11 May 2021 12:18 GMT Updated 11 May 2021 14:32 GMT
The Canadian government is backing commercialisation of a floating wind-powered drilling concept developed by sector pioneer Saitec and Newfoundland-based consultancy Waterford Energy Services (WES) that could be used to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from oil & gas operations off the country’s maritime provinces.
The concept, being funded from a C$24.4m ($20m) pot at Natural Resources Canada (NRC), is envisioned as a “plug-and-play” clean-energy power unit based on Saitec s SATH (swing around twin hull) design that could run mobile drilling rigs and other offshore installations in the Grand Banks area “and abroad”.
“Commonly, professionals from the oil & gas Industry have joined the offshore wind industry bringing valuable know-how and skills. Paradoxically, Saitec is taking the opposite direction coming from the renewable world to oil & gas,” said David Carroscosa, Saitec’s CTO.