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Which Oil and Gas Projects Use High-Voltage Cables

Meta Description: Discover how high-voltage cables power critical oil and gas projects worldwide. Learn about their applications in offshore drilling, subsea operations, LNG plants, and more.

URL Slug: oil-gas-projects-high-voltage-cables

High-voltage cables are indispensable in modern oil and gas operations, enabling efficient power transmission in challenging environments. From deepwater drilling to Arctic exploration, these cables ensure reliable energy delivery for critical infrastructure. In this article, we explore the types of oil and gas projects that rely on high-voltage cables, their technical requirements, and real-world examples.

1. Offshore Oil and Gas Platforms

Offshore platforms, particularly in deepwater regions, depend on high-voltage cables (typically 33 kV to 220 kV) to transmit electricity from onshore grids or offshore power modules.

Subsea Power Distribution: Cables supply power to subsea pumps, compressors, and control systems in projects like Norway’s Johan Sverdrup field, where 150 kV cables connect platforms to shore, reducing CO₂ emissions by 80% compared to gas turbines.
Floating Production Units: Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels, such as Brazil’s Búzios field, use high-voltage dynamic cables to handle harsh marine conditions while powering onboard processing equipment.

Key Benefit: Reduced reliance on diesel generators cuts operational costs and environmental impact.

2. Subsea Processing Systems

Subsea processing requires robust cables to operate equipment at depths exceeding 3,000 meters.

High-Pressure, High-Temperature (HPHT) Fields: Projects like Shell’s Stones Field in the Gulf of Mexico use 72 kV cables to power subsea boosting systems, enhancing oil recovery in ultra-deepwater environments.
Subsea Compression: Equinor’s Åsgard Field in Norway employs 132 kV cables to run subsea compressors, extending field life by 20 years.

Technical Challenge: Cables must resist corrosion, hydrogen penetration, and mechanical stress.

3. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Facilities

LNG plants require massive power inputs for cooling and compression. High-voltage cables (up to 400 kV) feed electricity to:

Cryogenic refrigeration units.
Gas turbine drivers (e.g., Chevron’s Gorgon LNG Project in Australia).
Export pumps and storage systems.

Case Study: The Ichthys LNG Project in Australia uses 220 kV submarine cables to supply power from the mainland to offshore facilities, ensuring uninterrupted operations.

4. Arctic and Remote Onshore Projects

In extreme climates, high-voltage cables provide stable power where traditional infrastructure is impractical.

Yamal LNG Project (Russia): 220 kV cables withstand -50°C temperatures to power gas liquefaction units.
Alaska’s North Slope: Cables transmit power from centralized plants to drilling sites, minimizing footprint in ecologically sensitive tundra regions.

Advantage: Reduced need for on-site generators lowers emissions and logistical complexity.

5. Renewable-Integrated Oil & Gas Operations

As the industry decarbonizes, hybrid projects combine high-voltage cables with renewables:

Hywind Tampen (Norway): The world’s first floating wind farm powers nearby oil platforms via 66 kV cables, slashing CO₂ emissions by 200,000 tons annually.
Solar-Powered Oilfields: Middle Eastern fields like Saudi Aramco’s Safaniyah use high-voltage links to integrate solar farms with existing grids.