Equinor selects KCA Deutag’s Kenera for major electrification project on Askepott rig
Equinor selects KCA Deutag’s Kenera for major electrification project on Askepott rig
KCA Deutag has been awarded a contract to carry out a major project to electrify Equinor’s jackup rig, Askepott, in Norway.
The electrification project, which will be delivered by KCA Deutag’s Kenera business unit, will make the Askepott rig the first in Equinor’s portfolio to be powered from onshore when it is completed in Q4 2024.
Askepott will receive power from high voltage cabling via the Martin Linge A platform, which is already supplied with power from shore through the world’s longest alternating current cable and is located 42 kilometres west of the Oseberg Field in the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS). The electrification of the Askepott rig in the field will enable energy efficient drilling operations and provide significant decreases in Green House Gas (GHG) emissions. Based on historic records and predicted calculations, it is anticipated the project will result in a reduction of twenty thousand tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year when compared to running with traditional diesel generators.
As a key part of the project, Kenera will convert the existing mud treatment room on Askepott to an electrical power room and install transformers, Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) and high-voltage switch boards certified to DNV classification requirements.
Kenera will provide a turnkey solution from initial procurement, detailed engineering, installation, and commissioning before handing the project over to Equinor and KCA Deutag’s team in Norway for the day-to-day operations onboard Askepott.
This project is the next step in previous Kenera campaigns to reduce CO2 emissions which have included the energy optimisation of both of Equinor’s Cat J rigs, the Askepott and Askeladden. These projects deployed CO2 and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) reduction technologies as part of Equinor’s long-term low emissions strategy for 2050 and resulted in the elimination of more than 85 per cent of NOx emissions.
Gordon Ronaldson, Senior Vice President, Kenera, commented:
“This project to electrify Askepott will demonstrate the opportunities for rig electrification of assets across Equinor’s portfolio and indeed the wider sector as the industry looks to reduce total energy consumption and create more sustainable drilling operations. The award is also an important milestone for Kenera, as we continue to focus upon decarbonisation technologies and the energy transition. It will demonstrate and build industry confidence in our capability to electrify offshore and mobile assets.”
Kenera secures new orders from Arabian Drilling for key drilling technologies
Kenera secures new orders from Arabian Drilling for key drilling technologies
Kenera has secured a contract to deliver five top drives and five iron roughnecks to Arabian Drilling for new build rigs to operate on a major project in Saudi Arabia.
This order follows a previous contract for five top drives awarded in September and further increases the installed base in the Middle East while highlighting Kenera’s commitment to providing technology and drilling solutions to major rig operators in the region.
Delivery of the contract includes the design and manufacture of top drives from Kenera’s rig equipment business, Bentec, which offer superior operational performance and reliability. With its proprietary software, the Bentec top drive optimises the drilling process and ultimately reduces well delivery times. Arabian Drilling will also benefit from remote monitoring and troubleshooting provided through Bentec’s digital service platform rigCARE™.
The contract bolsters the long-standing relationship between Kenera, as the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), and Arabian Drilling that enhances drilling operations performance through the application of key rig technologies.
Stephane Moynet, Chief Operating Officer, Arabian Drilling, commented: “We are pleased to have acquired rig equipment from Kenera for our projects in Saudi Arabia. This collaboration with Kenera aligns with our unwavering commitment to service delivery excellence. We appreciate Kenera's track record of delivering products and services that will participate in enhancing our operations, along with their experienced in-country teams dedicated to supporting our operations in the Kingdom.”
Omar Mousa, VP – Services, Kenera, commented: “Establishing Kenera’s facility in Saudi Arabia earlier this year has enabled us to build upon our existing customer relationships, focussing on our in-country delivery, support and value-add. This recent and repeat order from Arabian Drilling is testament to the proven quality of our rig technology and the performance and dedication of our local teams as they deliver commissioning and aftermarket support locally from our service centre in Dammam.”
First rig built in the Sultanate of Oman unveiled at ceremony for PDO
First rig built in the Sultanate of Oman unveiled at ceremony for PDO
KCA Deutag, a leading drilling, engineering and technology partner, has unveiled the first locally made rig in Oman at a ceremony held on 29 October 2023 for Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), Oman’s leading exploration and production company.
The rig is the first of four highly automated rigs being designed and constructed by KCA Deutag’s Kenera business unit that will fulfil a 10-year drilling operations contract for PDO secured in January 2022.
The ceremony was held under the auspices of His Excellency Mohsin Bin Hamed Al Hadhrami, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, and took place where the rigs are being constructed at Kenera’s International Drilling Technology Co. (IDTEC) facility located in Nizwa, Oman, which is the Group’s in-country manufacturing and servicing company.
Designed and constructed by Kenera, the highly automated, fast-moving 1250hp rigs are tailor-made, with a focus on digitalisation, utilising latest technologies, to deliver safe, efficient, and sustainable drilling operations for PDO. Automation of key equipment is enabled via the rig’s central operating system, cyber drilling chair (Synapse) and bespoke software that enhances remote operations capability, improving safety and performance.
Benefitting from the latest plug and play technologies, the equipment deployed includes the in-house manufactured Bentec Top Drive, designed to PDO’s requirements, a remote operated Iron Roughneck and further automated components. The equipment package is enhanced by a mobile and trailer mounted system enabling high speed and safe rig moves between drilling locations.
As a partner to PDO since 1964, the KCA Deutag Group has a long history in the country and has demonstrated its commitment to the growth of the economy in the Sultanate of Oman with an investment of approximately $100 million for Kenera to build the new rigs in-country. The high In-Country Value (ICV) of the project has seen the company spend approximately 40% of its investment in subcontracting significant work, including construction and commissioning, to small and medium sized Omani businesses, ensuring expansion of the local economy.
Simon Drew, President of Land Drilling at KCA Deutag, commented: “We are pleased to have welcomed PDO and Ministry officials to our local facility to showcase the first of four technologically advanced rigs being constructed by Kenera in Oman. We take immense pride in delivering bespoke customer-centric solutions and this project, with its strong emphasis on digitalisation and automation, demonstrates the capability we have in-country and across the Group. As we continue to embrace cutting-edge technologies, these new rigs will deliver lower emissions and contribute to sustainability and energy optimisation in Oman.
“We believe this project holds the highest ICV of any rig construction project in the history of Oman. Our commitment to providing in-country value in Oman is demonstrated by our investment in the economy and people with Omani nationals representing 92% of our local workforce. This also extends to establishing the next generation of talent through the launch of a summer internship programme in partnership with Omani universities for 16 undergraduates.”
PDO External Affairs and Value Creation Director Eng. Abul-Amir Al Ajmi commented: “PDO remains committed to supporting and leading the ICV initiative. We are dedicated to our role in contributing to the growth and prosperity of Oman. Indeed, we cannot emphasise enough, the importance of ICV, particularly for our nation's economy. The significance of ICV goes beyond corporate responsibility; it is the bedrock upon which our national economic aspirations are built.
“We are pleased with our collaboration with KCA Deutag and we look forward to continuing this partnership that will contribute towards fulfilling our ICV and sustainability targets.”
Kenera secures further Middle East contract for key drilling technology
Kenera secures further Middle East contract for key drilling technology
Kenera has been awarded a contract to deliver five top drive systems to a Saudi Arabian drilling contractor for new build rigs which will operate at a major Unconventional gas project in Saudi Arabia.
Designed and manufactured by the company’s rig equipment business, Bentec GmbH, the top drives offer proven operational performance and reliability with proprietary software that optimises the drilling process and ultimately reduces well delivery times. The Bentec top drive solution is also enhanced through Bentec rigCARE™, the digital service platform for remote monitoring and troubleshooting.
Positioning Kenera as a key technology partner for drilling operations in the Middle East, this recent award builds on a number of previously secured contracts for top drive and iron roughneck solutions in Saudi Arabia. Commissioning and support will be provided out of the newly established Kenera service centre in Dammam.
Gordon Ronaldson, SVP, Kenera, commented:
“We are delighted to fulfil these contracts for our customer as their preferred drilling technology partner. The adaptability in design and integration of our field-tested top drives allows for simple installation for many derrick configurations. Our proven performance delivers reduced rig downtime for our customers ensuring we remain the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of choice for many global land and offshore projects in the most extreme and demanding environments.”
Kenera operates across the Middle East providing tailor made drilling solutions including new build rig design, on-demand facilities engineering services, rig equipment and component supply and aftermarket services. Positioned to support decarbonisation, Kenera also offers solutions across the energy transition including carbon emissions management, green hydrogen, energy storage solutions through to full rig electrification.
KCA Deutag Publishes 2022 Sustainability Report
KCA Deutag Publishes 2022 Sustainability Report
KCA Deutag Group, of which Kenera is the newest division, has published its 2022 Sustainability Report as part of our commitment to transparency and sustainability.
Our second annual Sustainability Report once again reports our sustainability performance and activities underpinned by our Culture of Care: Caring for our People; Caring for our Future and Caring for the Climate. It contains data on our emissions for the 2022 calendar year, as well as additional health and safety and diversity, equity and inclusion data.
For the first time, our report has been developed in alignment with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards – a widely used benchmark for sustainability – to allow us to reflect upon and continue to mature our framework and activities.
Click here to access the full report.
Kenera signs agreement to manufacture and supply electrolysers leveraging technology from Clean Power Hydrogen Plc
Kenera signs agreement to manufacture and supply electrolysers leveraging technology from Clean Power Hydrogen Plc
Kenera today announces the signing of a technical cooperation and sales agreement with Clean Power Hydrogen Plc (“CPH2”) that will enable it to manufacture and supply patented Membrane-Free Electrolyser™ units for hydrogen production. This agreement builds on the successful CPH2 IPO in February where Kenera was a cornerstone investor in the company.
In support of Kenera’s strategy to expand in renewable energy markets, this 10-year partnership brings together CPH2’s Membrane-Free Electrolyser™ technology and Kenera’s industry-leading manufacturing capabilities to supply hydrogen electrolysers across Europe and provides Kenera with an exclusive technology licence across the Middle East, including important markets such as Saudi Arabia and Oman.
The Membrane-Free Electrolyser™ is a disruptive technology in the hydrogen space. It has already experienced significant demand since entering the electrolyser market since it offers a cleaner, cost effective and more robust alternative to other existing technologies.
The parties are targeting the first CPH2 electrolyser to be built in Germany from early 2023 by capitalising on the existing key skills, manufacturing competencies, and experience of Kenera and the wider KCA Deutag group.
Ally Hogg, Head of Commercial for Kenera commented: “This collaboration follows our investment into this exciting and ambitious high growth hydrogen business. The relationship with CPH2 adds to our clean energy portfolio and we look forward to actively collaborating with their team as we expand our business in the energy transition space and create value for our stakeholders by delivering our innovative technological solutions, manufacturing and after-sales expertise.”
Jon Duffy, CEO of CPH2 said: “This agreement is an important step in our journey to gain rapid scale. It also confirms our strategy to license the technology through an international network of partners that bring access to key geographies. In this case, through additional manufacturing capacity in Germany and by gaining access into the Middle East, which is a region that has some interesting giga-watt hydrogen projects in the pipeline. CPH2 sees Kenera as an ideal industrial partner that can provide immediate additional manufacturing capacity – a key element for success that will enable further and faster growth towards the accomplishment of our vision to be a leading developer and manufacturer of green hydrogen technologies.
For media enquiries please contact:
Becky Campbell
T: 07584 470852
E: becky.campbell@kcadeutag.com
Notes to Editors:
Kenera is a business unit within leading drilling, engineering and technology company KCA Deutag. It expands the group’s offering in hydrocarbon and energy transition markets and consolidates the skills, competencies and experience of the existing KCA Deutag group with those of Bentec – its land rig and oilfield equipment manufacturer, and RDS – its UK-based engineering and design specialist. Kenera has three dedicated segments covering innovative services, technology & engineering and manufacturing.
CPH2 is a UK-based green hydrogen technology and manufacturing company that has developed the IP-protected Membrane-Free Electrolyser (“MFE”) for the production of hydrogen.
