Saft Uptimax batteries backup critical systems at major CNOOC oil and gas projects in China

Saft’s new generation Uptimax maintenance-free design is optimized for stationary power backup applications in the oil and gas industries.
Major Uptimax installations in China include the Enping 24-2, Kenli 10-1,Jinzhou 25-1 and Huangyan offshore oil fields and the Shenzhen LNG project.

Zhuhai, December 10, 2014

Saft, the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of high-tech industrial batteries, has delivered several large battery systems containing thousands of its new generation Uptimax cells to CNOOC (China National Offshore Oil Corporation), China’s largest producer of offshore crude oil and gas, to power UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) installations that support critical control and safety systems at projects across China.

Several major CNOOC projects now rely on Saft Uptimax batteries, including the Enping 24-2, Kenli 10-1, Jinzhou 25-1, Huangyan offshore oil fields, and the Shenzhen LNG (Liquid Natural Gas) project. The unique maintenance-free design of the Uptimax, combined with its 20-years’ significantly reduce maintenance workloads in the demanding offshore platform environment. This factor is highly appreciated by CNOOC corporation customers, including its oil development subsidiaries constructing offshore projects in China Bohai Bay, Western South China Sea, Eastern South China Sea and East China Sea and also the CNOOC research institute located in Beijing.

The Enping 24-2 oil field is located in the Pearl River Mouth basin of the South China Sea with average water depths of 86 m to 96 m. The main production facilities include one drilling and production platform, one FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading) vessel and 17 producing wells. Currently there are two wells producing 8,000 boe/d (barrels of oil equivalent per day), and the project is expected to reach its peak production of 40,000 boe/d in 2017.

Saft has also supplied Uptimax battery systems for the platforms – Kenli 9-1 and Jinzhou 25-1 in Bo Sea, and the Huangyan oil field in the East China East. These offshore projects are contributing to meeting China’s fast growing demand for oil and gas natural resources.

The Shenzhen LNG project in Guandong Province is for the construction of a receiving terminal, scheduled for completion in 2015, with a handling capacity of 4 MMTPA (million metric tonne per annum). The terminal comprises four 16 x 104 cubic metres full containment LNG storage tanks and associated facilities, one jetty berth that accommodates LNG carriers in the size range of 80,000 to 266,000 cubic metres and the seawater intake and outfall structure. After commissioning, the natural gas will be distributed to downstream gas users including urban residents, power plants and refining plants. The Shenzhen project is the first LNG project in China to use Saft nickel-based batteries and it provides a useful model for similar future projects.

For these projects, Saft has supplied battery systems ranging in capacity from 125 Ah to 885 Ah that enable the UPS to ensure up to 30 minutes of power autonomy if the main supply is interrupted.

“These latest projects for CNOOC confirm Saft’s growing presence in China’s domestic oil and gas market,” says Xavier Delacroix, General Manager of Saft’s IBG Division. “The key to this success is the outstanding performance and reliability demonstrated by Saft’s market-leading stationary battery products such as the Uptimax.”

Uptimax ensures maintenance-free operation

Since Saft launched the Uptimax range of nickel-based pocket-plate batteries in 2008 they have established an outstanding reputation for delivering reliability, long life and optimized TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) in stationary power applications - such as UPS, emergency and security systems and process control - in the oil and gas, utility and electricity industries, even when operating at ambient temperatures of + 40°C or more. The latest upgrade to a new generation high-technology design has now taken Uptimax to the next level, making it maintenance free, under recommended operating conditions, in terms of topping up with water. There is now no requirement to add any water to Uptimax throughout its long service life.

About Saft

Saft (Euronext: Saft) is a world leading designer and manufacturer of advanced technology batteries for industry. The Group is the world’s leading manufacturer of nickel batteries and primary lithium batteries for the industrial infrastructure and processes, transportation, civil and military electronics’ markets. Saft is the world leader in space and defence batteries with its Li-ion technologies which are also deployed in the energy storage, transportation and telecommunication network markets. More than 3,800 employees in 18 countries, 14 manufacturing sites and an extensive sales network all contribute to accelerating the Group’s growth for the future.

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