Reduced CO2 emissions from the supply chain by 600,000 tonnes

January 18, 2019 07:37 CET
The Rem Eir vessel
Equinor has 13 supply vessels in its contract portfolio that are ready for shore power supply, including Rem Eir from Remøy Shipping, whose contract with Equinor was recently extended by three years. (Photo: Vidar Hardeland / Equinor ASA)

Since 2011, Equinor has reduced CO2 emissions from its logistical operations for the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) by 600,000 tonnes. The company’s ambition is to halve emissions in the NCS supply chain by 2030.

On Friday 18 January, NorSea will open a shore-to-ship power supply station at the Dusavik supply base by Stavanger. This base is the latest in a row of supply bases where vessels on Equinor contract are offered shore power while at berth and charging of their onboard batteries.

Team players
Shore-to-ship power supply is one of several measures to reduce emissions in logistics. Thirteen supply vessels on long-term contracts with Equinor have installed shore power systems on board, and a further five vessels in the contract portfolio will be prepared for shore power supply during 2019.

“We need broad cooperation if we are to reduce emissions from our supply chain. Equinor plays a key role in this effort, as we have many suppliers who must be team players if we are to cut emissions. We influence operations by our management of day-to-day activities, commercially by rewarding low emissions in contracts and strategically by supporting a business that utilizes vessels, vehicles and helicopters in a proper way,” says Philippe F. Mathieu, head of Equinor’s joint operations support cluster.

Cut emissions
Since 2011, Equinor has cut emissions from its logistical operations by a total of 600,000 tonnes of CO2, corresponding to annual emissions from all cars in Oslo. This includes helicopters and vessels used for supply, emergency response, rig moves and storage.

Total emissions have been reduced by 37%, while emissions adjusted for reduced activity have been reduced by 26%.

Equinor has an ambition of stepping up its emission reduction in the NCS supply chain from 26% to 50% by 2030, based on 2011 level.

Want more vessels on shore power
An increasing number of shipowners with supply vessels in the Equinor portfolio are prepared for hybrid battery operation and shore power supply.

A central financial contributor for shipowners aiming to adapt their vessels to hybrid battery operation and shore power supply, the NOX fund gives financial support based on how much the systems are being used up to a ceiling.

“We have an ambition of moving all vessels on long-term contract with us to shore power, because we have seen that it is an efficient tool for reducing emissions. We note that shipowners, crews, base companies and authorities are strongly committed and willing to prepare for operation and infrastructure that will help reduce emissions,” says Mathieu.

More bases offering shore-to-ship power supply
In addition to Dusavik, shore-to-ship power supply stations have been installed at the supply bases at Mongstad in Hordaland, Florø in Sogn og Fjordane, Kristiansund in Møre og Romsdal and Hammerfest in Finnmark during the past year.

The Norsea Group and its subsidiaries have been active in developing four of the bases used by Equinor for its supply activities. Financial support by Enova has made the investments possible.

Below is a list of all vessels on Equinor contract that have installed a system for shore power per January 2019.

Vessels Companies

Ocean Star

Atlantic Offshore

Far Sun

Solstad Offshore

Ocean Art 

Atlantic Offshore

Havila Charisma

Havila Shipping

Havila Foresight 

Havila Shipping

Juanita

Ugland Offshore

Far Searcher

Solstad Offshore

Skandi Flora

DOF

Skandi Mongstad 

DOF

Sjoborg

Skansi Offshore

Rem Eir (LNG)

Remøy Shipping

Troms Arcturus

Troms Offshore

Viking Energy (LNG)

Eidesvik Offshore

 
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Many types of measures

In 2011, emissions from vessels and helicopters totalled 465,000 tonnes, while 2018 emissions were 292,000 tonnes.

A wide variety of measures are needed to reduce emissions from Equinor’s logistical operations.

  • Planning efficient sailing routes and utilizing vessels and helicopters properly.
  • Fuel consumption is one of the evaluation criteria in awarding new vessel contracts.
  • Equinor has introduced requirements in its long-term contracts stating that supply vessels must have hybrid battery operation and be prepared for shore power. 
  • Incentives in the vessel contracts to reduce fuel consumption: The shipowners are paid if their emissions are lower than agreed, and they must pay extra if their emissions are higher than agreed.

Facts

  • While Equinor’s petroleum activity is part of the quota sector and covered by the EU’s quota market, the supply of material and personnel to the NCS belongs to the non-quota transport sector.
  • If Norway is to meet its climate commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030, major cuts must also be made in the non-quota sector.
  • In the logistics business the transport companies report their emissions themselves to the authorities, but Equinor plays a key role in preparing for lower emissions from its suppliers.