Why is the new Johan Sverdrup field so important?
It’s important that the oil that is produced, is produced as cleanly as possible. Geologist Thea Broch (30) explains.
Johan Sverdrup is on stream. That’s good news for our investors, for Norway—and for emissions.
Our record-breaking Johan Sverdrup field came on stream in October and is already producing 350,000 barrels per day. Now we’re creating value for our shareholders, benefitting Norwegians and reducing emissions. See the full story below.
It’s Norway’s third largest oil field—ever. But what about the climate?
The Johan Sverdrup field is a technological triumph and a milestone for the Norwegian oil industry, supplying the world with energy, and creating value for society. Already producing at 350,000 barrels per day, it is expected to increase production to 440,000 barrels per day in Phase 1. What’s more, Johan Sverdrup is producing at unprecented low cost and high quality.
However, some people are saying we should stop producing oil altogether, for the sake of the climate. But we believe Johan Sverdrup is a prime example of exactly why we shouldn’t do that. Find out more below.
0
Daily production in Phase 2, after 2022
0
up to 30% of total oil production from the Norwegian Continental Shelf at plateau
0
Emissions compared to a standard development employing gas turbines
It’s 2019 and climate strikes are taking place the world over.
So why are we so proud of our new oil field?
Photo: Ole Jørgen Bratland / Equinor
Less than 4%
Emissions per barrel produced, compared with world average
18 kg CO2
World average emissions per barrel produced
0,67 kg CO2
Emissions per barrel produced at Johan Sverdrup
Less than 4 %.
That’s how little CO2 the Johan Sverdrup field emits compared with the world average for oil production. Thanks to largely hydroelectric power from shore, we will avoid emissions of more than 620.000 tonnes of CO2 every single year.
On average, around the world, there are 18 kg of CO2 emissions for every barrel of oil produced. On the Norwegian continental shelf, the average is much lower, but still around 9 kg. At the Johan Sverdrup field, emissions will be a record low of 0.67 kg — or 4 % of the world average — per barrel produced.
World energy demand continues to rise, and we will still have a significant need for oil and gas in the foreseeable future. But not all barrels are created equal — and it’s important that the oil which is produced, is produced as cleanly as possible. That’s why Johan Sverdrup is a prime example of how technological innovation can provide solutions, and why Norwegian oil and gas are important in a climate perspective.
Johan Sverdrup is now supplying countless countries with energy and raw materials. And benefitting society economically.
The world must fulfil the Paris Agreement — but we still need oil, to fill the gap left by rising energy demand and declining production. The Johan Sverdrup field will supply millions of people with the energy they need to live their lives, and in its estimated 50 year lifespan it will also generate significant financial income for Norway, thanks to the 78% marginal tax rate on the Norwegian oil industry.
1430
billion NOK
Total income in the field’s lifetime, depending on oil price
900
billion NOK
Income to the Norwegian state
~10
million NOK
Profit per hour, depending on oil price
Oil has widespread uses, not just as a fuel — but also for medicines, plastics, textiles, technological products, as well as in the iron, steel and cement industries.
The oil and gas industry creates positive economic ripple effects, not only for the many tens of thousands of people directly employed by the oil industry, but for all Norwegians, in the form of significant tax revenues for the state.
With the help of technology developed over five decades on the Norwegian continental shelf, Johan Sverdrup will have low emissions to sea and air and a high recovery rate. Furthermore, we’re aiming for a high recovery rate of more than 70 percent, meaning that we can contribute to securing growth, jobs and industrial development for decades to come.
Johan Sverdrup creates economic ripple effects in Norway:
~150,000
person-years
in the development phase
70%
of contracts
to Norwegian suppliers
~3400
person-years
in the operational phase
The development and operation of Johan Sverdrup will provide revenue and employment to new generations of Norwegians for five decades to come.
But we’re not doing the job alone. We have a whole industry with us; our partners and suppliers’ experience, and the authorities’ ambitions for the Norwegian Continental Shelf — enabling us to create positive ripple effects for the entire country.
The Johan Sverdrup development can generate more than 150,000 person-years of employment during the construction phase of 2015—2025. In the first phase of the development, 70% of the contracts were awarded to suppliers in Norway. And in the operational phase, Johan Sverdrup may contribute to employment of more than 3,400 people each year—as well as generating income for the Norwegian state exceeding NOK 900 billion over the lifetime of the field.
Johan Sverdrup: a pioneer in digitalisation
The Johan Sverdrup field is also a pioneer in the use of technology and digitalisation. Equinor operates a "digital twin" of the field, which enables us to have an continuous overview of what is happening on Johan Sverdrup, helping to increase safety, maximise returns and reduce emissions.
By leveraging large quantities of data, application developers can increase efficiency and reduce downtime, enabling our employees to do their jobs more safely and sustainably.
Find out more about digitalisation in Equinor in the stories below.
Johan Sverdrup news archive
To see all Johan Sverdrup-related news stories, click "More" below.
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October 21, 2019First oil from Johan Sverdrup to Mongstad
Oil from the giant Johan Sverdrup field in the North Sea has arrived at the Mongstad plant north of Bergen. The event is celebrated at the plant today.
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October 5, 2019Johan Sverdrup, the North Sea giant, is on stream
On 5 October Equinor and the Johan Sverdrup partnership consisting of Lundin Norway, Petoro, Aker BP and Total, started production from the giant field in the North Sea.
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September 5, 2019Accelerating start-up schedule for Johan Sverdrup
Equinor and its partners are preparing for production start from the world class Johan Sverdrup field already in October this year, one month ahead of schedule.