ABB creates microgrid for offshore platform
ABB will install a battery storage system capable of remote management of operations and service on Woodside Petroleum's Goodwyn A platform located about 135 km northwest of Karratha in Western Australia. The 55,000 ton production facility sits in 131 metres of water and combines production, re-injection, utilities and accommodation facilities. ABB’s battery storage system will support Goodwyn A’s existing gas turbine generators, replacing one of the six existing gas turbine generators and will also reduce the need for using the emergency diesel generator.
ABB Ability™ enabled microgrid to support Woodside’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and help optimise costs.

ABB will provide Woodside, Australia’s largest independent oil and gas company, with a PowerStore™ Battery storage system that is capable of remote management of operations and service. The system will be installed on the Goodwyn A platform. This innovative ABB solution will contribute to Woodside’s 2020 goal of reducing carbon emissions and will help lower cost of operations and maintenance.

The Goodwyn A offshore production platform is located about 135 km northwest of Karratha in Western Australia and has been operating since 1995. The 55 000 t production facility is more than 290 meters tall and stands in a water depth of 131 meters. The platform combines production, re-injection, utilities and accommodation facilities. Dry gas and condensate from surrounding reservoirs is transported via a network of pipelines to Goodwyn A and then sent on-shore to the Karratha Gas Plant for processing. Goodwyn A is designed for up to 30 production wells, including five re-injection wells, and has a daily production capacity of up to 36 000 t of gas and 11 000 t of condensate.

ABB’s containerized, plug-and-play ABB Ability PowerStore battery storage system will support Goodwyn A’s existing gas turbine generators. The battery will replace one of the six existing gas turbine generators and will also reduce the need for using the emergency diesel generator. Short term backup will be provided via the new battery energy storage system incorporated within the microgrid, to provide a ‘spinning reserve’. A dedicated ABB Ability Microgrid Plus control system will act as the brain of the solution and it will also be possible to remotely operate the microgrid if the need arises or the platform has to be de-manned for any reason.

“We are pleased to partner with Woodside on pioneering a PowerStore Battery energy solution for offshore oil and gas, which will reduce environmental impact and optimize costs” said Massimo Danieli, head of ABB’s Grid Automation business within the company’s Power Grids division. “Microgrids and energy storage are key focus areas of our Next Level strategy and this innovative solution reinforces ABB’s position as a partner of choice in enabling a stronger, smarter and greener grid.”