The Goliat field, located in the Barents Sea above Norway, is the northernmost oil field in the world. It is claimed it will process up to 100,000 barrels of oil a day and store nearly a million barrels of oil, which will then be transferred to shore by tankers.
ABB’s high-voltage AC three-core cable system includes a 104km static cable section on the sea floor, and a 1.5km long dynamic cable section. The high power rating enables an increased energy supply if needed, to provide power for additional fields in the future using the same cable system. The 75MW, 123kV capacity link will supply around 50% of the platform’s electricity needs from shore, cutting carbon dioxide emissions by half as a result of reduced fossil fuel consumption in the gas turbines.
The dynamic cable section hangs in the water between the platform and the seabed and has been specifically designed to withstand substantial mechanical stress and fatigue caused by currents, waves and the vertical movement of the platform. An important feature of the solution is an innovative corrugated metal sheath for this section, designed to withstand the rigors of time.
Patrick Fragman, managing director of ABB’s Grid Systems business, said: “Reliable shore supplied power from the mainland grid will help to reduce the Goliat platform's environmental impact, and ensure a safe and efficient operation.”
ABB’s rugged high-voltage polymeric XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene) submarine cables are said to minimise electrical losses and have an excellent tensile strength, suiting them for harsh marine environments. The cable also has integrated fibre optics to monitor temperature and provide general communication services.
ABB has commissioned more than 25 direct current (DC) and hundreds of AC cable links around the world, including power links to the Abu Safah oilfield in the Persian Gulf and Statoil’s Troll A oil and gas platform in the North Sea.
