KBR: ammonia-powered offshore drilling
By on September 21, 2022
KBR, Odfjell, Equinor and Wärtsilä will all collaborate to study conversion of diesel generators on board Odfjell’s semi-submersible, offshore drilling vessels to ammonia-fueled generators. In the announcement, KBR also indicates that their K-GreeN®, electrolysis-based ammonia production platform will be part of the new power system (ie. offshore ammonia production & onsite consumption).
We are excited to be a part of a collaborative effort that will fully integrate KBR’s semisubmersible technology expertise, Wärtsilä’s power systems, and Odfjell’s and Equinor’s operations capabilities, all to deliver a carbon-neutral solution. This project demonstrates the role ammonia can play in decarbonizing existing assets and achieving net-zero targets.
President of KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions Jay Ibrahim in his organisation’s official press release, 8 Sept 2022
Odfjell Drilling: the Deepsea fleet
Aberdeen-based Odfjell Drilling operates a fleet of seven “harsh environment” semi-submersible platforms that operate in locations like the North Sea, the Barents Sea and off the South African coast. Propulsion is provided by 4000-plus kW thruster engines (Wärtsilä or Rolls Royce), while on-board power for equipment and heavy machinery – as is typical with vessels like these – is provided by diesel generators. As fuel costs increase, operators are looking to new energy solutions for vessel power, including offshore wind and alternative fuels like hydrogen & ammonia.
Offshore & floating production of fuel ammonia has also been in the news headlines in 2022: a neat juxtaposition for offshore power applications like drilling platforms.