Enhanced Electrification of O&G Production Platforms in the Gulf of America

Dipl. Phys. Heinrich Duden (CTO, Bluefin Energy LLC), Raymond A. Dackerman (CEO, Bluefin Energy LLC)

Abstract

Bluefin Energy LLC (“Bluefin”) is a development company dedicated to offshore decarbonization utilizing cost-effective, proven technology solutions. Bluefin’s objective in the Gulf of America (“GOA”) is to partially power deep water oil & gas (“O&G”) production platforms with floating wind turbines. Floating offshore wind energy turbines (“Floaters”) can provide stable and cost-effective electricity to select worldwide locations. Despite technical challenges, floating offshore wind development has been growing for nearly 20 years with solutions that have reached a sufficient technology readiness level for commercial projects. This presentation provides insight into the technological choices of floaters and mooring systems, together with some physical and technical baselines. Technical challenges for offshore wind power such as major component exchange in harsh environments will also be addressed. Decarbonization of O&G production platforms in the GOA will require adaptation of the electrical system on the platform that may also entail an additional system to balance demand and supply of energy. Technical solutions to decarbonize O&G production platforms include constraints to manufacture the structures, towing to and mooring them on-site, as well as operation and maintenance operations in a cost-effective manner. LCOE (Levelized Cost of Energy) drives the commercial basis of such projects. In addition to commercial use, there is an opportunity to co-use the infrastructure of floating offshore wind turbines for deep-sea science and engineering studies.

Background information

Bluefin Energy

Bluefin Energy LLC ("Bluefin") is a Louisiana-based offshore wind energy development company dedicated to offshore decarbonization utilizing cost-effective, proven technology solutions.  Bluefin’s initial business target will be partial decarbonization of existing oil and gas (“O&G”) deep water production platforms in the US Gulf of America ("GOA") with floating offshore wind turbines.  The deployed technologies will involve the use of multiple floating offshore wind turbines operating within the defined parameters of existing, federally issued, mineral leases modified to allow for remote power generation on active lease blocks.  Bluefin's international team has decades of experience in the construction, transport, installation, and operations & maintenance of offshore O&G production platforms and offshore wind turbines.  Bluefin seeks to provide the initial feasibility studies, partially invest in the special purpose vehicle entities, and lead the project development of viable GOA floating offshore wind electrification ventures.    

Raymond A. Dackerman

Ray, the Founder and CEO of Bluefin Energy LLC, initiated and led the team that introduced the first floating offshore wind project in the United States.  In 2008, he obtained an unprecedented offshore wind energy project support letter from former U.S. Climate Envoy John Kerry, the late Senator Ted Kennedy, and the entire Massachusetts Congressional Delegation.  As the Founder of Blue H Technologies B.V.’s US subsidiary – Blue H USA LLC, Ray and his Blue H USA team procured the first permit in North America to deploy a full-scale floating offshore wind energy platform 23 miles off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.  He raised financing for and presented Blue H USA LLC to former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, former Maine Governor John Baldacci, United States Senator from Maine Angus King, MIT, NPR, various media, & numerous industry forums.  Ray, with over 35-years’ experience in various marine industries, has served on boards including the Maine Renewable Energy Association, Massachusetts Affordable Renewable Electricity Alliance, and was a U.S. Advisor to ICCAT (52-country member organization for the conservation of tunas).  He was designated by the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory to peer review its Puerto Rico Wind Cost Study, participated as a faculty member for Law Seminars International ‘Coastline Permitting & Development in Massachusetts’ conference, authored a Puerto Rico floating offshore wind energy business plan, and secured an MBA degree in International Management from Tulane University, A.B. Freeman School of Business in 1999.

Heinrich Duden

Heinrich Duden, the CTO of Bluefin Energy LLC, has over 25-years’ experience at the forefront of both bottom-fixed and floating offshore wind projects in Germany, Denmark, France, Taiwan, UK, Japan, and Malta.  As the Managing Partner of ep4 offshore GmbH (“ep4”), an offshore wind project management and consulting company, Heinrich’s client list includes but is not limited  to Mingyang Europe, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ørsted, MPI Offshore Ltd, Blue H Technologies B.V., Nordsee One, Veja Mate Offshore Project, Baltic Eagle, Le Treport / Noir Moutier, Ghanghau Phase II, Formosa, Global Tech 1, MHI Vestas Offshore Wind AS, Taiwan Power Company, and Deutsche Bucht.  Ep4’s wide array of services include negotiation and management of WTG service contracts, OPEX estimates and budgeting, O&M design and planning, HR planning, specification of Crew Transfer Vessels (CTV) and Service Operations Vessels (SOV), business development support, support in vessel contract negotiations based on Baltic International Marine Council (“BIMCO”), analysis of risk and interface matrix, supply, and service contracts,  analysis of site surveys, O&M, CAPEX, and OPEX documentation.  In 2019, Heinrich became certified as an occupational health engineer (equal to NEBOSH).  Heinrich is active in offshore wind as an owner’s engineer and interim management, technical due diligence, HSE management, O&M, logistics, and permit management.  In 2021, Heinrich established another company to develop PV power plants in Germany.  Since 2022, Heinrich has been in an apprenticeship to become a state-appointed expert for facilities handling materials hazardous to water.  After 6 years of studying physics, Heinrich secured his Dipl. Phys., from the University of Hamburg in 1999.