ABB powers into Valhall

has been awarded $50 million by BP in Norway to supply equipment for an underwater power link.

ABB will supply the converter stations at each end of the 292-kilometre cable that will bring DC power from Lista in southern Norway to the Valhall oil field in the North Sea where it will be converted to AC. The system uses High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Light technology.

According to ABB, the power link will replace offshore gas turbines and cut emissions of carbon dioxide by 300,000 tons per year, equivalent to the amount generated by about 30,000 households. It will also cut maintenance and reduce the weight of equipment on the platform.

The installation will deliver 78 megawatts of power when it starts operating in 2009, enough to run Valhall and other platforms in the field.

Execution of the project is subject to approval of a redevelopment plan for the oil field that will be submitted to the Norwegian authorities in August.