Wintershall Dea hires hybrid platform supplier duo from Solstad

German oil and gas company Wintershall Dea has hired two platform supply vessels from Norwegian vessel owner Solstad Offshore.

Wintershall Dea said on Monday that it had hired the Normand Naley and Normand Falnes platform suppliers for work offshore Norway.

The two vessels are hired for a period of two years with options for the lease to last up to five years. The Naley and Falnes will be equipped with Kongsberg batteries, which are expected to reduce emissions by around 12 percent per year.

The two vessels will use hybrid power to save around 600 cbm of fuel per year. Over half a decade, reductions in CO2 are estimated at more than 10,000 tonnes.

It is worth noting that Wintershall Dea used a similar solution for the West Mira rig, which is contracted to drill at least nine wells for the company in the next 24 months.

The Normand Naley and Normand Falnes will support the West Mira in drilling the Bergknapp prospect, infill wells on the Maria and Vega fields, and development wells on Nova.

Arve Børseth Bjørnsen, Wintershall Dea marine lead, said: “Installing hybrid batteries on these two vessels is about carrying out our work in the most environmentally friendly way possible. We are committed to pursuing energy management throughout all our operations, and we have procured the best in class solution to help meet our obligations.”

The installation of the two batteries will cost in the region of NOK 40 million ($4.45 million). The NOx Fund, which awards grants for schemes that reduce emissions, will contribute to the cost.

Part of Wintershall Dea’s investment will be offset by savings in fuel. The hybrid solution is also likely to incur less maintenance cost for the vessel owners.