Offshore gas compression challenges to reduce the carbon footprint in a needed transition.

The Oil and Gas industry must reduce its carbon footprint and transition to a more sustainable operating model while meeting an increase in demand for gas. To address this challenge, offshore operators are seeking new solutions that can reduce carbon emissions, increase reliability, and enable unmanned operations. This paper proposes oil-free high-speed moto-compressor solutions as a technical alternative to overcome the drawbacks of traditional oil-lubricated compression solutions. High-speed motors offer the possibility to reduce rotor weight and overall dimensions, better match the speed to the compressor's optimal one, and eliminate the need for an intermediate gearbox. Oil-free compression solutions can also result in a reduction in the overall package footprint and weight of up to 50% while providing unmanned capability. Magnetic bearings have been used in natural gas centrifugal compressors since the late 1980s, providing higher speed capabilities, improved reliability, and reduced friction and wear. Baker Hughes has been a leader in implementing magnetic bearing technology and continues to develop this technology in various applications, including hybrid platform solutions. The use of stand-alone magnetic bearing compressors is seen as a promising solution to tap offshore wells more effectively and address the challenges of decarbonization, new geopolitical situations, and technology improvements. This paper will compare two type of electric motor possibilities, one based on a Low-speed motor with a gearbox and a stand-alone compressor all on oil bearing solutions and the other with a direct drive high speed electric motor with a stand alone compressor on magnetic bearings (oil free solution).