China unveils cutting-edge waste heat power unit

August 16, 2024

China has successfully developed the world’s first 5MW offshore high-temperature flue gas waste heat power generation unit. China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC) delivered the unit in Tianjin.

The unit, which will be demonstrated in the Wenchang 9-7 oilfield development project, is expected to boost green and low-carbon development in offshore oil and gas fields under the dual carbon goals, according to CNOOC. 
 
The unit effectively turns waste heat, produced during power station operations, into clean power.

Unit to boost waste heat utilization potential of the power station to 60%-70%
 
The power station acts as the “heart” of an offshore platform, which produces electricity by burning the oil and gas produced on the platform. 
 
However, this process will release a large amount of high-temperature flue gas, becoming one of the main sources of carbon emissions in offshore oil and gas development, according to China’s State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council. 
 
Compared to traditional flue gas combustion and emissions, the installation of this high-temperature waste heat power generation unit can increase the waste heat utilization potential of the power station to 60 to 70 percent, significantly improving energy efficiency, reported China Daily. 
 
Unit will increase energy efficiency of main power station
 
This will help increase the energy efficiency of the main power station by around 7%. The unit will significantly lower the consumption of crude oil and natural gas in offshore oil and gas fields.

In a year, the unit will be able to generate enough electricity to meet the annual demand of around 30,000 households as it could generate 40 million kWh. 
 
The unit could also save around 300 million cubic meters of natural gas consumption in a 20-year-period, and offset carbon dioxide emissions by around 800,000 tonnes, which is similar to planting 7.5 million trees. 
 
Unit represents significant technological breakthrough
 
CNOOC claimed that to date, there have been no established methods for utilizing high-temperature waste heat offshore, globally or domestically. This device represents a significant technological breakthrough in offshore oil and gas operations, reported CGTN. 
 
Recently, China also delivered largest overseas offshore oil platform to Saudi Arabia. The country’s heaviest offshore oil and gas platform destined for overseas markets was completed and delivered at a production facility in Qingdao, East China’s Shandong Province.

The completion of the Marjan oil and gas collection and transportation platform marks a breakthrough in China’s capacity for the construction of large-scale offshore oil and gas equipment.The platform, weighing more than 17,200 tons, is one of the world’s largest, reported Global Times. 
 
Taller than a 24-story building with a deck area equivalent to 15 basketball courts, the platform was constructed in 34 months. 
 
It will set sail at the end of August on a large transport ship to its designated installation area some 6,400 nautical miles away, according to reports.