MAN Diesel & Turbo forms subsea compression alliance with Aker Solutions

Aker Solutions and MAN Diesel&Turbo recently agreed to form an alliance to develop the next generation in subsea compression systems that can be used at even the smallest oil and gas fields to increase recovery and lower costs compared with conventional platform solutions.

The two companies will build on their experience and cooperation from the successful delivery of the first subsea gas compression system at the Åsgard field in Norway. A key objective of the partnership is to develop new, cost-effective technology for high-capacity subsea compression systems.

The alliance combines Aker Solutions' capabilities in subsea processing, compression systems, controls, systems and interventions with MAN Diesel & Turbo's leading turbomachinery technology and its extensive gas compression expertise. The compression systems will be based on proven technology and for use at small subsea fields as well as large deposits such as Åsgard.

Compressors are used to maintain output as reservoir pressure at gas-producing fields decline. Placing them on the seabed near the wellheads boosts recovery rates, leaves a smaller environmental footprint and is

safer to operate than on a platform.

Aker Solutions delivered the subsea compression system at Åsgard, which came on stream on September 17 to enable the recovery of an additional 306 million barrels of oil equivalents from the Statoil-operated field.

MAN Diesel & Turbo, a sub-supplier to the project, is the first turbomachinery manufacturer to have developed a centrifugal compressor installed on the seafloor. This technology has undergone an extensive

qualification program and was successfully tested for the Åsgard project.

Aker Solutions and MAN Diesel & Turbo will provide customers with subsea compression systems based on current solutions as well as develop the next generation in this technology.