The world’s energy industry is currently in a time of transition, endeavoring to supply the world with affordable, clean and reliable energy to meet the increasing demand. DNV GL proposed in 2014 the WIN WIN (WINd powered Water Injection) concept, combining the development of floating wind turbine technology with the oil industry’s need for maximizing oil recovery and reducing costs and emissions. The concept is a fully stand-alone system, comprising a floating wind turbine supplying power to a water injection process.

Participants from the industry have between 2015 and 2018 worked together in two phases of a DNV GL-led Joint Industry Project (JIP) to develop the WIN WIN concept. Vår Energi and ExxonMobil were partners in the second phase of the JIP, with the Norwegian Research Council as additional sponsor. The concept consists of proven components subjected to a new application. The electrical system and controls represents a critical subsystem. Advanced simulations and testing of this subsystem have successfully been performed in DNV GL’s Power Laboratories. Based on the results, the concept has increased its TRL and is ready for prototype validation. A WIN WIN type system could be developed with multiple configurations, designs and applications. Such applications include subsea or topside applications. It could be implemented in deep or shallow water, for greenfield developments or related to field lifetime extensions.

This presentation aims to share some of the learnings from the WIN WIN JIP, representing the first commercially competitive step to integrate wind technology with oil & gas operations.