Skf magnetic bearings set up in world’s first subsea gas compression system run by statoil

2015 November 10, 13:00

CEST

SKF magnetic bearings equip the very first ever subsea gas compression system in the Statoil-operated Åsgard gas field close to the Norwegian coast.

Gothenburg, Norway, 10 November, 2015: SKF has provided magnetic bearings to be used within the world’s first subsea gas compression system in the Åsgard gas field from the Norwegian coast. Included in the subsea gas compression system, the bearings will lead to recovering additional gas volumes from depleting gas fields in addition to extending the duration of individuals gas fields which may well be prematurely closed.

Typically, gas compression is created on platforms. For Åsgard, Statoil and it is partners made a decision to discover it around the seabed, close to the wellheads, to maximise gas recovery and for that reason prolong considerably the development existence duration of this gas field.

SKF’s magnetic bearing technology would be a key enabler to do this autonomous deep water subsea gas compression system. The bearing simplifies the machine architecture by removing the requirement for components for example lubricating oil, seals and gear box. The the magnetic bearings are integrated within the compressor casing, stopping gas leakage and allowing a smaller sized ecological footprint. In addition, the magnetic bearings are frictionless, enabling greater rotation speeds, resulting in smaller sized compressor modules and eventually lighter processing plant infrastructure.

“This is a superb achievement after 5 years of intense development, qualification and tests" states Jérémy Lepelley, SKF Magnetic Mechatronics (S2M) Subsea Manager. Compressing gas on the subsea installation is really a significant advance for that gas and oil sector. SKF magnetic bearings let the gas compression system to become completely oil-free, extremely reliable.”

SKF was awarded anything in May 2011 by MAN Diesel & Turbo, the OEM from the 11,5 MW electric-motor-driven centrifugal compressor running on SKF’s magnetic bearings.

The mechanical modules were put together within the compressor frames in 2013, following a validation from the technology by Statoil, and also the two units have since that time gone through “burn-in” time, accumulating greater than 2000 hrs each, just before installation subsea.

Additionally to offering the magnetic bearings, SKF has additionally provided a control system which helps remote operation from the magnetic bearing system. This facilitates the efficient and effective utilisation of the magnetic bearings, from initial commissioning to safe daily operation and maintenance planning.

The magnetic bearings happen to be tested and qualified in wet gas conditions much like individuals based in the North Ocean, making certain the bearings provide the same high end in subsea applications because they do theoretically. Additionally, the magnetic bearing control system continues to be targeted at use within harsh marine environments. It has been achieved via a special redundancy design by which components are put together within an enclosure that may withstand subsea conditions.

Aktiebolaget SKF

(publ)

For more information, please contact:

Press Relations: Nia Kihlström, +46 31-337 2897 +46 706 67 28 97 nia.kihlstrom@skf.com

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