Decarbonizing Turbine Powered Oil And Gas Processes With Electrical Adjustable Speed Drive Systems

The Oil & Gas (O&G) industry operations account for 9 percent of all man-made greenhouse-gas emissions. CO2 reduction paths include improved efficiency, carbon capture, and process optimization; however, the greatest impact is to change the power source. O&G operators are increasingly investigating electrical solutions for their high-power compressor systems that have historically been powered by turbines.Traditionally very high power electrical variable frequency drive systems use current source technology. However, recent developments in voltage source inverters have made this technology available at increasingly higher powers. Current source drives (LCI) are well referenced but are viewed as complex by operators, whilst VSI is considered, overall, a simpler system but lacking in experience at very high-power ratings. This paper compares both VSI and LCI drives above 25MW including availability, efficiency, footprint, weight, cooling, technology readiness, AFE, CAPEX and OPEX for a complete working system. The paper compares impact of large VSI and LCI drives on the power supply system in terms of harmonics, and network impact on the drive. Future proofing of drive solutions due to changes in the power supply system, including the addition of other power users on the network during the lifetime of electric driven plant.