SKF magnetic bearings installed in world’s first subsea gas compression system

SKF equips first ever subsea gas compression system at Statoil-operated Asgard gas field.

 

Gothenburg, 10 November, 2015: SKF has supplied magnetic bearings for use in the world’s first subsea gas compression system at the Asgard gas field off the Norwegian coast. SKF has been involved in the development of the project for five years, working in conjunction with MAN Diesel & Turbo, the manufacturer of the electric motor-driven centrifugal compressors that are a part of the overall gas compression system.

  

Traditionally, gas is pumped from the seabed to the surface, where it is compressed on platforms. At Asgard, the compression chambers are located on the seabed, near the wellheads, in order to maximise gas recovery and thereby prolonging the production lifetime of the gas field.

 

Ole Kristian Joedahl, Sales and Marketing Director, Industrial Market, says, “Our magnetic bearings played a key role in developing this autonomous subsea gas compression system, a significant step for the oil and gas industry. They simplify the system architecture by removing the need for lubricating oil, seals and gearbox. Furthermore, the magnetic bearings are frictionless, enabling higher rotation speeds, leading to smaller compressor modules and, ultimately, lighter processing plant infrastructure and reduced environmental impact.”

 

In addition to the magnetic bearings, SKF is also providing a remote bearing control and monitoring system which facilitates accurate maintenance planning.

 

Aktiebolaget SKF 

      (publ)

 

For further information, please contact: 

PRESS: Theo Kjellberg, Director, Press Relations 

tel: 46 31 337 6576, mobile: 46 725-776576, e-mail: theo.kjellberg@skf.com

 

INVESTOR RELATIONS: Patrik Stenberg, Head of Investor Relations 

Patrik Stenberg, 46 31-337 2104; 46 705-472 104; patrik.stenberg@skf.com

 

SKF is a leading global supplier of bearings, seals, mechatronics, lubrication systems, and services which include technical support, maintenance and reliability services, engineering consulting and training. SKF is represented in more than 130 countries and has around 15,000 distributor locations worldwide. Annual sales in 2014 were SEK 70 975 million and the number of employees was 48 593. www.skf.com

 

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