Benestad High Voltage Power Wet Mate Connection System Phase II

Benestad Solutions AS is working on development of a high voltage Power String (Wet Mate Connectors, penetrator with cable) for subsea power distribution. Subsea connectors are used in connection systems together with transformers, subsea pumps, compressors etc. Renewable energy such as Offshore Wind, Wave Energy, Tidal Energy are all drivers for subsea connectors between modules and to shore. Subsea connectors will allow parts of the power grid to be placed subsea and allow applications further from shore and in more difficult environments. The oil and gas industry is moving towards subsea installations instead of large oil platforms. This means that pumps, compressors and other electrical equipment are placed on the seabed. Connectors for power cables are currently one of the main cost drivers for subsea installations, thus profitability and the development of new fields and modernization of old ones. Benestad Wet Mate Connection System will have a product cost reduction compared to similar connection systems available on the market today. Size (weight and volume) is reduced which in addition reduces cost of subsea modules, installation and maintenance. Additional functionality allows for troubleshooting from the surface without the use of costly subsea intervention. One application being subsea gas compression which increased the recovery rates while keeping CO2 emissions and energy needs low. Another application is subsea liquid oil pumping giving similar effects as for compression. For subsea CO2 re-injection the same technologies are also required for gas and dense phase. The core idea is the mating system and high voltage wet mates can be used in any situation where high voltage connections are required under water. The same design philosophy can be used for standardization of a whole range of subsea electrical connectors required by the market today and in the future. The project has completed several small-scale tests with success. The power string is now being asembled and prepared for qualification testing.

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Benestad Solutions AS is moving towards expanding our product portfolio of advanced subsea products for electrical power distribution to include a complete Wet Mate Connector string containing wet mate connector and/penetrator for subsea pumps, offshore wind, wave energy, compressors, transformers etc. The objective of this project is to complete the development of a 36 kV/2000A Power System String which is system integration of wet mate connector towards a connection system, system integration of penetrator towards subsea modules and qualification of the string including penetrator. This application is a continuation of an ongoing Demo 2000 project. During phase I of the project all critical functions in the female and male wet mate connectors were identified and each of these have been tested separately to verify that each of the solutions for these functions work. For phase II (which is the target of this application) a complete Power string with male/female connectors and penetrator will be qualified. Wet Mate Connector together with a cable and penetrator makes an complete Power System string. During the qualification will the power system be showcased both internally and to external potential customers. This will be an important aspect in the commercialisation of the product. In addition it will allow us to continue the completion of the connection system for the connector to enable the fully integrated Benestad WMCS which will include all required products for a complete subsea high voltage wet mate connection system. The core idea and design of the high voltage Power system string is that it can be used in any situation where high voltage connections are required under water. The same design philosophy can be used for a whole range of subsea electrical connectors required by the market today and in the future. The wet mate connector is well suited for use in offshore and marine applications. During phase I of the project new potential markets have opened up for high power connectors. The market for renewable energy will fit the wet mate connector well. Connectors for a wide range of green energy sources will be needed to cover the future market of offshore renewable energy. The power system string will consist of a ROV installable wet mate connector and penetrator that manage the power up to 25 MW. The power system string consist of a penetrator, which is a sealing between seawater and the internals of a module, and a wet mate connector which allows submerged connection of two cables. The Benestad power string will be unique in the market due to its combination of high power and low weight. Furthermore it allows for standardization in different sizes and configurations, reduced manufacturing cost, reduced size requirements towards interfacing equipment, and consequently a significant reduction of CAPEX and OPEX for customers as well as increased flexibility in development of field solutions.