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TotalEnergies is one of the largest offshore oil and gas operators on the UK continental shelf (UKCS).  As part of our commitment to support the growth of cleaner energy production and to meet the UK’s net-zero targets, we are proposing to demonstrate the possibility of powering existing oil and gas assets via the installation of a floating wind turbine. 

About the project 

TotalEnergies E&P North Sea UK Limited is proposing the construction and deployment of a Floating Offshore Wind Turbine (FOWT) at our existing Culzean platform in the Central North Sea, around 222km east of Aberdeen. The project aims to demonstrate the possibility of powering one of our oil and gas assets with renewable electricity, as well as how we’re decarbonising our operations. 

The pilot project has two main objectives: 

  • Qualify a new concept of semi-submersible floater to support the wind turbine; and 
  • Perform a hybrid power test on an oil and gas facility

A single floating wind turbine will be built in a single phase and will supply renewable wind power to the Culzean platform. 

The project will comprise one floating wind turbine with a capacity of 3 MW, a test floater and mooring system technologies for offshore floating wind. It is proposed that the floating turbine will be linked via a 2 km export cable. There will be no cable links to shore. 

Application process

TotalEnergies was successful in its application for the project through the INTOG Leasing Round (Area E-a) and has since secured an Exclusivity Agreement with Crown Estate Scotland. TotalEnergies will look to enter into the Option Agreement and Lease as soon as practical. 

We have now submitted our application for a Marine Licence under Section 65 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. The Marine Licence is accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). 

This application can be viewed in full via the Marine Directorate.

A PDF version containing full details of the Public Notices submitted to the Press & Journal, Fishing News and Edinburgh Gazette can be found here. 

Enhancing research and development

In parallel, the project will utilise the pilot to enhance the Company’s Research & Development programme by:

  • Firstly, deploying our deep expertise in offshore construction, installation, operations and maintenance to the offshore wind sector
  • Secondly, qualifying new equipment and performing data assessments to support methodologies and processes to be used on larger offshore wind farms

For example, the Culzean pilot scientific programme will comprise:

  • Estimating the biodiversity footprint of platforms and its consequences for local ecosystems through the use of autonomous DNA laboratories (2G and 3G), wide-band echo sounder, optical water quality sensors
  • Wake effects using LiDAR and associated Metocean sensors to validate wind turbine performance and calibrate simulation tools
  • Wind Turbine structure, thanks to special sensors fixed directly along the blades, to better understand the resistance of the wind turbine in a moving environment
  • Floater technology and qualification, with feedback on manufacturing and assembly processes
  • Application of anti-fouling paint to study the impact of different coatings on the overall floatability, and
  • Offshore technician transfer feasibility on board the FOWT according to weather and sea state conditions correlated by real-time measurements

 

Key project components 

The Culzean floating wind pilot will consist of the following key components:

  • A single wind turbine
  • A floater to support the wind turbine
  • A single export cable from the turbine to the Culzean platform, and
  • Mooring and anchoring systems to connect the floating substructure to the seabed

 

 

Anticipated project timeline (subject to Board approval)

Project timeline. In 2022, submitted a leasing application under the INTOG Leasing Round. Aerial bird survey commenced. In 2023, seabed survey completed. INTOG Lease awarded. Scoping report submitted in April 2023. CES awarded exclusivity agreement. MD-LOT scoping opinion received July 2023. In 2024, submit Environmental Impact Assessment and marine licence. In 2025, offshore construction commences. First power.

 

Scoping

Scoping is a key phase of the EIA process, providing an opportunity for TotalEnergies as the developer to identify those potentially significant environmental effects that should be considered for further assessment in the EIA Report.

As part of the EIA process an offshore scoping report was submitted to Marine Directorate for their opinion in April 2023. 

The scoping report presents the full details of the nature and purpose of the project and its possible effects on the environment and is available on the Marine Directorate website via the link below.

TotalEnergies Culzean Floating Wind Pilot Project EIA Scoping Report

Surveys

We undertook a number of surveys to help understand any potential impacts the project may have and how best to mitigate against them.  

The surveys included: 

  • Offshore survey of the seabed habitat
  • Aerial bird surveys
  • Shipping activity 

The data collected was used to inform the environmental impact assessment for topics including ornithology, marine mammals and seabed habitats. 

Project Location 

Get in touch

If you would like to contact us about the project, please email: [email protected]