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the absolute best-case scenario for processing, produced fuids would be transferred directly from the underwater wells to shore – with no offshore platforms or logistics needed, eliminating their emissions by a 100%.

This isn’t possible today, because the mixture does not fow smoothly over long distances. Problems like the loss of pressure, separation into fuctuating gas and liquid pock- ets, and wax formation – which in worst-case-scenarios can block the pipeline – all increase with distance.

Existing measures involve injection of large amounts of chemicals for hydrate prevention, intensive pipeline insu- lation with active heating schemes, or scheduled pigging

Researcher Dr Per Eirik Bergmo is for wax removal. However, these measures are costly, en- involved in the range of research ergy intensive, and partly pollutive in case of chemicals.

underway at Low Emission.

The new approach targets the controlled cooling of the production fuids allowing the formation of wax and hy- drate as particles in a transportable, stable, non-sticky (in- ert) slurry. This may be reached in dedicated subsea cool- ing units involving seeding techniques or the introduction of anti-agglomerants. The fow of a stabilized slurry will then allow transport over much longer distances (100+ km), potentially combined with a subsea boosting / multi- phase pump system.

The potential is a considerable reduction in energy con- sumption and footprint, says Schümann. “And we don’t even need to make advancements all the way to shore to be effective in saving energy, costs, and emissions. Being able to have processing further away from wells could lead to

Prof. Carl Fredrik Berg has analyzed the more centralization, creating more effcient hub platforms balance between high hydrocarbon demand supplied with production fuids from many different satel- and the imperative to reduce CO2 emissions.

lite felds.”

Researchers Dr. Per Eirik Bergmo and Dr. Ruben Mo- choli Montanes are also involved in the range of research underway at LowEmission, and Dr. Stefania Gardarsdot- tir, Centre Director, says: “Norway’s continental shelf ac- counts for about a quarter of our national CO emissions, 2 and 80 percent of those come from gas turbines powering offshore platforms.”

Improving gas turbine effciency and recovering waste heat through combined or bottoming cycles, could reduce emissions by up to 25%. A new demonstration facility is currently being built, showcasing compact and robust so- lutions for offshore use. Additionally, improving energy use in separation, compression, and other platform pro- cesses, reductions of 5-30% are possible, and optimizing

Researcher Dr. Ruben Mocholi Montanes operations, speed, and weather routing of supply vessels is involved in the range of research could deliver emission cuts of 5-35%. underway at Low Emission.

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