Thermodynamic Performance Indicators for Offshore Oil and Gas Processing: Application to Four North Sea Facilities

Well-defined performance indicators can motivate optimal operation of offshore oil and gas platforms. We evaluate several thermodynamic performance indicators presented in the literature according to three criteria: Thermodynamic performance indicators should evaluate the use of technically achievable potential, they should evaluate the use of theoretical potential, and they should evaluate the total use of energy resources. The performance indicators are tested on four North Sea facilities, and the results are discussed. We recommend the use of a set of indicators for a thorough evaluation of oil and gas platforms—the best-available-technology efficiency on an exergy basis, a task exergy efficiency, and the specific exergy destruction.