Evaluate whether an offshore platform is technically and economically suited to power-from-shore electrification.
Oil, Gas & Energy
Power from Shore and Offshore Grid Connections for Oil and Gas Platforms
Assess power-from-shore and offshore grid connection options for oil and gas platforms, covering cable engineering, converter integration, grid code compliance and decommissioning of onboard generation.
🗓️Duration5 training days
📚Content4 modules · 8 sessions
🎓On completionAccredited attendance certificate
About the programme
Course Overview
Offshore oil and gas platforms have traditionally generated their own electricity from gas turbines, burning associated or produced gas at the point of use. As operators face tightening emissions targets and rising carbon costs, connecting platforms to an onshore grid or a dedicated offshore grid removes that combustion source entirely and replaces it with imported power, often from lower-carbon generation. This course examines how power-from-shore and offshore grid connection projects are engineered and delivered, from the initial choice between HVAC and HVDC transmission through subsea cable routing, converter station design and topside integration, to grid code compliance and reliability planning. Teaching combines technical walkthroughs of cable specification, load flow studies and redundancy philosophy with case-style exercises in business case development and project phasing around platform shutdown windows. Participants leave able to evaluate whether a platform is a credible electrification candidate, specify the cable and converter package it needs, and plan the transition away from onboard turbine generation with a defensible cost and emissions case.
Expected Learning Outcomes
Compare HVAC and HVDC transmission options against distance, capacity and redundancy requirements.
Specify subsea cable routing, burial protection and installation methods for a platform tie-in.
Design converter station and topside electrical integration within platform space and weight limits.
Conduct grid code compliance studies covering fault ride-through, reactive power and voltage control.
Plan N-1 redundancy, backup generation and black-start contingencies for a grid-connected platform.
Build a business case and phased delivery plan for retiring onboard gas turbine generation.
Who Should Attend
Electrical engineers working on offshore platform power systems.
Subsea and power system engineers evaluating grid connection options.
Project managers delivering platform electrification or brownfield tie-in projects.
Asset and operations managers assessing decarbonisation options for offshore facilities.
Regulatory and grid compliance specialists supporting interconnection applications.
Energy transition and sustainability leads building emissions reduction business cases.
Course Modules
Select any module to see its sessions and points.
01Electrification Drivers and Connection Architecture Choices
2 sessions · 8 points
Session 1Why Platforms Move to Power from Shore
- Compare lifecycle CO2 and cost profiles of gas turbine generation against imported grid power for a representative platform.
- Analyse how carbon pricing, methane regulation and flaring limits change the economics of onboard combustion.
- Map the energy trilemma trade-offs between reliability, affordability and emissions for offshore electrification decisions.
- Screen a portfolio of platforms against distance-to-shore, load profile and remaining field life to shortlist candidates.
Session 2Selecting HVAC or HVDC Grid Connection Architecture
- Apply distance and capacity thresholds to decide between HVAC and HVDC transmission for a given platform tie-in.
- Compare radial, looped and multi-terminal topologies for connecting single platforms or clustered offshore assets.
- Assess voltage level selection and reactive power compensation needs across long subsea AC cable routes.
- Evaluate hybrid architectures that combine shore power import with retained emergency turbine generation.
02Subsea Cable and Converter Station Engineering
2 sessions · 8 points
Session 1Subsea Cable Specification and Route Engineering
- Specify cable conductor size, XLPE insulation class and armouring for the platform's load and route conditions.
- Interpret bathymetric and geotechnical survey data to define a cable route avoiding seabed hazards and infrastructure.
- Determine burial depth and mechanical protection requirements in trawling, anchoring and crossing zones.
- Sequence cable-lay vessel operations, including shore landing, mid-sea jointing and platform riser pull-in.
Session 2Converter Station and Topside Electrical Integration
- Design AC/DC converter station layouts within offshore topside space, weight and hazardous-area constraints.
- Specify harmonic filtering and power quality mitigation for converter-fed platform electrical systems.
- Integrate switchgear, transformers and protection relays for a shore-connected platform distribution system.
- Plan brownfield retrofit sequencing that keeps the platform powered during the transition to shore supply.
03Grid Code Compliance and Operational Reliability
2 sessions · 8 points
Session 1Grid Code Compliance and Interconnection Studies
- Run load flow and short-circuit studies to demonstrate compliance with the onshore grid operator's connection code.
- Model fault ride-through performance of the platform's converter and protection system under grid disturbances.
- Design reactive power and voltage control schemes that meet interconnection agreement obligations.
- Draft the technical sections of an interconnection agreement with the transmission system operator.
Session 2Reliability, Redundancy and Contingency Planning
- Apply N-1 redundancy criteria to cable, converter and switchgear configuration for a grid-connected platform.
- Size backup or emergency generation needed to cover a loss-of-shore-supply contingency.
- Develop black-start and blackout recovery procedures for a platform reliant on imported power.
- Set up condition monitoring for subsea cable insulation, temperature and partial discharge indicators.
04Project Delivery, Economics and Decommissioning of Onboard Generation
2 sessions · 8 points
Session 1Business Case and Delivery Planning
- Build a capex/opex business case comparing shore power investment against continued turbine fuel and maintenance costs.
- Test the business case against carbon price and grid tariff sensitivities over the project's economic life.
- Sequence project execution around platform shutdown windows to minimise production deferral.
- Identify regulatory incentives and grid connection cost allocation rules relevant to the project location.
Session 2Decommissioning Onboard Generation and Reporting the Transition
- Plan the decommissioning or mothballing of gas turbine generators once shore power reaches full reliability.
- Update the platform's emissions inventory and regulatory reporting to reflect the switch to imported power.
- Manage workforce transition and retraining needs as onboard generation and maintenance roles change.
- Run a lessons-learned review comparing delivered project performance against the original business case.
What the participant receives
4 course modules
A structured syllabus
8 training sessions
across 5 days
32 detailed points
Applied, detailed content
Accredited attendance certificate
On completing the programme
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