A Review of Engineering and Safety Considerations for Hybrid-Power (Lithium-Ion) Systems in Offshore Applications

topside and subsea systems enjoy the same benefits (increased efficiency and reduced costs), yet for different reasons. Oil and gas stakeholders must determine when and where hybrid-power systems provide the most value for operations, how they should be implemented, what technologies are acceptable, what safety considerations there may be, system suitability for extreme environments, and how these technologies can improve the bottom line. There is a wealth of information on Li-ion batteries, though it is not all consistent—cost data are unclear, lifetime and energy density considerations vary under different conditions, and ruggedness and application to harsh environments constitute a large uncertainty. In the following sections, we will address these issues to help provide clarification for the oil and gas operator.