The newest – and probably the largest - floating platform unit (FPU) to be deployed by Brazilian oil major, Petrobras, in the Campos Basin off the coast of Brazil relies heavily on WEG HV electric motors, inverters and generators for its continuous reliable operation in the worst of environmental conditions.
Deployed about 120km out to sea in the Marlim Leste oilfield, the P-53 FPU is the size of the Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro, one of the largest in the world. The platform uses WEG medium and high voltage motors to drive water injection pumps to pump water into the oil well; this in order to maintain high levels of extraction and avoid internal low-pressure conditions. WEG motors also drive the pumps used for oil production outflow from the platform, and those responsible for cooling systems on the platform.
The compression modules used on P-53 are supplied by DRVA, a consortium of Dresser-Rand and Vetco Aibel. These units also depend for their reliable operation on three WEG 13,500kW, 4 pole, 6600V, synchronous motors driven by frequency inverters. The motors and inverters were supplied as integrated systems by WEG to Dresser-Rand in USA, one of the largest and most important process suppliers to oil platforms, and to the Oil & Gas market in general.
The supply of three compression module motors to P-53 follows the success of three identical WEG motors which are already in operation on the Petrobras P-54 platform. These drive Dresser-Rand compressors, exporting the gas extracted from Module 2 of Roncador Field, in the Campos Basin in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The P-54 project is targeted to provide production of 180,000 barrels of oil, and 6-million cubic metres of gas per day- the same amount projected for P-53 when it is in full production. On both platforms, motors supplied by WEG are playing a key role in helping to achieve these targets.
Generators and LV Panels
In addition to HV motors, WEG has also supplied P-53 with four 28.75MVA WEG generators driven by generation module turbines; a 42- column load centre of 4000A - 65kA (resistant to internal electric arc); and a 49 removable- column MCC. Specially designed for offshore application, the low voltage panels will be installed on Electric Modules P-08 and P-06, all of which have been totally tested and approved, and are Bureau Veritas certified.
WEG designed and manufactured the motors, inverters and generators for P-53 in accordance with the most advanced technological processes. The equipment was evaluated in conformance with strict certification criteria by inspectors from all the companies participating in the P-53 project - equipment manufacturers, certification entities, QUIP and Petrobras.
