Offshore Gas Turbines with Reduced Pollution / Experience and Challenges

Abstract

Offshore Gas Turbines with Reduced Pollution / Experience and Challenges R. Skorping; R. Skorping Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar C. Carstensen C. Carstensen Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Paper presented at the SPE International Conference on Health, Safety and Environment in Oil and Gas Exploration and Production, Stavanger, Norway, June 2000. Paper Number: SPE-61271-MS https://doi.org/10.2118/61271-MS Published: June 26 2000 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Get Permissions Search Site Citation Skorping, R., and C. Carstensen. "Offshore Gas Turbines with Reduced Pollution / Experience and Challenges." Paper presented at the SPE International Conference on Health, Safety and Environment in Oil and Gas Exploration and Production, Stavanger, Norway, June 2000. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/61271-MS Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentAll ProceedingsSociety of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)SPE International Conference and Exhibition on Health, Safety, Environment, and Sustainability Search Advanced Search AbstractStatoil has a philosophy of being at any time at the forefront of applying the best available technology with respect to the environment. This paper describes important efforts to reduce emissions to air from gas turbines offshore.The paper outlines further the experience gained so far and challenges for future applications in conformance with recent revisions of power plant air emission guidelines.Gas Turbines are used in the offshore oil and gas production primarily for power generation and gas compression. Statoil has over 50 aeroderivative gas turbines in operation, with a total power output of more than 1,5 billion horsepower.Exhaust from the turbines are a major contribution to the nitrogen oxide (NOx) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emission offshore. Several gas turbine manufacturers started years ago a comprehensive technology development program in order to reduce the NOx emission levels. This technology is now available to gas turbine users, and Statoil was one of the first oil companies that implemented this technology offshore.Theoretically, application of the Dry Low Emission (DLE) technology will reduce the NOx emission by more than 80%. However, experience so far has proved that there are still technical and operational challenges to overcome in order to meet these ambitious emission levels during regular operation.In addition, high efficiency gas turbines combined with waste heat recovery units are put into operation in order to utilise energy content of the flue gas and hence reduce the CO2 emission levels.IntroductionIn the recent years, the emission of NOx and CO2 has been under increased attention. The authorities / legistative has supported / initialised R&D activities, and national and international bodies are working on directives for the regulation of these substances.The Norwegian authorities introduced years ago (1991) a "CO2 tax" for offshore installations. The tax is proportional to gas turbine fuel consumption, which promote the users to implement high efficiency turbine technology.The paper is intended as an overview of Statoil's dry low emission (DLE) / high efficiency gas turbine systems and the experience so far.Statoil's experience in gas turbines extends over 20 years. With the operation of more than 50 gas turbines of the type LM2500 at 12 installations, Statoil is one of the largest operators of gas turbines in the north sea, and the largest commercial operator world wide for this type of turbine. For the LM2500 turbines the number of operating hours has exceeded 3 Million in 1999. With this fleet, Statoil is the worlds largest offshore power producer. Statoil selected mostly aeroderivative GT's due to the higher thermal efficiency and lower weight of these turbines in contrast to their industrial counterparts.Description of the DLE systemThe combustion process of natural gas results in production of nitrous oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO) and unburned hydrocarbon (UHC). The NOx and CO/UHC levels are a function of the flame temperature, where increased temperature will produce more NOx and less CO/UHC. Keywords: society of petroleum engineers, upstream oil & gas, pollution experience, spe 61271, subsea system, high efficiency gas turbine system, statoil, installation, mech, operation Subjects: Offshore Facilities and Subsea Systems, Environment, Air emissions This content is only available via PDF. 2000. Society of Petroleum Engineers You can access this article if you purchase or spend a download.