Written by: Suhaib Shams
Oil and gas companies are moving toward integrating wind energy into production operations to reduce their carbon footprint, while ensuring energy supply security. This sustainable approach is based on three key applications that support operational efficiency and enhance efforts to transition toward a low-carbon economy.
Three Main Paths for Wind Applications
Replacing part or all of the gas-generated power relies on application models including direct connection of offshore platforms, supplying onshore facilities with renewable electricity, and utilizing surplus energy to produce green hydrogen. Direct connection of offshore platforms is considered the most mature model, where floating or fixed wind farms are connected to platforms via subsea cables to provide a primary source of electricity while keeping gas turbines as a backup for when wind speeds are low.
Successful Global Experiences in Numbers
Notable projects in the North Sea have achieved remarkable results in reducing emissions by supplying oil and gas platforms with electricity directly through floating wind turbines. These projects contribute to covering a large percentage of the annual electricity needs for the facilities, reducing hundreds of thousands of tons of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides annually, and enhancing the feasibility of transitioning to sustainable operations.
Economic and Environmental Benefits
These technologies contribute to reducing the cost of self-consumed fuel and making more natural gas available for other purposes, in addition to avoiding high carbon costs in regions subject to emissions trading schemes. These efforts also support extending the lifespan of fields and improving the environmental rating of companies operating in the sector by leveraging renewable resources available in promising regions regionally and globally.
