ABB to support Equinor to develop next generation autonomous oil & gas platforms

Equinor has employed ABB also to deliver automation solutions for the Krafla oil and gas field development, that is part of the coordinated development of the licenses Krafla, Fulla and North of Alvheim (NOA).

The Unmanned Processing Platform (UPP) at Krafla will be remote controlled from an onshore control center leveraging the market leading distributed control system ABB Ability™ System 800xA equipped with Select I/O.

In addition to the UPP, the ABB system will monitor and control multiple units including two unmanned wellhead platforms, and a subsea production system.

ABB will create a digital twin to simulate, test and verify the advanced functions needed for unmanned operations on the control system, before being installed at site.

Brandon Spencer, President of ABB Energy Industries commented: “The platform has been designed with the intention of having no people on board, with no helipad, and the only possible access via ship. Instead, a new generation of remotely based operators will sit onshore, with the ability to start operations at the touch of a button. It is critical, therefore that collectively we get the design right the first time around. Everything needs to be tested and verified before being installed offshore.

Applying its Adaptive Execution™ methodology, ABB will streamline the entire project execution experience, combining efficient modular design, with standardized, repeatable processes.

Johan de Villiers, Oil and Gas lead for ABB Energy Industries said: “Adaptive Execution™ enables greater visibility across all layers of a project. With digitalization and virtualization at its core we can unlock significant project value for Equinor in this project, not least by designing and testing everything in a virtual environment, eliminating design failures early on.  As a result, we can reduce delivery schedules by up to 30 per cent, minimize the number of engineering hours spent on project testing, installation, and commissioning by 85 per cent and lower automation related setup costs lowered by up to 40 per cent.”

With no localized power source on-site, the new platform also offers environmental benefits.  Drawing power from the power grid onshore, which is primarily hydroelectric, will help to reduce local emissions. 

ABB’s Process Automation business is a leader in automation, electrification and digitalization for the process and hybrid industries. We serve our customers with a broad portfolio of products, systems, and end-to-end solutions, including our #1 distributed control system, software, and lifecycle services, industry-specific products as well as measurement and analytics, marine and turbocharging offerings. As the global #2 in the market, we build on our deep domain expertise, diverse team, and global footprint, and are dedicated to helping our customers increase competitiveness, improve their return on investment and run safe, smart, and sustainable operations.

ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 105,000 talented employees in over 100 countries. www.abb.com