Design and Analysis of Electric Powertrains for Offshore Drilling Applications

Elektriske aktuatorsystemer er i økende grad et ønske fra offshoreindustrien. De viktigste fordelene ved denne type fremdrift og motorer er høy pålitelighet, robusthet, lettere vedlikehold, lang levetid og lavere kostnader. Disse karakteristika passer med økte krav til det utstyret som skal operere under røffe forhold offshore. Utfordringene med dagens elektriske motorer er at de ofte er for store og det er derfor behov for å optimalisere fremtidens design av elektriske aktiveringssystemer. Forskningen som er utført i dette prosjektet så langt gir et grunnlag for å sammenlikne hvilke metoder som gir det mest kompakte design av et elektrisk system i en gitt anvendelse. Det pågående arbeidet bidrar innenfor to områder. For det første vil det forbedre teknikker for håndtering av sykliske laster. For det andre vil det beskrive en case-studie av hvordan simuleringsbasert engineering er benyttet til å løse industrielle utfordringer.

Due to the increased interest in developing new oil fields in the Arctic, it is strongly recommended that the petroleum enterprises in the years to come invest in technology which makes exploratory drilling less difficult, more cost effective and environm ent friendly. Hydraulic motors which have been typically used for offshore drilling applications since 1970s are not always suitable to operate in harsh Arctic conditions. Among their main disadvantages one can mention leakage, noise or high cost. On the other hand, some types of electric motors are characterised by improved control features, reduced energy consumption, higher reliability over time as well as lower emissions and eliminated risk of oil leakages to sea water. These drives have better impac t on the environment and offer greater flexibility in the drilling applications. The main purpose of this project is to introduce and put into wider use a new type of electric actuation system for drilling equipment used in the oil and gas offshore indus try. The project will focus on improving control strategies for electric motors to operate under varying load and environmental conditions. The developed control algorithms will be tested and verified on optimised virtual and real models of a typical offs hore drilling machine. The project will help the offshore industry to satisfy strict safety and environmental requirements associated with developing new oil fields in the Arctic.