ABB (www.abb.com) has won an order from Statoil (www.statoil.com) to install high voltage subsea cables to supply power to the Troll A gas platform on the western coast of Norway.
The Troll A concrete deep water structure is the world’s largest natural gas production platform. The platform can produce as much as 120 million cubic meters per day; it contains approximately 40% of the natural gas reserves on the Norwegian Continental Shelf and is a cornerstone of the gas supply to the European Continent.
The ABB contract includes pre-studies, cable laying and installation of 350 kms of high voltage AC and DC cables, as well as project management and related engineering services. The AC cable will supply power to the safety and automation systems, the DC cables will supply power to two new gas compressors.
When completed, the Troll A platform will be equipped with two HVDC Ligh tinstallations from ABB, enabling the gas compressors on board to be powered from shore. Over time, as the oil and gas is extracted, the subsea reservoir rpressure drops and production decreases 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.