Selection of a standalone power generation system for a novel remote sub-sea gas processing facility

Abstract

The safe, economically viable and sustainable extraction, transportation and processing of remote sub-sea hydrocarbon reserves presents many challenges. The limits of technology are increasingly being stretched in order to find and produce more natural gas and oil. Sub-sea processing is seen as a very promising, fast emerging, technology that has the potential to meet the increasing demands for hydrocarbon resources.As an integral part of a current research project into the development of a unique subsea natural gas dehydration system is the need to have a robust, highly reliable power generation system. This power system must be continually operated within a harsh, remote environment. The proposed system must not only display extremely high reliability, but also have the ability to draw on its surrounding resources such as wave motion, wind and solar energy to supplement / wholly utilize for the primary source of energy.This thesis reviews current power generating technologies, including their adaptation and fuel requirements / sources, which can be applied to the sub-sea gas dehydration plant power demands.