Xodus studies electrification of Harbour's UK platforms

UK consultancy Xodus reported on July 30 that it was undertaking a study on the infrastructure and modifications that would be needed to electrify Harbour Energy's platforms in the UK's central North Sea.

Xodus earlier completed a power optimisation study for Harbour, on how generation systems at the Lomond and Everest gas platforms could be rationalised. The consultancy has studied subsea and topside equipment, to assess how they could be electrified, and looked at potential cost savings in terms of fuel usage and maintenance work.

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By electrifying their platforms, operators can reduce their Scope 1 and 2 emissions by replacing natural gas and diesel-powered generators with wind power and other renewable energy resources. The Oil & Gas Authority estimated in a report last year that full electrification could reduce oil and gas operational emissions on the UK shelf by 2-3mn metric tons of CO₂/year, equivalent to 20% of current production emissions, and rising to 40% by 2030.

Electrification can also cut costs and extend the operational lives of assets, according to the OGA.

"A study of this nature requires an integrated multi-discipline engineering team that understands the critical elements of both renewable energy and traditional oil and gas operations in order to identify the true challenges and opportunities associated with large scale electrification of existing oil and gas assets," Xodus' concept development manager James McAreavey commented. "This study has the potential to provide essential input to the wider oil and gas community within the North Sea to enable a significant reduction of carbon emissions from offshore operations."

In another move to improve its environmental credentials, Harbour announced in mid-July it had signed on to a World Bank initiative to eliminate routine flaring by 2030.