Transocean Semi-Submersible is First to Use Battery Power for Drilling Operations

Transocean Spitsbergen. Photo: Equinor / Kenneth Engelsvold

Deepwater drilling contractor Transocean says it has deployed that world’s first hybrid battery system on floating drilling rig to supplement power needs during drilling operations.

They hybrid energy storage system was deployed on its Transocean Spitsbergen semi-submersible at the Snorre Field in Norway.

Transocean says the patented technology targets a 14 percent reduction in fuel consumption by capturing energy generated during normal operations and storing it in batteries.

“Transocean’s patented hybrid power technology, developed in partnership with Aspin Kemp and Associates, reduces fuel consumption and increases a dynamically positioned rig’s station-keeping reliability by capturing energy generated during normal rig operations that would otherwise be wasted, and storing it in batteries,” Transocean said in a press release. “This energy is then used to power the rig’s thrusters.  This important operational and safety enhancement targets a 14% reduction in fuel use during normal operations, leading to a significant reduction in NOx and CO2 emissions.”

Transocean says its investment in the system was funded in part through fuel saving incentives in its contract with Equinor and by the Norwegian NOx Fund.

“This first of its kind hybrid power upgrade will further enhance the reliability of our operations, while simultaneously reducing fuel consumption, operating costs and our environmental footprint,” said Jeremy Thigpen, President and CEO. “We are pleased and proud to work alongside Equinor to jointly identify and implement more efficient and sustainable technology to deliver high-value wells to the industry.”

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