Category Archives: Offshore

German federal government, the coastal states, and the transmission system operators have signed a joint agreement to raise Germanys offshore wind capacity target from 15 GW to 20 GW by 2030.

Following the meeting of the energy ministers last week, the final work on the agreement has now been completed.

With the agreement, all parties are committed to working closely to realize the wind energy expansion in the German North Sea and the Baltic Sea.

The agreement is said to offer concrete milestones and timelines for all involved parties to ensure that the necessary planning and approval steps, as well as the construction of the connection lines and the offshore wind farms, go hand in hand.

Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) will continue to update the area development plan and identify the areas needed for the additional capacity by the end of the year.

The Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) had already confirmed the connection lines required for the connection of these new wind farms in the 2019 network development plan.

The coastal states will complete the approval processes in a timely manner and the transmission system operators; TenneT, 50Hertz, and Amprion; will put the offshore connection lines into operation in a timely manner so that the electricity from the future wind farms can be transported without delays, BSH said.

This offshore agreement also implements a requirement from the 2030 climate protection program of October 2019 to conclude a binding agreement with the affected coastal countries and the transmission system operators as a prerequisite for raising the offshore target to 20 GW.

In the future, the project timelines will be checked regularly so that delays are identified at an early stage and appropriate measures are taken quickly, BSH said.

View post:

Germany Raises 2030 Offshore Wind Target to 20 GW - Offshore WIND

Orsteds UK boss last night called on the countrys offshore wind sector to pick export battles like to the North Sea oil and gas industry and win them on a global stage.

Benj Sykes, Orsteds UK vice-president and chairman of the UK Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC), said the prize in the sector would be the ability to globally export skills and services.

Mr Sykes, who has previously worked for Shell and Hess, urged the UK offshore wind sector to follow the lead shown by the north-easts subsea oil and gas industry.

Speaking during the All-Energy Conference 2020 webinar, he said: This is a global market and were talking about huge volumes well over 1000 gigawatts (GW) globally.

The prize in this industry is to be good at exporting, to have goods and services that the world wants.

I come from an oil and gas background, I have seen the success of the subsea oil and gas industry of exporting the capabilities developed in Aberdeen and the north-east and how theyve taken it globally.

What I would like to see is for us to find ways to do the same, we need to pick our battles and we need to win them on a global stage.

Mr Sykes and ScottishPower Renewables Jonathan Cole also tipped floating wind sector to be big, if the industry develops over the next five years.

Mr Cole, whose firm recently announced trials with Norwegian Olav Olsen on floating wind technology, said UK authorities had to start taking floating wind more seriously if it wants to get anywhere near the 75GW target to meet net zero.

But he warned that getting big depends on a couple of factors.

Mr Cole said: Right now, comparing floating to fixed-bottom offshore wind, floating is way more expensive because the structures are bigger and theyre more expensive.

But the advantage it has is that its much more prone to mass production and install ability is much easier if you have the right infrastructure in place.

But in order to take advantage of that you need to have scale and a rationalisation of the technology race that were in theres more than 60 concepts right now.

What you need in the next five years is enough scale of projects coming into the market and enough technologies to take that scale and use it to start driving the cost down.

If that happens, its entirely conceivable that floating can make a contribution to the 2030 target, but its all about timing.

Eventually floating is going to be a big part of our industry.

View post:

Offshore wind must mimic North Sea export 'battles' and 'win them on a global stage', Orsted boss says - News for the Oil and Gas Sector - Energy...

Swedish floating offshore wind technology developer Hexicon is working with Genesis Eco-Energy Developments to explore opportunities for project development off South Africa.

A joint venture company Genesis-Hexicon has been set up to drive development, the partners said.

They said the purpose of the JV is to jointly develop large-scale floating wind projects, contribute to the Oceans Economy and clean energy targets for South Africa, and transfer the Hexicon IP for deep water deployment in the South African market.

Hexicon chief executive Henrik Baltscheffsky said: This is the winning formula for large scale energy production in South Africa, one of the top 10 long term markets on the planet for deep water deployment.

We are proud to have teamed up with Genesis Eco-Energy Developments that since 2002 has a proven track record developing onshore wind and solar projects and also collaborating with the government stakeholders in shaping the renewable energy policies in South Africa.

Genesis Eco-Energy Developments managing director Davin Chown said: As one of South Africa's pioneering wind energy development companies, the logistical progression for Genesis will be to focus offshore along South Africa's coastline which has abundant unexplored resources.

This is an ideal opportunity to explore the deployment of this innovative floating wind technology from Hexicon.

Now is the right time to start to develop the South Africa offshore wind energy market and contribute to Operation Phakisa, the Oceans Economy programme.

More:

Hexicon JV eyes offshore wind in South Africa - reNEWS

rsted has provided an update on the ongoing offshore construction work at the 752 MW Borssele 1 + 2 offshore wind farm in the Dutch North Sea, saying that all activities are going according to plans.

So far, DEMEs installation vessel Innovation has installed 73 out of the 94 monopile foundations at the site some 23 kilometres off the coast of Zeeland.

The installation of the Nexans inter-array cables has reached a halfway point. Van Oord has installed 47 out of the 94 inter-array cables. Van Oord has deployed its dedicated cable-laying vessel Nexus and the trencher Dig-It to install and bury the 94 inter-array cables to a depth of 2 metres.

The wind farms first foundation was installed mid-January and the first inter-array cable was put in place at the end of February.

The installation of the wind farms turbines started in mid-April. So far, DEMEs jack-up Sea Challenger has installed eleven out of the 94 Siemens Gamesa 8 MW units. The wind farm delivered its first power at the end of April.

Borssele 1+2is expected to be completed by the end of 2020 when it will become the largest offshore wind farm in the Dutch North Sea.

Read the rest here:

Borssele 1+2 Construction Team Not Skipping a Beat - Offshore WIND

Johan Castberg turret mooring system manifold load-out.

(Courtesy SBM Offshore)

Offshore staff

MONACO SBM Offshore has provided updates on its FPSO construction programs.

Shortly after the Fast4Ward MPF hull of the Liza Unity for the Liza field offshore Guyana arrived in Singapore in February it was moved into dry-dock for integration of the mooring structures and lifting of the first topsides modules onto the vessel.

Once the dry-dock phase is over, the hull will be transferred back to the integration quayside to complete topsides lifting and integration.

Due to COVID-19, yards in Singapore are currently closed, but yards in China have re-opened and are running near normal capacity, SBM says, following closure due to the Chinese New Year and COVID-19 restrictions.

The keel has been laid for the Fast4Ward MPF hull for the FPSO Sepetiba for the Sepia field offshore Brazil, and topsides fabrication has started in China and Brazil.

To date SBM has ordered five Fast4Ward hulls, three of which are allocated. The third of these is for the FPSO Prosperity for ExxonMobils Payara field development in the Staborek block offshore Guyana, although that project remains subject to government approvals and authorization to proceed with the next phase.

Construction has started on hull number four and is progressing in accordance with SBMs execution plan.

As for the companys offshore vessel fleet, various cases of COVID-19 have been identified, but the response plans have been effective to date, in some cases supported by deep decontamination measures.

SBM is charging the incremental costs from implementation of these additional measures to clients in the case of reimbursable contracts. Otherwise costs are being borne by the relevant operating companies in which SBM has an ownership stake.

The 100%-owned Thunder Hawk semisubmersible production platform was temporarily shut down due to COVID-19 impacts at the end of April.

05/14/2020

Continued here:

Fast4Ward FPSO hulls progressing despite COVID-19 - Offshore Oil and Gas Magazine

The semisubmersible West Phoenix managed the dual drilling operation at the Fenja field offshore Norway.

(Courtesy Seadrill)

Offshore staff

LONDON Neptune Energy has performed what it claims is the worlds first dual drilling operation from an integrated subsea template structure at the Fenja field in the Norwegian Sea.

Seadrills semisubmersible West Phoenix managed the program as part of the current development drilling campaign on Fenja. Neptunes goal was to maximize the rigs full capabilities by drilling two wellbores at the same time.

Although dual drilling is not new, this first application from an integrated subsea template structure accelerated drilling operations, the company said, lowering costs and operational emissions.

During the dual drilling operation.(Courtesy Seadrill)

Thor Andre Lvoll, Neptunes director of Drilling and Wells in Norway, said: Several drilling rigs have two drilling facilities where these traditionally support one another.

However, in the instance of our operations we decided to use these facilities independently to concurrently drill two wellbores.

The experience of dual drilling on Fenja has been positive and could see this method adopted as a more standard practice in the future. The current challenges in the market encourage us to re-think the way we do things safely, efficiently, and with lower carbon emissions.

Previously the company had tried dual drilling on an exploration well elsewhere on the Norwegian continental shelf, and decided to apply that experience toward Fenja, its first operated development on the shelf.

The field, which holds an estimated 97 MMboe, is 120 km (74.6 mi) northwest of Kristiansund in a water depth of 320 m (1,050 ft), and is being developed as a tieback to Equinors Njord-A platform.

Its 36-km (22-mi) electrically trace-heated pipe-in-pipe subsea development will be the worlds longest, Neptune claims. At peak, Fenja should produce around 40,000 boe/d.

05/13/2020

View post:

Dual drilling operation speeds Fenja oil and gas field development offshore mid-Norway - Offshore Oil and Gas Magazine

Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) is investing 200m in a French offshore wind farm project.

CPP Investments, via its European arm, is paying 80 for a 49% interest in the entity that holds Enbridges stake in the olien Maritime France project, Enbridges partnership with EDF Renewables.CPP Investments is expected to commit an additional 120m as the first project progresses through construction.

The partnership is developing three offshore wind farms in France with a planned total installed capacity of almost 1.5GW expected to become operational in phases between 2022 and 2024.

CPP Investments said it could make additional investments of more than 150m in the two additional offshore wind farms.

Bruce Hogg, managing director, head of power and renewables, CPP Investments, said: France has established renewables as a cornerstone of its long-term energy plan and this partnership with Enbridge represents significant opportunities to invest in, and develop, flagship offshore wind projects across France, alongside Frances premier energy company, EDF Renewables.

This investment will provide additional diversification to our existing portfolio of assets and deepen our access to future high-quality offshore wind development projects in Europe and Asia.

Read the rest here:

CPP Investments commits 200m to French offshore wind projects - IPE Real Assets

The semisubmersible Island Innovator will drill both wells in the Norwegian Sea for OMV.

(Courtesy Island Drilling)

Offshore staff

OSLO, Norway Two of Norways leading offshore operators have secured approval for exploration drilling.

The Petroleum Safety Authority has sanctioned OMVs plan to drill a well and side track (6506/11-12 S and 6506/11-12) on the Hades prospect in Norwegian Sea license PL 644.

The semisubmersible Island Innovator will drill both wells in a water depth of 433 m (1,420 ft), with the program set to last up to 99 days.

OMV first discovered gas-condensate on the Iris Hades structure in 2018.

In the North Sea, Equinor has permission from the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate to drill well 30/2-5 S, the first on PL 878, which was awarded in early 2017.

The location is around 17 km (10.6 mi) south of the companys Kvitebjorn field. The semisub West Hercules will start the campaign after concluding another wildcat for Equinor in PL 827 S.

(Courtesy Norwegian Petroleum Directorate)

05/12/2020

See the original post:

OMV, Equinor cleared to drill offshore Norway - Offshore Oil and Gas Magazine

A consortium led by Dominion Energy is developing a Jones Act compliant installation vessel for the U.S. offshore wind sector.

Funded by the consortium, the vessel is set to enter service in 2023 and operate on offshore wind projects located off the East Coast.

According to the company, it will be equipped to handle all current turbine technologies, as well as next-generation turbines with a capacity of 12 MW and more.

To remind, Dominion Energy is developing the 2.6 GW Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project, as well as a 12 MW pilot project with the Danish rsted.

The demo project will feature two Siemens Gamesa 6 MW turbines, which are expected to provide the operational, weather, and environmental experience needed for the large-scale development.

Jan De Nuls jack-up installation vessel Vole au vent is currently on its way to pick up the turbines in Halifax, Canada.

See the original post here:

First Jones Act Compliant Offshore Wind Installation Vessel Coming in 2023 - Offshore WIND

Follow CleanTechnica on Google News.

May 9th, 2020 by Tina Casey

If youre wondering why the US is not ready to pepper the Gulf of Mexico with offshore wind turbines, thats a good question. Hurricanes would be one answer. Nevertheless, the US is eyeballing the waters of the Gulf for a tidal wave of new offshore wind farms that would compete on cost with electricity markets in the region. Thats a rich plum indeed, when you consider the popularity of air conditioning in the coastal states of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas and the prospects for job creation as the US economy digs itself out from under the COVID-19 crisis.

Two new NREL/BOEM studies show potential for offshore wind development in the Gulf of Mexico (screenshot via BOEM).

For those of you new to the offshore topic, in past years the US pursued offshore wind with all the swiftness of a turtle with a bum leg and one hand tied behind its back climbing a greased flag pole. While other nations have eagerly cast wind turbines into their coastal waters, the US has been painfully inching along. It currently has a grand total of just five wind turbines spinning off the shores of Rhode Island.

The relatively shallow waters of the Atlantic coast are easy pickings for offshore wind technology, but an organized wind initiative during the Obama administration ran headlong into the usual suspects, and was stymied by state-level politics.

Somewhat ironically, the wind logjam finally broke wide open during the Trump* administration with the full support of the Energy Department and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. A wind power free-for-all is currently under way all along the Atlantic coast.

The Pacific coast is a different kettle of fish. The Continental Shelf drops off steeply, meaning that the water is too deep for conventional fixed-platform wind turbines. Offshore wind development for Pacific coast states depends on technology and cost-cutting improvements in the floating wind turbine area.

That brings us to the Gulf of Mexico. Like the Pacific coast, the Gulf is a less than ideal environment for offshore wind farms. Aside from the hurricane thing, wind speed in the Gulf is relatively slow, and softer soils present a challenge for fixed-platform wind turbines.

Still, last week the Energy Departments National Renewable Energy Laboratory released a pair of reports, funded by BOEM, which aim at identifying pathways for tapping the renewable energy potential of the Gulf waters.

NREL lists the Gulfs shallow water, lower average wave heights, and existing oil and gas infrastructure on the positive side for developing all sorts of ocean energy, including tides and currents, thermal conversion, wave power, and hydrogen conversion in addition to wind turbines.

Wind power beat out the other resources by a wide margin with a potential for 508 gigawatts.

According to NREL, thats double the amount of energy currently consumed among the five Gulf states.

Thats a major smack at oil and gas stakeholders who are already feeling the pain of the COVID-19 economic crisis. Though Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama lag far behind other states in clean tech, they are book-ended by two renewable energy powerhouses, Texas and Florida.

Aside from technology issues, the next big question is whether or not offshore wind can compete in the regional electricity market. NREL looked at that, too, in a separate BOEM-funded study titled, Offshore Wind in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico: Regional Economic Modeling & Site-Specific Analyses.

NREL and BOEM selected two sites in Texas and one in Florida for study, based on their potential for development compared to other possible locations in the Gulf.

The results were promising, though NREL cautions that the analysis assumes that wind turbines in the Gulf would be modified to account for slower wind speeds and, of course, hurricanes.

With adaptive technology in hand, NREL forecasts that some offshore sites in the Gulf could be economically viable by 2030.

NREL also took a dive into the regional economic benefits of offshore wind development and came up with this result, based on a 600-megawatt project at Port Arthur, Texas:

a single offshore wind project could support approximately 4,470 jobs with $445 million in gross domestic product (GDP) during construction and an ongoing 150 jobs with $14 million GDP annually from operation and maintenance labor, materials, and services.

That looks pretty sweet compared to the handful of permanent jobs expected from the notorious Keystone XL tar sands oil pipeline.

Add the new NREL/BOEM reports to a growing pile of evidence indicating that economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis will depend on a healthy dose of clean power.

Follow me on Twitter.

*Developing story.

Image (screenshot): Via US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.

Tags: BOEM, COVID-19, DOE, Electricity, Energy, NREL

Tina Casey specializes in military and corporate sustainability, advanced technology, emerging materials, biofuels, and water and wastewater issues. Tinas articles are reposted frequently on Reuters, Scientific American, and many other sites. Views expressed are her own. Follow her on Twitter @TinaMCasey and Google+.

Read this article:

Dream Big: 508 Gigawatts Of Offshore Wind Potential For COVID-19 Recovery - CleanTechnica