Crisman Annual Report 2009 - Harold Vance Department of ...

Alternate Power and Energy Storage/Reuse for Drilling Rigs: Reduced Cost and
Lower Emissions Provide Lower Footprint for Drilling Operations
Introduction
Diesel engines operating the rig pose the problems
of low efficiency and large amount of emissions. In
addition the rig power requirements vary a lot with
time and ongoing operation. Therefore it is in the
best interest of operators to research on alternate
drilling energy sources which can make entire drilling
process economic and environmentally friendly. One
of the major ways to reduce the footprint of drilling
operations is to provide more efficient power sources
for drilling operations. There are various sources
of alternate energy storage/reuse. A quantitative
comparison of physical size and economics shows
that rigs powered by the electrical grid can provide
lower cost operations, emit fewer emissions, are
quieter, and have a smaller surface footprint than
conventional diesel powered drilling.
with significantly lower emissions, quieter operation,
and smaller size well pad.
Objectives
This project describes a study to evaluate the
feasibility of adopting technology to reduce the size
of the power generating equipment on drilling rigs
and to provide “peak shaving” energy through the
new energy generating and energy storage devices
such as flywheels.
Approach
An energy audit was conducted on a new generation
light weight Huisman LOC 250 rig drilling in South
Texas to gather comprehensive time stamped
drilling data. A study of emissions during drilling
operation was also conducted during the audit. The
data was analyzed using MATLAB and compared to a
theoretical energy audit.
Accomplishments
The study showed that it is possible to remove
peaks of rig power requirement by a flywheel
kinetic energy recovery and storage (KERS) system
and that linking to the electrical grid would supply
sufficient power to operate the rig normally. Both
the link to the grid and the KERS system would fit
within a standard ISO container.
Significance
A cost benefit analysis of the containerized system
to transfer grid power to a rig, coupled with the KERS
indicated that such a design had the potential to save
more than $10,000 per week of drilling operations
Project Information
2.1.5 Rig Energy Efficiency Study
Related Publications
Verma, A.: 2009. Alternate Power and Energy Storage/
Reuse for Drilling Rigs: Reduced Cost and Lower Emissions
Provide Lower Footprint for Drilling Operations. MS thesis.
Texas A&M U., College Station, Texas.
Contacts
David Burnett
979.845.2274
david.burnett@pe.tamu.edu
Ankit Verma
CRISMAN INSTITUTE
48
Crisman Annual Report 2009