Equinor brings critical 3D printed part to offshore location with a drone

First established in 1972, Equinor has been pushing the boundaries of technology to solve challenges in the oil & gas industry. Today, the company aims to be the world’s most carbon-efficient oil and gas producer, as well as driving innovation in offshore wind and renewables. In recent years, the company has been interested in using drones and 3D printing to boost production efficiency and lower CO2 emissions from Norwegian oil and gas. In fact, even more recently, Equinor successfully flew a drone to bring a 3D printed spare part from the Mongstad base (Norway) to the Troll A platform (Norway’s largest gas producer) in the North Sea.

Why put in place such a system to bring a 3D printed part to another location? Arne Sigve Nylund, Executive Vice President for Development and Production Norway, explains: “Equinor aims to lead the way in utilizing new technology on the Norwegian continental shelf. Development is rapid, and we see a huge potential within drone technology that could transform the way we operate, both under and above the sea surface.” Drones can be used as efficient transportation systems to bring necessary parts on-site, introducing more flexibility in traditional supply chains, but also reducing CO2 emissions.

Photo: Ole Jørgen Bratland / Equinor ASA

For example, Equinor explains that the flight spanning around 80 kilometers to the Troll field took about an hour, at an altitude of approximately 5,000 feet. Even though the flight was just a test, it was conducted under normal conditions. The 3D printed part transported was a diesel nozzle holder, a critical component in the lifeboats on Troll A. Given that the part is no longer manufactured and difficult to obtain, additive manufacturing technologies allowed to re-model it, and using an advanced metal process, a replica was produced in a sturdy industrial alloy (Inconel 718). After all, one of the key benefits of 3D printing technologies, which has been demonstrated time and time again, is their ability to manufacture completely unique pieces at a competitive price (no need to invest in a mold) and under strict time constraints.