Unmanned rotating equipment for normally unattended installations

Abstract

Offshore oil and gas operators are facing unprecedented challenges due to the need to reduce operational expenditure while operating in harsh/remote environments with an ever-increasing focus on safety and carbon footprint reduction. Technological innovation, especially around digitalisation and control, is a game changer that gives customers the opportunity to adopt low-manned or totally unmanned solutions without compromising cybersecurity standards. According to some operators, every employee removed from an offshore platform can result in approximately US$1 M savings per year. Additionally, mobilisation of personnel offshore is very risky. For these reasons, de-manning is a solution both for new projects and for units in operation. Developing unmanned trains for power generation and compression requires the introduction of different solutions: hardware and control system modifications; surveillance systems and digital services for advanced degradation monitoring. Systems should be designed considering three main development streams: (1) fully automatic start-up/shut-down, (2) no routine maintenance during operation and (3) no on-condition maintenance. This paper describes the Unmanned Rotating Equipment Package Solution developed by Baker Hughes in collaboration with primary offshore operators. We demonstrate a high technology readiness level; potential fast deployment at industrial scale and identify no main technological showstoppers. Maintenance activities requiring personnel on site can be carried out during campaign visits, currently scheduled every 6 months with the target to achieve one visit per year. In addition to benefits due to reduction or remote execution of on-site tasks, unmanning can bring further advantages to a project such as increased safety, lower carbon footprint and reduced total cost of ownership.