Draugen oil platform evaluated as first-use of Norwegian floating power plant

Odfjell Oceanwind has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Norwegian exploration and production company OKEA and utility TrønderEnergi to evaluate the use of a floating windfarm connected to the Draugen platform.

The intention is to use renewable electricity from the floating windfarm to provide power to the Draugen platform and utilize its infrastructure, including a cable from shore to the platform which is also being planned.

The windfarm could also serve as a flexible storage location for Odfjell Oceanwind’s Mobile Offshore Wind Units (MOWUs), producing renewable energy in between contract periods for off-grid applications.

MOWUs are floating wind turbines that can move from location to location as and when there is a need for renewable power. Odfjell Oceanwind believes they are well-suited to providing power to oil and gas installations that require power for a limited period.

The study will include early stage technical, economic and regulatory evaluation, as well as the potential impact on the environment and climate.

Odfjell Oceanwind chief executive Per Lund said, “We look forward to further exploring this exciting opportunity in close collaboration with OKEA and TrønderEnergi.

“The Draugen windfarm project also fits well with Odfjell Oceanwind’s long-term strategy to become a leading global floating wind O&M and technology provider.”

In August 2021, Odfjell Oceanwind was awarded a pre-project grant from Enova, Norway’s fund for climate and energy technology, to mature its first commercial contracts for MOWUs and its ‘WindGrid’ concept to electrify oil and gas installations.

The Draugen oil field was discovered in 1984 by Shell. A plan for development and operation was approved in 1988, and production started in 1993. The platform is in a water depth of 250 m. OKEA took over operation of Draugen in 2018.

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