Enhancing transient stability in offshore oilfield power systems utilizing ETAP

Abstract

Abstract: The increasing interconnection of offshore oil and gas platforms via submarine cables has heightened the need for enhanced power system stability. Transient stability is critical in these networks, as disturbances from operational faults or equipment failures may cause oscillations or system collapse. This study investigates the transient stability of a representative offshore oilfield power network using the Electrical Transient Analyzer Program (ETAP). Two critical fault scenarios are examined: generator disconnection and a three-phase submarine cable short circuit. Simulation results reveal that reducing the system load by 6 MW within 0.15 s after a generator cut-off, and by 5.3 MW following a submarine cable fault, effectively restores power angle, voltage, and frequency stability. These findings provide practical guidelines for energy management strategies to enhance resilience and ensure uninterrupted power supply in offshore environments.