Power generation accounts for the majority of Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions in the offshore oil and gas sector, with the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) producing around 18 million tons of CO2 annually. Approximately 75% of these emissions come from electricity generation, primarily through gas turbine generators (GTGs). Reducing reliance on fossil fuels is essential for meeting decarbonization targets, especially in regions like the North Sea, where carbon tax penalties are increasing.
Electrifying offshore platforms using utility power from shore is a practical strategy to lower carbon footprints. Operators are also exploring offshore microgrids and harnessing clean energy from wind, solar, and tidal sources. However, installing transformers poses challenges, particularly in brownfield sites with space constraints. Subsea transformer installations can alleviate these issues, especially when paired with advanced wet-mate connectors and digital monitoring systems.
