WEG’s W22XB high efficiency motors are providing an explosion-protected solution for Russian oil company, Rosneft, in the harshness of the Arctic Circle.
Designed for long term operation at temperatures down to -60°C, the W22XB motors are driving crude oil pumps in the giant Vankor Oil Field situated in the Siberian region of Krasnoyarsk.
Vankor is one of Rosneft’s most important projects and is also one of the largest industrial projects in Russia. The field is important for the development of Russia’s oil and gas industry, and for the Russian economy at large. This is evidenced by Rosneft’s investment of $2.7bn in the field in 2012 – a 3.8% increase over 2011. There are plans to produce 18 million tonnes of oil this year, 20% more than in 2011. In 2013, the company plans to bring the field to its design capacity of 25.3 million tonnes, by which time there will be a total of 425 wells on the Vankor site.
Oil extracted from the Vankor field is expected to be transported along the 4,700km ESPO (Eastern Siberia Pacific Ocean) oil pipeline, when it is completed in 2014. The oil exported via the pipeline is destined for the Asian Pacific markets of Japan, China and Korea.
The contract for the flame-proof motors, including seven units of the high efficiency W22XB range, was awarded to WEG Electric CIS through its partner EnergoFront. The motors are frame size 450kH, rated 500kW, 10,000V, and Ex d IIB T4 classified area certified, according to Russian (GOST-R) and international standards. They are designed for an ambient temperature operation range of -60ºC to 40ºC.
The W22XB motors will be driving crude oil pumps manufactured by JSC Nasosenergomash Sumy (HMS Group Subsidiary), which is the largest oil pump supplier in the region. ATEX/IEC Ex certified, the W22XB motors are designed to cope with the rigours of aggressive and explosive oil and gas atmospheres, while delivering Premium Efficiency, minimised noise and vibration, and low operating temperature for increased reliability and safety. As a result, the complete range – LV and HV up to 2,000kW – delivers reduced energy costs and fast payback especially in constant duty applications.
