ABB - AC Drive Systems for Drilling and Subsea Production

ABB is a worldwide supplier of AC drive systems for the oil and gas industry. ABB offers a full range of environmental AC drive products for offshore and onshore drilling systems and subsea production systems. ABB's comprehensive product range enables it to deliver complete equipment packages or key components whilst managing the interfaces on behalf of the customer.

ABB's drilling drive system delivery to each rig includes a complete package consisting of frequency converters (i.e. AC drives), motors, high voltage transformers and low voltage switchgears. As a total partner to our customers, the complete system from design and engineering to service and support can be provided. Each system will be designed to meet the particular process conditions on the plant.

All ABB products form part of ABB's Industrial IT philosophy, which allows all automation products to be easily integrated within a plant, thereby bringing significant production efficiencies and reduced costs to our customers. Extensive range of electrical products combined with true global support ensure world-class availability and service for rig owners, operators, shipyards as well OEMs and system integrators.

AC DRILLING DRIVE SYSTEMS: STATE OF THE ART SOLUTIONS FOR OFFSHORE AND ONSHORE DRILLING APPLICATIONS

ABB was the first company to introduce AC drilling drive systems in the early 90s. The latest pioneering innovations in frequency converters and motors offer comprehensive solutions and large-scale savings in one package. The simple, modular construction of the system allows optimized drilling operations and high availability. ABB drilling drives offer responsive, high-accuracy speed and torque control. They have excellent dynamic characteristics in the entire range from zero to maximum speed.

FREQUENCY CONVERTER TECHNOLOGY

The frequency converters (i.e. AC drives) offer powerful and accurate performance with advanced diagnostic facilities. A flexible interface to major drilling control vendors secures reliable operation. Excellent dynamic characteristics are available for both induction and permanent magnet synchronous motors. High efficiency and close to unity power factor across the whole load and speed range offers considerable energy savings. The common DC bus principle of the converter system results in major savings in space requirements and cabling costs. The frequency converter features excellent dynamic performance characteristic and speed control accuracy thanks to the Direct Torque Control (DTC) technology.

Both water-cooled and air-cooled single drive and multidrive solutions are available for system configuration. Depending on customer requirements, ABB drilling drives can be configured to 6-pulse, 12-pulse or quasi 24-pulse solution and also low harmonic solution with active supply unit is available to meet the most stringent harmonic distortion requirements. The frequency converters fulfill marine and offshore requirements and high priority has been given to system safety and availability. Direct water cooling technology together with the totally enclosed cubicle structure means increased reliability in harsh environmental conditions. The low noise level also makes the drive very user-friendly. The basic design has been verified according to Lloyd's, ABS and DNV type test requirements.

PUMP, COMPRESSOR AND DRILLING MOTORS

ABB is a leading supplier of hazardous area motors and generators for pump, compressor and drilling applications for the oil, gas and petrochemical industries. Working together with major companies within this demanding industry, ABB has developed a comprehensive range of products that offer safety, reliability and energy efficiency. The regulatory situation where customers operate is complex and constantly changing, with the latest developments including the new ATEX directives. ABB not only ensures the relevant regulations but in many cases surpasses them. ABB's wide motor and generator product ranges cover all protection types (EEx d(e), EEx e, EEx p, EEx nA, DIP).

AC DRIVE SYSTEMS FOR SUBSEA PRODUCTION

ABB has delivered AC drive system solutions for subsea rotating equipment since the early 1980s. The deliveries comprise topside and subsea electrical equipment for downhole pumps, subsea multiphase booster pumps, subsea separation and electrical heating.

ABB topside drive systems utilize well proven low-voltage AC drives and step-up transformers together with technology innovations, such as subsea power connectors and subsea transformers. The topside system with subsea transformer offers long step-out distances, up to 80km depending on load characteristics. The high voltage transmission voltage, up to 36kV, substantially reduces the subsea cabling cost.

In total, ABB has delivered electro technical solutions to more than 50 drilling platforms and vessels worldwide and more than 200 topside AC drive systems for downhole and subsea pumps. ABB has successfully served oil and gas industry customers since the early 70s with well-proven AC technology. System operations are run through ABB's Lead Competence Centers in Singapore for Marine-Offshore applications (semi-submersible drilling rigs and jack-up drilling rigs) and Center in Bergen, Norway for fixed platform applications.

MAJOR AC DRILLING SYSTEM REFERENCES

• Troll A, the world's first AC drilling system
• Eirik Raude and Leiv Eirikson
• Saipem 10000
• Belford Dolpin (Navis Explorer I)
• Ringhorne
• Kvitebjoern
• Grane
• Development driller I and II
• Thunder Horse
• ACG Central/West/East Azeri and deep water Gunashli
• Shah Deniz
• Sakhalin II Lun A and PA-B
• Wilcraft 1 and 3 jack-up
• Seadrill 1 and 2 jack-ups
• Apexindo jack-up
• Oseberg East mud module
• Seadrill 8 and 9 semi submersible
• West E-drill semi submersible
• Seadrill HN 3019 and HN 3020 semi-submersibles
• Mosvold jack ups