Asia Pacific

New Zealand-based Contact Energy has reached a major commissioning milestone with its new Te Huka 3 geothermal power station as it has synchronised and provided power to the national grid for the first time.

At full capacity the power station will run at 51.4MW which equates to enough renewable energy to power the equivalent of 60,000 homes. During a three week testing period with Transpower, approximately 15MW will initially be fed into the grid before gradually increasing.

This period will be followed by formal generator compliance testing to Transpower’s system operator code requirements to confirm Te Huka 3 can provide electricity to the grid efficiently and safely.

Contact’s CEO Mike Fuge said “This marks a huge moment for the team at Te Huka 3, who have, for the past two years, worked tirelessly from the initial ground-breaking on site to building a fully operational renewable power station.

“[Te Huka 3] is a significant demonstration of our ability to invest, build and deliver world class assets for the benefit of all New Zealand.”

Once Transpower’s tests are completed, Contact will carry out further performance and reliability testing before the site is expected to become fully operational by the end of the year. One of the tests will include a 30-day reliability run to confirm that Te Huka 3 can run continuously and reliably at 51.4MW over a month-long period.

Fuge continued, “It is a really exciting time for geothermal energy. It has often been the unsung hero of power, but now it is really coming into its own as it plays a crucial role in New Zealand’s transition away from fossil fuels while helping to keep the lights on.”

PT Pertamina Power Indonesia (Pertamina NRE), PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk (PGE) and France-based clean hydrogen technology venture Genvia have signed a MoU to collaboratively develop green hydrogen production through the integration of advanced solid oxide electrolyser (SOEL) technology with geothermal heat resources.

The agreement includes the technical and economic study of the use of Genvia’s advanced high-temperature SOEL technology to reduce energy consumption in green hydrogen, and will be conducted at one of PGE’s geothermal sites.

The collaboration will leverage PGE’s geothermal expertise and Pertamina NRE’s broader clean energy portfolio, including renewables, green hydrogen, battery storage, electric vehicles and carbon businesses.

John Anis, CEO of Pertamina NRE, said, “We at Pertamina NRE are very enthusiastic about the collaboration with Genvia, which we believe will significantly accelerate the development of green hydrogen in Indonesia. This collaboration underlines our commitment to explore innovative solutions to achieve more cost-effective hydrogen production and maximise Indonesia’s green energy potential, such as geothermal.”

Florence Lambert, CEO of Genvia, commented, “Through our collaboration with Pertamina NRE and PGE, we see great potential in combining Genvia’s advanced technology with Indonesia’s abundant geothermal resources to drive a sustainable energy future. By exploring the potential of high-temperature SOEL technology, we aim to unlock new efficiencies in green hydrogen production.”

Baseload Power Taiwan has announced a partnership with Taiwan Power Company (Taipower), Taiwan Cogeneration Corporation (TCC), and other international partners to develop geothermal energy in the Tatun Mountain area of northern Taiwan.

The collaborative partnership will unlock the country’s largest geothermal energy reserve in order to rapidly advance geothermal development at scale. By harnessing this energy, it is believed that geothermal power will become a key pillar in Taiwan’s journey towards hitting its Net Zero goal by 2050.

On 1 October, 2024, Taipower held a signing ceremony for the ‘MOU for Cooperation – Geothermal Development at Tatun Mountain’ with joint signatures from Taipower Chairman Wen-sheng Tseng, TTC Chairman Shun-I Huang, Baseload Capital Chairman Magnus Brandberg, and representatives from GreenFire Energy and other international geothermal companies.

Magnus Brandberg, Co-Founder and Chairman of Baseload Capital, said, “As Taiwan’s first international geothermal developer, we are committed to delivering 24/7 clean energy and advancing the geothermal industry. By leveraging public-private collaboration, we aim to unlock Taiwan’s geothermal potential, contribute to its energy independence, and support the 2050 Net-Zero goal.”

Following the signing, a series of initiatives will take place including the analysis of existing geological data; geology, geochemistry and geophysics exploration; establishment of conceptual modules; determining drilling targets; and the execution of an exploration drilling programme.

Once the exploration phase is complete, assessments will begin for the potential of geothermal power plants and the possible implementation of Advanced Geothermal Systems.

Well-Safe Solutions, a global energy transition specialist, has appointed a new Country Manager for the Malaysian market in a bid to develop its Asia Pacific presence.

Adrin Shafil, who currents heads up the business in Kuala Lumpur, is the individual given this task and is seeking to leverage his operator, well management and drilling contractor experience in order to fulfil it.

“I’m really excited to be joining Well-Safe Solutions at this key moment in its global growth journey,” he remarked. “I’ve kept up to date with the company’s recent developments, with Well-Safe Solutions Pty continuing to grow at pace in Australia and throughout South-east Asia.

“I’m looking forward to bringing my well plug and abandonment and engineering experience to bear as we continue to service the well abandonment, personnel and project delivery requirements of clients throughout Malaysia, Australia and beyond.”

Shafil will report to Massimo Delia, General Manager – Asia-Pacific, who commented, “Adrin is an ideal fit for our current business, as well as our long-term aspirations to continue growth in the APAC region. His considerable engineering experience and client management skills will bring immediate benefit to our operations – not just in Malaysia, but throughout southeast Asia.”

Reservoir Link Energy Bhd. (RLEB), an energy related services provider, has announced that its subsidiary, Reservoir Link Sdn. Bhd. (RLSB), received a letter of award from Hibiscus Oil & Gas Malaysia Limited (HML) for the provision of well leak diagnostic and remedial services.

As per the three-year contract (which has an optional one-year extension), RLSB will supply competent personnel, all consumables, operate associated equipment to perform the sealant treatment activities and execute well integrity remediation activities related to pressure and time activated sealant services (independent equipment and without utilisation of slickline, e-line or coiled tubing unit). This will be for any of HML’s pressure and time activated sealant operations.

A focus on CCUS

This announcement was closely followed by an additional agreement confirmed by a 60% owned subsidiary of RLEB, Reservoir Link Solutions Sdn Bhd. (RLS).

This centred around a memorandum of understanding signed with Ad Terra Asia Sdn. Bhd. In order to mutually collaborate around specialised studies and work in relation to geological storage of carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) as well as subsurface, geology and geophysical studies in Malaysia.

Both parties have agreed to cooperate in relation to exploring potential business opportunities in the territory and to use reasonable efforts to explore and complete any contract mutually agreed upon. During the term of the MoU, the parties expressed a wise to explore the possibility of promoting, marketing, selling and distributing each other’s products and/or services within the territory for the duration of the agreement (expiring on 25 March 2025).

Thunder Cranes, a leading provider of portable, modular, offshore rental cranes with a lift capacity ranging from 2 to 0 tons, has published a case study outlining a successful decommissioning project it helped facilitate in the Gulf of Thailand.

The company was originally engaged by Chevron Thailand to assist in the removal of modules from the topside of a production platform located in the Gulf. This was scheduled prior to the removal of the entire well-head platform by a heavy barge crane. Removing the modules would sufficiently reduce the overall platform weight to within the capacity of the intended barge crane.

The objective of the client was a reverse-installation and backloading of various modules to supply vessel for disposal or recycling and the existing platform crane capacity and reach radius was not sufficient for the project.

Located on the top deck there were 14 large components weighing between 10 to 40 tons, as well as a number smaller components of various weights below 10 tons.

Thunder Cranes proposed the TC90 modular rental crane which has a maximum capacity of 50MT for offboard lifts and this was accepted as the best solution from the viewpoint of ensuring safe, static lifting. Cost and time savings were also to be expected.

Decommissioning challenges

According to Thunder Cranes, there were a number of unique challenges that had to be incorporated into the detailed planning of the decommissioning operation. This included the limited space on the platform for rigging up as well as no exposed beams on which the company could apply the TC90 clamping system. To meet this, welding with dog plates was required to tie down the modular crane and this was implemented safely and without issues. In addition, due to limited space on the platform deck, the supply vessel was on standby within reach of the platform crane, allowing the rig up and rig down of the TC90 crane on the fly.

Another hurdle was that some of the larger modules at the limit of the TC90 reach radius did not have verified weight information. As a result, a decision had to be made on whether to reposition the crane for those lifts or whether to disassemble and breakdown down those modules into smaller components. Upon further study it was concluded that the best way forward was to breakdown some of the modules. In addition, Thunder Cranes deployed its most experienced lifting superintendent on site to supervise the most critical lifts.

Planning for perfection

In order to ensure all the challenges were sufficiently dealt with and the company was able to carry out the project effectively, rigorous planning and assessments were undertaken and actioned. Thunder Cranes’ process for this starts with a thorough assessment of the client’s lifting requirements, platform drawings, general specifications, and project timelines. A site visit is then conducted to verify that an appropriate and practical solution can be proposed.

Its proposal and quotation come with a Site Visit Report to clearly communicate the proposed method with drawings and photos.

After the proposal is given the green light, Thunder Cranes begin the detailed planning stage where it collaborated with the client to customizs elements of the project in terms of materials, equipment, third party services, utilities, scaffolding, etc. Customisation can include any platform modifications if needed, or any re-positioning, or removal of elements from the main deck of the platform.

The company’s modular crane configuration is customised to meet specific needs with regards to the tied down method, boom reach radius, zone rating, or any other safety or environmental considerations.

The next step included engineering work pack submission to the client addressing the specific scope of work and lifting requirements, featuring detailed considerations from the site visit, with comprehensive rig up and lifting plans, customised layout and positioning drawings, as well as reaction force calculations needed to conduct a structural analysis.

Pre-mobilisation planning included risk assessment/hazard identification, and alignment sessions were conducted for offshore personnel to ensure safe and efficient operation of the modular cranes.

For other projects, dependent on location, the preparation and deployment of the modular cranes and auxiliary equipment might begin months ahead to ensure cranes are at the load out port and ready to be transported to the offshore site and assembled according to the pre-planned schedule and project configuration.

A timely outcome

According to Thunder Cranes, the project objectives were met successfully to the client’s satisfccation and within schedule. There were no incidents or hinderances recorded during the project which followed a timeline of:

• Load out from port and sailing to platform via supply boat.
• Platform crane lifts TC Modular Crane components to platform for rig up.
• Welding base beam and complete rig up of TC90.
• Inspection and load testing TC90.
• Commence lifting operations.
• Stop operation during heavy monsoon weather.
• Resume lifting operations.
• Rig down TC90 and demob.

By removing the production modules, the overall platform weight was reduced to be within the capacity of the heavy lift vessel which was able to remove the topside and structure in one lift. This marked another successful project carried out by Thunder Cranes.

China Petroleum Coporation of Taiwan (CNPC Taiwan) signed a MoU with Academia Sinica and National Central University for a partnership concerning geothermal research, exploration and development technology collaboration.

The MoU comes in response the Taiwanese Government’s energy and transformation policy as well as the desire to actively promote research and development of green energy and carbon reduction technologies across multiple industries.

In recent years, CNPC China has been searching for collaboration teams in order to cooperate with the national energy transformation policy. Academia Sinica is the country’s highest academic research institution, housing the Institute of Geosciences which masters advanced geological, geochemical and geophysical related survey data and analysis technologies. Central University has the School of Geosciences and the Carbon Sequestration and Geothermal Research Center.

The collaborative aim is to promote geothermal research and exploration technology within Taiwan in a bid to be net-zero by 2050.  

Ahead of the D&A APAC 2024 Conference, set to open its doors in Kuala Lumpur from 12-13 November, Offshore Network has released its Asia Pacific Decommissioning and Abandonment Outlook which reviews the region’s current liabilities and the key players who are undertaking the oncoming decommissioning storm.  

The countdown is on for Southeast Asia to stay ahead of what promises to be a prosperous decommissioning market in the decades to come. As many of the region’s upstream assets wave goodbye to their productive years, D&A liabilities continue to tally up meaning the once-distant thought of decommissioning is now firmly at the forefront.

According to Petronas’ Activity Outlook 2021-2023, within Malaysia there are more 3,000 wells in which 45% are idle, with over 500 scheduled to be permanently plugged by 2030. Wood Mackenzie has previously reported that Southeast Asia’s offshore assets, amounting of 2,600 platforms and a staggering 35,000 wells, will eventually need to undergo decommissioning services.

Due to the sheer scope of D&A work in the years ahead, emphasise is being placed on the growing need for knowledge sharing and collaboration throughout the region. With collaboration comes the implementation of innovative technology and more opportunities to reap prosperous results akin to those seen in the North Sea and Gulf of Mexico.

Click here to download the full D&A APAC 2024 report.