Ocyan hires DNV to convert diesel drilling rigs

Ocyan, the Brazilian offshore drilling company, has engaged DNV as an independent third party in the qualification process of a system injecting hydrogen as an additive in the internal combustion engines of drilling rigs, in order to reduce diesel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from drilling.

DNV’s technology qualification process will ensure that the technology achieves the expected degree of maturity, following provisions in DNV-RP-A203 – which provides the industry with a systematic approach to technology qualification, ensuring that new technologies function reliably within specified limits, DNV said.

DNV’s approach involves three fully integrated fronts: the technology’s qualification process (demonstrating the performance and reliability of the system), the assessment of operational risks (with focus on the safety of the new system and of the drilling rig), and the assessment of Class requirements (evaluating the requirements of the Classification Society for the issuance of an “Approval in Principle” for the system).

Ocyan is working with a technology partner, LZ Energia, who develops technological solutions to reduce its customers’ operations’ fuel consumption and air pollution. The project is supported by Shell Brasil, through the RD&I investment clause of the National Petroleum Agency (ANP).

DNV’s Energy Transition Outlook 2022 says that fossil fuels currently provide more than 80% of the world’s energy, but that the number will drop to below 50% by 2050. Therefore, DNV says, it is crucial that decarbonization initiatives like this are systematically piloted and scaled to support curbing emissions from the oil and gas industry.