Electrifying Norway's Offshore Production

According to Rystad Energy, Norway has taken several steps to reduce its upstream emissions through electrifying offshore platforms, reducing flaring volumes, installing carbon capture and storage (CCS), and other energy efficiency measures.

It said that power from shore to offshore platforms already started in 1996 when Troll East (A) came on-stream, with the Johan Sverdrup field as the latest addition in 2019.

The latter infrastructure will also supply power to other developments located on the Utsira High and Sleipner area during the Johan Sverdrup Phase II development.

In fact, in May 2018, Norwegian oil producer Equinor, formerly known as Statoil (STO), began laying a cable that will supply onshore power to the gigantic Johan Sverdrup field.

Martin Linge and Snohvit Phase 2 (Askeladd), both with planned start-up in 2020, will also get power from shore.

Hywind Tampen, the world largest sanctioned floating wind park (88MW), takes offshore electrification to the next level.

From around 10% in 2005, the Norwegian oil and gas production from electrified offshore platforms have increased to around 30% in 2018.

Rystad Energy forecast that the number will grow to around 40% by 2025, driving down CO2 emissions.