Growing demand for decentralised power plants in the oil and gas sector is being fuelled by environmental developments and a surging oil price according to engine and power system provider Wärtsilä.
In a statement released to the media, the company sited a variety of international influences, including efforts to reduce flaring of associated gases from oil production, as reason for increasing demand for alternative power supplies. This in turn has resulted in several new contracts for Wärtsilä during 2007 to supply power plants, based on reciprocating engines developed for various petroleum industry applications.
“This successful string of new orders is a result of Wärtsilä’s efforts during many years to develop the fuel flexibility of our heavy-duty gas and diesel engines. The engines can today meet the specific demands of the oil and gas industry by being able to burn crude oils, associated gases and high viscosity fuels, such as process bottom oils from refineries,” said Harry Lindroos, director of Oil and Gas of Wärtsilä Power Plants.
As an example, Wärtsilä was awarded a contract by Lukoil Energy & Gas Ukraine in August 2007 to supply an 18 MWe diesel power plant for the Odessa oil refinery in Ukraine. Due for delivery in spring 2008, the plant will burn very high viscosity residual oils from the refinery. The plant will be equipped with two Wärtsilä 20V32 diesel generating sets, together with other equipment from Wärtsilä.
In Western Siberia, Wärtsilä was awarded a contract in early 2007 for a 42.7 MWe gas-fired power plant for a Rosneft oil company crude oil pumping station on the Vankor-Gubkinskoje oil export pipe in Russia. The plant is due for completion at the beginning of 2009.
The Vankor pumping station will be equipped with six generating sets powered by Wärtsilä 34SG gas engines using associated gas as the fuel. Four sets will have 20-cylinder engines and two will have nine-cylinder engines. The combined electrical output will be 42,696 kW.
