Santos Powers Remote Oil Wells with 100% Renewable Energy

In partnership with CD Power, Santos achieved a major milestone in clean energy transition by converting remote oil well operations to run entirely on solar and battery power. The project demonstrates how renewable microgrids can provide reliable, continuous energy in some of Australia’s harshest environments.

Challenges

1. Reliable Renewable Power in Remote Locations

Remote crude oil beam pumps require continuous power, historically supplied by diesel generators. High fuel and maintenance costs, along with carbon emissions, made the system unsustainable.

2. Underutilised Excess Energy

Solar and battery systems often generate surplus energy that wasn’t being effectively captured or reused.

3. High Capital Costs for 24/7 Renewable Operation

The upfront cost of solar and battery infrastructure, especially for continuous-use applications, remains a challenge.

Solutions

• Utility-Grade Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
• CD Power deployed a 132 kW RAPS featuring 36 kW solar PV, 48 kVA inverter, and micro-grid controller.
• Delivered 100% renewable energy to the Biala-12 oil well in the Cooper Basin.
  EPC strategy delivered in collaboration with Kaefer and AGL, converting 56 remote oil wells.
• Smart Use of Excess Energy
• The system reuses surplus energy for charging batteries, powering site communications, maintaining battery temperature, and providing general power.
• Modular design ensures common components, scalability, and simplified training and logistics.
• Scalable, Cost-Efficient Design
• Increased modularisation allows for portable deployment and access to flexible financing (leases, PPAs).
• Multi-use systems help offset high capital costs while proving reliable in remote, demanding conditions.

Key Features

• System Type: Remote Area Power System (RAPS)
• Capacity: 132 kW
• Components: 36 kW PV, 48 kVA inverter, micro-grid controller
• Functionality: Continuous renewable power, real-time monitoring, excess energy reuse
• Performance: Delivering high-availability power since commissioning in October 2018

Benefits at a Glance

• Carbon Emission Reduction: Eliminated wellhead emissions and diesel use, significantly lowering Santos’ carbon footprint.
• Cost Savings: Reduced operational costs by eliminating fuel transport, generator servicing, and frequent site visits.
• Increased Efficiency: Delivered stable, reliable energy supply, reducing downtime and increasing operational uptime.
• Innovation & Scalability: Modular system design allows rapid deployment and broader application across other remote industries.