Noble steps up its offshore drilling decarbonization game

Creating an energy transition ecosystem that supports the global sustainability agenda presents a significant challenge for players in the offshore oil and gas industry. However, some have already made strides in tackling decarbonization by utilizing emerging solutions to curb the emissions footprint from offshore operations. Noble Corporation is one of the offshore drilling players that have taken such steps. The rig owner has embarked on the fleetwide rollout of a digital emission-monitoring solution, which has now been fitted on 29 rigs.

While involvement from all corners of industry, policy, and society is required to scale up the pace and the success of the decarbonization endeavor in a bid to shape up a low-carbon and green energy future, milestones like the one Noble Corporation has tucked under its belt thanks to the deployment of the Energy Efficiency Insights (EEI) system are seen as a step in the right direction. The offshore drilling player has enriched all 29 active rigs with this solution.

While explaining that this move marks “a significant advancement” in real-time emissions monitoring for the offshore drilling industry, the company highlights that this tool empowers its crew to monitor and “proactively reduce energy consumption,” thereby minimizing the carbon footprint of Noble’s drilling operations.

”The critical data related to the rig’s daily fuel consumption allows the crew to track and analyze patterns in fuel usage, thereby identifying opportunities to optimize efficiency. The system goes beyond fuel consumption figures by also calculating daily emissions in terms of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), enabling a holistic approach to environmental impact assessment,” outlined Noble.

On a mission to slash CO2 emissions from offshore drilling operations, the rig owner joined hands with Aker BP to commission a series of new energy efficiency upgrades for the Noble Integrator and Noble Invincible rigs. These upgrades are expected to cut down emissions from rig operations offshore Norway by more than 3,700 tons of CO2 equivalents per year, as part of Noble’s 360-degree decarbonization model.

According to the company, the new installations, which are anticipated to be completed in 3Q 2024, will entail upgrades to engine ventilation, onboard lighting systems, as well as an engine heat recovery system. While discussing one of the pillars of Noble’s sustainability framework, the firm’s Frederic Jacquemin, Director of Marketing and Contracts for Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East, recently pointed out how decarbonization could generate competitive advantages and enhance customer relationships.

Noble is also laying the groundwork to enhance sustainability in Guyana’s offshore oilfields through new energy efficiency upgrades on drillships, which will be made to the Noble Bob Douglas, Noble Don Taylor, Noble Sam Croft, and Noble Tom Madden rigs.

“CO2 emissions will be slashed by over 5,700 tons/year for each rig, amounting to a 12% reduction. This initiative includes advanced technologies like high-efficiency ventilation and smart start systems and is part of Noble’s broader decarbonization strategy,” elaborated the rig owner.