ABB wins order for Norwegian platform electrification 30 August 2012

ABB has won an order from Statoil to install high voltage subsea cables to supply power for the Troll A gas platform off the coast of Norway.

The contract includes pre-studies, cable laying and installation of 350 km of high voltage ac and dc cables, as well as project management and engineering services.

The ac cable will supply power to the safety and automation systems, while the dc cables supply power to two new gas compressors.

With this new contract, ABB's orders in connection with the installation of the two new compressors on the Troll A platform amounts to $360 million.

When completed, the Troll A platform will be equipped with two HVDC Light installations from ABB, enabling its gas compressors to be powered from shore.

Veli-Matti Reinikkala, head of ABB's Process Automation division, explains that, over time, as the oil and gas is extracted, the subsea reservoir pressure will drop, and production decrease, unless the pressure is maintained by gas compression.

The installation of two new gas compressors will improve production capacity and extend the lifespan of the world's largest offshore natural gas platform.

"Reliable power from shore will contribute to safe and efficient operations of the gas compressors," comments Reinikkala.

"Statoil has already had good experience with a similar system since 2005," said he continues.

Troll A inaugurated its first power from shore solution in 2005, and the new system will be operational from 2014.

Both systems are based on ABB's compact HVDC Light concept, for the efficient transmission of power over very long distances.

The Troll A concrete deep water structure is the world's largest natural gas production platform – 473 metres tall and weighing 1.2 million tons.

The platform can produce 120 million cubic metres per day, and is estimated to contain 40% of the natural gas reserves on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

Brian Tinham

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