Equinor awards new large development contract to Optime

For over a decade, Optime has been the driver in moving hydraulic energy and control from topside to the seabed. This technology is also proving beneficial for All-Electric fields, where certain valve functions may require hydraulic control. Equinor have selected Optimes Hydraulic Pump for its future All-Electric initiative.

All-Electric solutions are attractive in subsea systems for enabling cost effective and standardised field developments. In traditional systems, hydraulic valves and equipment on the seabed is supplied and controlled from topside via hydraulic piping over long umbilicals. All-Electric fields may eliminate most of these hydraulic elements as well as related cost and risk by actuating all the valves and controls electrically. The last remaining valve to be operated by hydraulics is the Surface Controlled Subsurface Safety Valve (“SCSSV”). This is where Optime’s subsea hydraulic pump (“sHPU”) is providing local hydraulic power and control subea, and as such succesfully enabling the Operators to implement their new All-Electric technology.

Jan-Fredrik Carlsen, CEO Optime Subsea, said:

“We have worked with Equinor on identifying the most optimized technical and commercial solution for its All- Electric subsea production systems for a while. By leveraging our experience in subsea hydraulic pump technologies, we now have a single unit pump, with redundant pistons and electronics that only requires almost the same amont of power as a lightbulb. This sHPU will contribute to optimizing project implementation cost to assist future operators drive to more electric and potential unmanned subsea production fields”.

The implementation of an All-Electric water depth independent system is a big step towards cost effective subsea solutions for the future. It allows for digitalization to increase control, maintenance, and source all the power from cleaner resources. While it is the intent to have all electrical controls and equipment, Equinor has selected Optime to provide this very small, low-cost and robust sHPU to drive all of its SCSSV valves where electric controls is not preferred. Eliminating the hydraulics in the host umbilical will enable new opportunities in field development, as well as making smaller fields safer, greener and financially attractive.

Jan-Fredrik Carlsen, CEO Optime Subsea, said:

“Last year we delivered the subsea electric power and distribution control module for ABB with its partners in Equinor, Total and Chevron. Now, we are providing the sHPU for Equinor – both developments being All-Electric driven. Continuing this path, but with a significantly greater value directed at operators’ mature field and their cost reducing efforts, is our completed fully autonomous subsea battery and software controls system. The subsea industry is continously in the forefront technically and for future innovative, cheap and environmentally friendly solutions – we believe to be positioned as a preferred partner.”