Mocean, Aker Solutions Subsea to harness wave energy to extend lifespan of oil, gas hubs

Wave energy specialists Mocean Energy and offshore energy enabler Aker Solutions Subsea have joined forces to tap into the potential of wave energy to extend the operational lifespan of existing oil and gas hubs, Aker Solutions Subsea said on August 24. The partnership, formalised through a memorandum of understanding, aims to leverage the expertise of both companies.

The concept has the potential to address an important challenge in the industry – accessing reserves in remote or challenging locations, often referred to as stranded reserves. By using wave energy to power subsea equipment, along with energy storage solutions, these previously untapped reserves could be brought to market, Aker Solutions Subsea said. This approach could extend the operational life of aging subsea production assets, reducing the need for costly new oilfield developments.

The collaborative initiative could lead to the creation of a pilot project situated in UK waters within a relatively short timeframe of two years, the company said. The partnership envisions conducting feasibility studies, front-end engineering, and design as well as concept studies to identify the most viable and environmentally friendly solutions for utilising wave energy to extract marginal reserves.

Mocean Energy is already a participant in a collaborative industry initiative — Renewables for Subsea Power — which is currently proving the concept of powering subsea equipment with wave power and intelligent subsea energy storage.

The £2mn initiative, which is currently operational in Orkney, has connected Mocean Energy’s Blue X wave energy converter with a Halo underwater battery developed by Aberdeen intelligent energy management specialists, Verlume.