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Reusing Norway’s offshore infrastructure

    Equinor @50Our energy solutionsEnergy transition & net zero

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Exploring for oil and gas in mature areas can provide more energy faster – and with lower emissions.

The extraordinary situation in Europe has turned the energy market upside down and increased energy demand drastically in many European countries. Simultaneously as we’ve seen sky-high prices for gas and electricity, we are also in the middle of another crisis: the climate crisis. This can hardly be dealt with unless the energy issues are solved. Without energy, the world stops.

“Managing the remaining oil and gas resources responsibly is essential, both to maintain a supply of oil and gas with low CO₂ emissions and to ensure the transformation of the Norwegian continental shelf towards a carbon-neutral future. The income from oil and gas is crucial to invest in and develop new renewable energy and new low-carbon solutions,” says Tom Dreyer, head of exploration for the northern North Sea.

Reusing at new discoveries

Near-field exploration is central to how Equinor optimises its oil and gas portfolio. New discoveries can be tied to existing infrastructure rather than building new installations and platforms. This way, the utilisation of the infrastructure Equinor has invested in over the past decades is maximized. Therefore, at least 80 percent of Equinor’s exploration resources and investments are now concentrated around established oil and gas platforms.

As the infrastructure often facilitates low emissions from production because the installation is being electrified – either with clean power from land or nearby floating wind turbines – it provides increased competitiveness at a time when the world’s demand for oil and gas will remain high.

As the world moves towards net zero emissions, the market is expected to increasingly demand the cheapest barrels with the lowest CO₂ footprint.

Tom Dreyerhead of exploration for the northern North Sea
The Fram field.
New opportunities: In the past year, several discoveries have been made near the Fram field. Equinor has known about the potential here for 20 years. But, with the opportunity to easily connect to the infrastructure at Troll, it’s not until now it has been appropriate to explore.
Photo: Roar Lindefjeld

Fram – the oil field of the future

Travelling about 150 kilometres offshore, northwest of the coastal city of Bergen, we will find nothing that reveals we are in the middle of an active oil field. Under the surface is the Fram field, a field which has been producing large quantities of oil since 2003. Here, all production takes place via five smaller installations on the seabed. The recovered oil is sent through a network of submarine pipelines to the floating production platform Troll C on the Troll field, 20 kilometres further south.

“Previously, a traditional oil platform with large investments and significant CO2 emissions would have been built here due to the size of the field,” says project manager Jarle Ravnøy.

But that is not the case today. The proximity to Troll C and the development of new subsea solutions means that Equinor can further develop and operate the Fram field efficiently and more sustainably.

The development and success of the Fram field is a direct result of Equinor’s strategy of exploring in areas already developed. Additional resources can also extend the lifespan of Troll C, and as the installation will soon be fully electrified, production can take place with low CO₂ emissions.

“By utilising the available capacity on existing oil platforms, we just need to develop new templates and transport solutions,” says Ravnøy.

Important for net zero

In the long term, near-field exploration can strengthen Norway’s competitiveness in the international oil and gas market. The technology will also be crucial in terms of the global net-zero goal.

“Equinor’s ambition is to continue supplying energy to society with lower emissions and net zero by 2050,” Tom Dreyer concludes.

Near-field exploration – what is it?

  • Near-field exploration is exploration carried out close to already existing infrastructure.
  • Discoveries tied to existing infrastructure do not require expensive new developments.
  • The method ensures good resource management and provides a basis for profitable barrels with low emissions, which is an essential part of the optimisation of the Norwegian continental shelf.
  • At least 80 percent of Equinor’s exploration resources and investments will be concentrated around existing infrastructure.

This is one of many stories from our first 50 years. It is also part of the story of how we will succeed with the energy transition.

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