TotalEnergies’ floating wind project promises to transform offshore oil and gas forever

TotalEnergies has announced the launch of a pilot project involving a floating wind turbine to provide renewable power to the Culzean offshore platform in the UK North Sea, marking a significant step towards decarbonization in offshore oil and gas operations.

The 3 MW floating wind turbine will be situated 2 km west of the Culzean platform, located 220 km off the eastern coast of Scotland. Scheduled to be fully operational by the end of 2025, this turbine is expected to supply around 20% of the Culzean platform’s power needs, significantly reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The turbine will be installed on a modular, light semi-submersible floater hull designed by Ocergy, which is optimized for fast assembly and cost efficiency.

Marie-Noelle Semeria, Chief Technology Officer at TotalEnergies, highlighted the significance of the project, stating, “This innovative pilot project aims at proving the concept of hybridization of power generation on an offshore facility, by integrating the generation of renewable electricity from a floating wind turbine with the existing power generation from gas turbines. It also aims at qualifying a promising floater design for the future of floating offshore wind.”

The project was chosen as part of Crown Estate Scotland’s Innovation and Targeted Oil & Gas (INTOG) leasing round, which supports the use of offshore wind energy to directly power offshore oil and gas platforms. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to reduce carbon emissions in the energy sector by integrating renewable energy solutions with conventional fossil fuel operations.

The Pilot Project’s Role in Offshore Decarbonization

This project represents a crucial milestone for TotalEnergies in its ambition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The use of a floating wind turbine provides a dual benefit: it not only offsets the platform’s carbon emissions but also serves as a proving ground for the viability of integrating renewable and conventional power generation in remote offshore environments. The hybrid power generation model combines renewable energy from the floating wind turbine with the existing gas turbine power generation on the platform, which could pave the way for future offshore decarbonization projects.

The project’s floater design, developed by Ocergy, is particularly notable for its modular and lightweight semi-submersible structure, which allows for rapid deployment and reduced installation costs. This design could set a precedent for future offshore wind projects, especially in locations where traditional fixed-bottom turbines are not feasible.

Future Implications for Floating Offshore Wind

TotalEnergies’ initiative aligns with the growing trend of integrating renewable energy sources within the oil and gas industry, a move that is increasingly being seen as essential to meeting global climate goals. The success of this pilot could have broader implications for the future of offshore wind technology, particularly in challenging environments such as the North Sea. If successful, this model could be replicated across other offshore platforms worldwide, significantly contributing to the decarbonization of the oil and gas sector.

By pioneering this hybrid approach, TotalEnergies demonstrates a commitment to reducing its carbon footprint while exploring innovative solutions that leverage its existing offshore infrastructure. The project reinforces the potential of floating wind technology as a key component in the transition towards more sustainable energy systems, helping to bridge the gap between current fossil fuel reliance and future renewable energy dominance.