Industrial Deployment of Power Reserve Optimization

Abstract In remote oil and gas production facilities, power is often produced on site with gas turbine generators or internal combustion engines. The difference between the maximum available power and the current load of the group of running machines is known as the power reserve. The rationale for optimizing the power reserve is to increase the efficiency of power generation and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions. A four-steps approach to optimize the power reserve has been developed and is being deployed on all operated assets. First, all data related to power generation and consumption is collected and reviewed. Second, an optimized configuration is identified and modelled. Third, the feasibility is studied, and the business case is evaluated. Fourth, the optimal configuration is tested and implemented. The following enablers for power reserve optimization are considered in the second and third step: reduction of electricity consumption, load shedding strategy update, detailed power generation reliability study and improvement, site interconnection, hybridization and the use of a battery energy storage system. The optimization of the power reserve is under deployment on all our operated sites. The total potential greenhouse gas reduction potential identified is around 350 ktCO2eq per year. Eight gas turbine generators have already been switched off resulting in a reduction of around 130 ktCO2eq per year, as well as lower fuel gas consumption and lower maintenance costs. The main enablers are improved reliability of the power generation, site interconnection and hybridization. As part of the deployment strategy a real-time monitoring tool has been implemented (PowerBI). A key performance indicator related to power reserve optimization has also been defined for follow-up by senior management. Return of experience has been collected and shared with other sites. The paper presents a novel, structured and systematic approach to optimize the power reserve that can directly be applied to all assets. The approach often results in a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions at a low net technical cost and should thus be one of the first steps to reduce the carbon footprint of remote production sites.