SAEK provided specialist electrical power systems advisory support during the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) phase of a major subsea-to-onshore gas processing development. The project comprised offshore production systems tied back to an onshore central processing facility, incorporating gas treatment and export via centralized compression infrastructure.
The development required a highly reliable and carefully engineered electrical power distribution system to support critical process operations, rotating equipment, and auxiliary systems across both offshore and onshore facilities. Electrical system performance, operability, and equipment rating selection were key design drivers during the FEED stage.
SAEK’s involvement focused specifically on the electrical power system engineering and analytical studies required to underpin the overall system architecture and inform key design decisions.
Electrical power systems technical advisory services were provided during the FEED phase of a major subsea-to-onshore gas processing development.
The work focused on the development, validation, and interpretation of electrical power system studies, and ensured that the proposed electrical distribution system was technically robust, operable under all credible operating conditions, and appropriately rated for both normal and abnormal scenarios.
This scope supported early-stage decision-making and reduced technical risk ahead of detailed design and procurement.
SAEK supported the development of the overall electrical distribution philosophy for the project, considering:
• Onshore power generation and distribution arrangements
• Interface with major rotating equipment and compression systems
• Redundancy, reliability, and operational flexibility requirements
• System performance under steady-state and transient conditions
This work ensured that the electrical system architecture aligned with process requirements, operational constraints, and long-term asset integrity objectives.
A comprehensive suite of electrical system studies was developed and validated using ETAP to support the FEED design. These studies included:
• Load flow analysis to verify system operating conditions across multiple operating scenarios
• Short-circuit studies to determine fault levels and support equipment rating selection
• Motor starting studies to assess voltage dips and starting performance of large motors
• System stability and dynamic performance assessments
The studies were used to test design assumptions, identify potential system constraints, and inform optimisation of the electrical distribution system.
Based on the power system study outputs, SAEK provided technical input to support:
• Selection and validation of equipment ratings
• Verification of switchgear, transformers, and protection levels
• Identification of margin requirements and design conservatism
• Alignment of electrical design with applicable standards and project criteria
This ensured that the electrical equipment specified during FEED was appropriately sized, technically defensible, and suitable for progression into later design stages.
Electrical system studies were aligned with process, mechanical, and instrumentation requirements to ensure a technically robust and operable design. This included:
• Verifying that the electrical distribution supported critical rotating equipment and process system
• Ensuring design assumptions were consistent with operational requirements
• Identifying potential constraints or conflicts early in the design phase
• Providing actionable recommendations to optimise system performance
This approach ensured that the electrical distribution design was technically sound, fully compatible with the broader facility systems, and ready for progression to detailed design.
SAEK’s electrical power systems advisory support contributed to:
• A technically sound and well-validated electrical distribution design
• Improved confidence in system operability and performance
• Early identification and mitigation of electrical system risks
• Informed equipment selection and design decisions during FEED
• Reduced likelihood of rework during later project phases
By providing independent, technically rigorous analysis, SAEK helped strengthen the electrical engineering foundations of the project ahead of detailed design and procurement.
Anonymous
Power System Studies, Validation & Advisory
Aug 2024 - Dec 2024
Project details have been anonymised and summarised to respect client, contractor, and commercial confidentiality obligations.
