Batteries in the Offshore Industry

The significant development of powerful battery packages over the last few decades has revolutionized several industries. This technology can also benefit offshore oil and gas production through improved energy management, thereby contributing to reductions in gas and diesel fuel usage and associated greenhouse gas emissions.

Application of Battery Technology

1. Replacing diesel-driven emergency power supply

All offshore platforms are equipped with battery packages to ensure power supply to critical safety features such as emergency lighting, communication systems, and critical control systems. Lifeboats, fire pumps, and other emergency systems are typically powered by separate emergency diesel generators and engines. Large, powerful battery packages may replace these diesel-driven systems.

2. Replacing spinning reserves

Some critical operations require a minimum of two independent power sources. If only one turbine-driven generator package is needed for normal operation, an additional generator set (spinning reserve) may be required during critical drilling operations. A powerful battery package may replace the reserve, thereby improving energy utilization.

3. Peak shaving

Batteries can also be used for peak shaving by covering shorter periods of high loads that would otherwise necessitate starting an additional turbo generator.

Challenges
One hurdle is the high initial investment required for installing and integrating batteries into existing systems. Additional challenges include the strict weight and space limitations on many offshore installations. Batteries are heavy and large relative to their energy storage capacity, which may restrict their application possibilities, particularly for refitting existing installations.