Integration of HPT Plant into Offshore Platform Infrastructure

Current Energy Supply Challenges:

• Dependence on underwater power cables that can be damaged

• High costs of diesel fuel for generators

• Difficulties in delivering fuel to remote platforms

• Risks of power supply interruptions

Advantages of Implementing Hydroelectric Systems:

• Energy Autonomy – independence from external sources

• Reduced Operating Costs through elimination of diesel fuel usage

• Environmental Friendliness – reduced CO2 emissions

• Reliability – uninterrupted energy generation

Technical Integration Possibilities:

• Modular Design allows adaptation to existing platforms

• Vertical Placement of turbines does not interfere with main operations

• Automation minimizes the need for additional personnel

• Integration with existing platform infrastructure

Economic Impact:

• Cost Reduction in fuel and its delivery

• Extended Equipment Lifespan due to stable operation

• Return on Investment within 5-7 years

• Increased Profitability of oil production

Practical Implementation Aspects:

• Preliminary Research of sea currents around the platform

• Design Adaptation to specific operating conditions

• Equipment Installation with minimal production downtime

• Integration of Monitoring and control systems

Benefits for Platform Operators:

• Diversification of Energy Sources

• Reduced Risks of power supply failures

• Improved Energy Efficiency of production

• Enhanced Company Image in environmental sphere

Development Prospects:

• Scaling Solutions to existing platforms

• Implementing Technology in new facility designs

• Creating Hybrid Systems for power supply

• Developing Service Solutions for hydroelectric complexes maintenance

Main Challenges in Implementation:

• Need for Adaptation to unique conditions of each platform

• Project Approval with regulators and environmental services

• Ensuring Personnel Safety during operations

• Equipment Protection against marine environment impact

Thus, the integration of hydroelectric power systems into oil platform infrastructure represents a promising development direction that can significantly improve the efficiency and environmental friendliness of offshore hydrocarbon production. This is particularly relevant given the rising energy prices and stricter environmental requirements.

Integration of Offshore Drilling and Power Supply Technologies

Technological Concept

The base platform integrates two key systems:

• Offshore drilling rig

• Power supply system based on HYPOT (hydraulic technology)

Layout Solution

Structural Elements:

• Main body of the drilling platform

• Head for HYPOT system attachment

• Pipeline system for water transportation

• Energy conversion unit

• Drilling derricks around the perimeter

• Storage tanks

Power Generation Unit

Key Parameters:

• Generation capacity: 30-50 MW

• Generation type: hydrodynamic

• Conversion efficiency: 85-90%

• Operational autonomy: 24/7

Advantages of Integration

Technological Benefits:

• Reduced dependence on external energy sources

• Minimized CO2 emissions

• Improved energy efficiency

• Optimized platform space usage

• Reduced fuel costs

Economic Aspects

Key Factors:

• Capital installation costs

• Operational expenses

• Payback period

• Maintenance costs

• Risk management

Technical Specifications

System Parameters:

• System pressure: 50-100 bar

• Operating fluid temperature: 0-35°C

• Pump capacity: 1000-2000 m³/hour

• System efficiency: 80-85%

Comparison with Traditional Solutions

Traditional Systems:

• Diesel generators

• Gas turbines

• External submarine cables

Advantages of Integrated System:

• Up to 40% reduction in fuel costs

• Decreased operational expenses

• Improved power supply reliability

• Reduced environmental impact

Implementation Recommendations

Implementation Stages:

1. Preliminary design

2. Load and capacity calculation

3. Equipment selection

4. System installation and integration

5. Testing and commissioning

6. Operational launch

Conclusion

The integration of offshore drilling and power supply technologies based on HYPOT represents a promising solution that allows for:

• Optimized energy consumption

• Reduced operational costs

• Enhanced environmental safety

• Increased platform autonomy

Technical and economic justification (TEJ) for the application of HYPOT technology in drilling operations on a floating offshore platform

1. Advantages of HYPOT technology:

• High efficiency. HYPOT technology uses the Pitot-Prandtl tube principle and Bernoulli’s law, which allows efficient conversion of the kinetic and potential energy of water into electricity. It is stated that 94 % of incoming solar energy is converted into the energy of underwater currents, which is significantly higher than in traditional technologies.

• Ability to operate at depth. HYPOT can utilise the energy of underwater currents, making it more efficient compared to technologies that use only surface currents and air flows.

• Multifunctionality. In addition to electricity generation, the technology provides the possibility of hydrogen production and the use of oxygen for cleaning the polluted ocean.

• Simple design and ease of component replacement. This reduces maintenance costs and increases the profitability of electricity production.

• Operation in difficult conditions. Unlike wind and solar power plants, HYPOT can operate under ice.

• No negative impact on flora and fauna. The blades of the vortex turbine are fully protected from environmental influences, and the operation of the hydroelectric power station does not affect living organisms with the noise of propellers.

2. Comparison with traditional energy sources:

3. Application of HYPOT technology in drilling operations:

• Power supply. HYPOT can provide electricity to floating offshore platforms, which is especially important for autonomous systems.

• Cost reduction. The use of HYPOT can reduce electricity costs compared to traditional sources, which will increase the economic efficiency of drilling operations.

• Additional opportunities. Hydrogen production can be useful for technological processes on drilling platforms, and the use of oxygen can be used for seawater treatment.

4. Economic aspects:

• Initial investments. The installation of HYPOT will require significant initial investments, but long-term operating costs may be lower due to high efficiency and reduced electricity costs.

• Payback period. A detailed analysis of costs and revenues is needed to determine the payback period of the project. Given the potential savings on electricity and additional opportunities for using hydrogen and oxygen, the payback period may be acceptable.

• Risks and uncertainties. Risks associated with operating in the marine environment, possible technical problems and the need to adapt the technology to specific conditions should be considered.

5. Conclusions:
HYPOT technology has significant potential for use in drilling operations on floating offshore platforms. Its high efficiency, ability to operate at depth and additional advantages make it competitive compared to traditional energy sources. However, detailed studies of operating conditions, calculation of economic indicators and assessment of technical risks are needed to implement the project.

The experience of building unique reinforced concrete structures in the ocean to convert the kinetic energy of currents can be considered based on the experience of designing and building stationary drilling platforms Troll A, Troll B and Troll C.

Troll A This Norwegian platform built in 1995 is located in the North Sea, 80 km northwest of Bergen, its supports reach the seabed at a depth of 303 meters and sink 36 meters into the ground. The total height of the structure is 472 meters.

The predominant part of the construction of the Troll-A platform is a concrete gravity foundation on which the platform rests. It has a height of 369 m and weighs 656,000 tons. The platform itself, along with drilling equipment and staff quarters, weighs only 22,500 tons.

The lower part of the concrete base was made in a dry dock in Stavanger on the Norwegian coast. It consists of 19 reinforced concrete cylinders with a height of 40 m, which were made together as an interconnected group. Then this massive structure was lowered into the waters of the nearest fjord and huge hollow "support legs" made of concrete were attached to it from above. 245,000 cubic meters of concrete were used for the foundation of the platform. 

Troll A is considered the largest facility ever transported and is among the largest and most complex engineering projects in history. The weight of the surface part is 39 thousand tons.

Troll B was commissioned in 2018. The design cost is 48 million dollars.

Troll C was commissioned in 2021, with all three rigs powered by an electric cable through Troll A.

Transportation of the first monumental Troll A structure was carried out by swimming with several heavy-duty tugboats.

Below are two calculations with a gradual approximation to the real design of heavy-duty kinetic HPT hydroelectric power plants (Hydro Power Tower) similar in design to hyperbolic towers with Troll designs.

Naturally,  that the experience of installing entirely reinforced concrete hyperboloids is applicable to the installation of kinetic hydroelectric power plants, which makes it possible to achieve full factory readiness already on shore.  

Calculation of HYPOT Station Power with Tower Height 300 m

Initial Data

• Tower height: 300 m

• Foundation depth: 70 m

• Spiral collector diameter: 40 m

• Neck diameter: 10 m

• Head diameter: 20 m

• Gulf Stream flow velocity: 2.6 m/s

• Number of pumps: 4

• Turbine type: vertical vortex

Power Calculation

1. Calculation of cross-sectional areas

• Spiral collector: A1​=π⋅(20)2=1256.64m2

• Neck: A2​=π⋅(5)2=78.54m2

• Head: A3​=π⋅(10)2=314.16m2

2. Flow velocity calculation in different sections

Using the continuity equation:
v1​⋅A1​=v2​⋅A2​=v3​⋅A3​

v2​=A2​A1​​⋅v1​=78.541256.64​⋅2.6=41.6m/s

3. Calculation of hydrostatic pressure

• Hydrostatic pressure at base: Pst​=ρ⋅g⋅h=1030⋅9.81⋅300=2988990Pa

• Atmospheric pressure: Patm​=101325Pa

4. Calculation of fountain height

The fountain height is determined by the balance of:

• Hydrostatic pressure

• Atmospheric pressure

• Centrifugal forces

Approximate calculation:
hfountain​=ρ⋅g2⋅(Pst​−Patm​)​=1030⋅9.812⋅(2988990−101325)​≈57.5m

5. Power calculation

Modified formula:

P=0.5⋅ρ⋅A⋅v3⋅η⋅kz​⋅Mc​⋅ηs​⋅Kv​⋅Kh​

where Kh​ — coefficient considering fountain effect (assumed 0.9)

Substituting values:

P=0.5⋅1030⋅78.54⋅(41.6)3⋅0.4⋅1.2⋅1.1⋅0.9⋅1.3⋅0.9=2545.1MW

Economic Indicators

Capital Costs

• Material costs: ~$450 million

• Foundation costs: ~$150 million

• Installation costs: ~$180 million

• Infrastructure expenses: ~$80 million

• Total cost: ~$860 million

Operational Expenses

• Maintenance: ~$5.5 million/year

• Staff salaries: ~$2.2 million/year

• Repair and equipment replacement: ~$3.3 million/year

• Total annual expenses: ~$11 million/year

Performance Assessment

• Service life: 30 years

• Expected efficiency: 36%

• Annual output: ~2230 GWh

• Payback period: ~9-11 years

Risk Factors

• Foundation stability

• Hydrodynamic loads

• Material corrosion

• Fountain impact on surrounding environment

• Technological risks

Conclusion

With a tower height of 300 m and a foundation depth of 70 m, the station’s power capacity is 2545.1 MW. The expected fountain height is approximately 57.5 m above the tower head. The project remains economically viable with a payback period of 9-11 years. This 2.5 GW nuclear power plant is located on the coast of the Yellow Sea.

Recommendations:

• Conduct detailed foundation design calculations

• Perform CFD modeling of fountain formation