being powered fully from shore”.
Valhall field director Per Mikal Hauge said: “This is a pioneer project for Aker BP. Electrifying the drilling rig allows us to significantly cut local CO2 and NOx emissions. This is in line with our strategy of developing solutions that contribute to minimising the environmental consequences of our activities.”#
Calculations show that electrification of the drilling rig will reduce local emissions by 15,200 tonnes of CO2 and 168 tonnes of NOx every year.
The Maersk Invincible is currently plugging a total of 18 wells from the Valhall DP platform.
“The Valhall field receives power from Lista through a 294-km long subsea cable. We had available power supply capacity and Maersk Drilling made a commitment to facilitate electrification of the Maersk Invincible when it was built in South Korea,” Hauge added.
The rig receives power from the Valhall IP platform through a 500-metre high-voltage cable. Modifications were necessary to prepare for power supply to the rig.
Aker BP has received award of support up to NOK 42 million from the Norwegian business sector’s NOx Fund for the electrification project.
“Aker BP wants to prevent harm to the environment through energy efficiency and reducing emissions to air. With the electrification of Maersk Invincible, we are reducing our emissions even further,” Hauge said.
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