LARGE electrical drives — setting trends for oil & gas applications

Global trends will change the world of energy generation and energy consumption, which will create challenges and new requirements in the oil & gas business. These changes will in particular be in the way that oil or gas is processed and transported from the source to the end user. Electric drives for compressors and pumps will feature prominently in this change. The innovation required is to make these drive systems more economical, more flexible in their use, and to improve reliability while seeking peak efficiency and maintenance-free operation. The performance of high efficiency electric drives permitting control of speed and torque together with potential for integrated and intelligent concepts will be a major player to further mature the industry. The paper discusses todaypsilas major technical limits for optimized processes, drive solutions used in the oil & gas industry, and identify which innovations in the processes for oil & gas production and transportation will be required in the future to further increase productivity. It highlights the major goals for the development of future drive system applications. Two examples of the new innovative products already developed from this strategic process will be illustrated.