
Echo — Equinor’s digital twin
Digital tools like Echo, HoloLens and Omnia cloud are transforming the way we work and taking platform construction into the digital age.
Our Johan Sverdrup field came on stream in October 2019, and has already produced oil worth more than NOK 50 billion. At the same time, the introduction of innovative digital solutions is helping us to maintain high safety standards and significantly boosting income. Scroll down to find out more.
Process operator Helene Stølsmark Vihovde using the Digital Field Worker app.
Latest: Digital technologies boosted earnings by over two billion NOK in the first year at Johan Sverdrup.
Photo and film: Arne Reidar Mortensen, Equinor
Meet Maximilian Georg Schuberth. He has a background from geophysics and signal processing, but now he's working on maximising production from Johan Sverdrup using some of the most advanced technology in Equinor: self-operating wells. These wells optimise production, reduce the energy needed to lift hydrocarbons to the surface, and increase safety. Max likens them to self-driving cars due to their sensor systems, high-performance computer processing and machine learning algorithms. Hear Max explain the technology in the video.
Our Johan Sverdrup field is a pioneer in the use of new digital technologies that help us increase safety, reduce costs, maximise returns and reduce emissions.
For example, there's Echo, our "digital twin" that lets workers explore every detail of the platforms in virtual reality using Microsoft 3D Hololens technology. Then there's our Digital Field Worker app that lets offshore workers activate work permits, check equipment, and read system manuals all without going back to their desks. And a host of other exciting solutions that increase efficiency and reduce downtime, enabling our employees to do their jobs more safely and sustainably. Welcome to the digital energy company of the future.
Find out more about our digital revolution in the stories below.
Emissions per barrel produced, compared with world average
World average emissions per barrel produced
Emissions per barrel produced at Johan Sverdrup
Less than four percent. 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.
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.
Total income in the field’s lifetime, depending on oil price
Income to the Norwegian state
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.
in the development phase
to Norwegian suppliers
in the operational phase
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.
To see all Johan Sverdrup-related news stories, click "More" below.