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Bergey Windpower Case Study Persian Gulf, off Saudi Arabia |
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Cathodic Protection of Offshore Platform |
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Saudi ARAMCO operates a number of oil production platforms in the Persian Gulf
and many of these platforms have no electrical power beyond a few solar modules
for communications and navigational aids. One of the major operating
expenses for these platforms is the need to replace corroded well casings every
5-8 years. Studies by ARAMCO have shown that the frequency of this work
could be dramatically reduced through the use of impressed-current cathodic
protection. After looking at a number of alternatives to supplying the
electricity for such a system, ARAMCO concluded that wind power was a least-cost
approach.
After researching wind power for several years and conducting an international bid, ARAMCO awarded BWC a contract in late 1997 to design and supply a complete power system for a pilot project. The system had to be capable of supplying up to 300A at an adjustable voltage between 8-20 VDC and had to be designed around the restricted space on a working oil production platform. Fierce corrosion, Class 1 Explosion-proof zones, daily temperatures up to 50 deg. C (122 deg. F), difficult logistics, and the need to accommodate work-over barges made for a challenging system design. BWC delivered a completely integrated and fully tested system in August 1998 and assisted with its installation and commissioning in January 1999. The system includes a data acquisition system for performance monitoring. The equipment has been 100% available since installation. |
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