Saipem Looks Into Nuclear Tech for Emissions-Free Oil and Gas Ops
September 9, 2024
Saipem and newcleo have signed a collaboration agreement to identify solutions for the offshore application of newcleo’s technology to produce nuclear energy, which could provide zero-emission electricity for oil and gas installations.
The objective of the agreement signed by the companeis is to study the application of newcleo’s Small Modular Lead-cooled Fast Reactor (SM-LFR) technology to provide zero-emission electricity and process heat to oil and gas offshore installations, thereby improving their sustainability performance.
The agreement also allows for the possibility of extending the use of newcleo’s technology to produce zero-emission electricity through floating nuclear units, connected to the electricity grid on land or to other users.
The collaboration between the two companies involves the creation of a feasibility analysis on the possible development of prototypes of newcleo’s SM-LFR technology for offshore applications.
newcleo’s solution employs one of the most promising technologies in the field of small nuclear fission reactors, leveraging passive security systems (i.e. exploiting natural forces or phenomena without requiring active mechanisms), unique in the marine environment, enabling much greater efficiency in the use of extracted uranium compared to other types of conventional fission reactors.
This is thanks to the reuse of spent nuclear fuel used by other reactors, in line with the principles of the circular economy.
Saipem’s interest in nuclear energy is part of its technological development program, dedicated to energy transition, with the aim of helping to achieve Net Zero objectives by 2050.
In this light, Saipem intends to evaluate, the potential application of the new generation of compact reactors (Small Modular Reactors – SMR) for offshore plants, to generate power and heat with very low climate-changing emissions, equal to those of renewable energies, and therefore with a high sustainability profile.
“The production of zero-emission energy through floating offshore plants equipped with new generation compact reactors could represent a new frontier in the energy transition. With this collaboration agreement, we leverage Saipem's distinct skills in the offshore sector as well as our ability to bring innovation to the world of energy infrastructure, to explore new solutions that can accelerate the path towards decarbonization,” said Alessandro Puliti, CEO of Saipem.
“Our next generation reactor technology will not only reduce the environmental impact of offshore oil and gas operations improving energy efficiency and promoting long-term sustainability, but also design offshore power plants that can provide decarbonized electricity onshore, anywhere in the world.
“This is the first agreement between two European companies for the offshore application of our sustainable nuclear technology and we are honored to work with such a recognized partner. We believe that this synergy can revolutionize the industry, contributing in a concrete and meaningful way to the decarbonization of the sector and to the global energy transition,” added Stefano Buono, CEO of newcleo.
