ABB to power unmanned oil platforms

ABB has won orders from National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC) for the delivery of electrical and telecommunication systems to the Al Nasr Full field Development Project in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates.

ABB will deliver a seamless electrical distribution system, including power-from-shore, covering the complete Al Nasr oilfield. The orders are worth around $18 million and they were booked in the fourth quarter of 2015. The new orders bring the total order volume for ABB on the project to more than $120 million.

The solutions from ABB will enable NPCC to fulfil its obligations to Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Co. (ADMA-OPCO), which includes safe operation of seven wellhead towers located approximately 130 km north-west of Abu Dhabi City.

ABB will provide electrical equipment, power management and telecommunication systems to ensure the highest levels of efficiency, reliability and safety for the project.

Maintaining continuous energy supply and ensuring process uptime are critical in the oil and gas sector. ABB’s power management system will use ABB’s control System 800xA, which seamlessly integrates all components of the vast electrical system, enabling remote operators to control the network safely and efficiently. An intelligent asset management system for predictive maintenance will further reduce operating costs and extend service life as it reduces the risk of failures and/or unexpected shutdowns.

ABB will supply 11 kV and 6.6 kV air-insulated and low-voltage switchgear that continually provides data to verify and ensure a high level of safety, availability and reliability. ABB is also providing a fully integrated telecommunication system to the super complex for internal and external communication and field security. Key products are computer networks, electronic personnel tracking, camera system, radar, public address and general alarm systems, access control, telephone system, radios and a transmission system between platforms. Delivery is scheduled for the second half of 2016.