The Troll field in the North Sea will become nearly fully electrified using power from shore in 2026 (Illustration: Equinor).
23/04/2021
Once Troll Vest in the North Sea is hooked up to receive electric power through cables from shore in 2026 (Troll B partial, Troll C complete), this will result in emission cuts of 466,000 tonnes of CO₂ each year, according to statements by operator Equinor in a new plan for development and operation (PDO), submitted Friday.
This emission cut is equivalent to around one per cent of total emissions in Norway (around 50 million tonnes).
Troll A was the first platform on the Norwegian shelf to run on power from shore. Until now, Troll B and C have been run on power from gas generators on the platforms.
The work to modify and prepare Troll B is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2024, while Troll C will be ready for power from shore by the autumn of 2026.
The PDO describes the plans to modify the platforms in the North Sea, the onshore facility at Kollsnes outside Bergen and the power cables from Kollsnes out to the field. According to Equinor, the total investment is estimated at 7.9 billion kroner (2021).
Continued electrification of oil and gas fields using power from shore is important if Equinor is to keep its pledge of a 40 per cent emission cut by 2030.
Generally speaking, it is most profitable to electrify fields with long lifetimes (like Troll) and significant emissions, and which are located relatively close to shore.
In good weather, the Troll field can be glimpsed from the Ulriken mountain in Bergen.
08/12/2023
Analyses show that the Barents Sea contains significant resources, probably more gas than oil. What needs to be done if Norway is to supply Europe with the requested volumes of gas?
06/12/2023
There are vast proven gas resources on the Norwegian shelf which are currently without development plans. Much of this gas is located in tight reservoirs – which makes it difficult to produce.
06/12/2023
The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has granted Vår Energi AS drilling permit for well 7219/6-1 in production licence 1025 S, cf. Section 13 of the Resource Management Regulations.
05/12/2023
The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has conducted a mapping of gas resources that, for various reasons, have yet to be developed. Several of these discoveries could be produced in a manner that is profitable from a socio-economic perspective.
30/11/2023
The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has granted Harbour Energy Norge AS drilling permit for well 15/9-25 in production licence 1138, cf. Section 13 of the Resource Management Regulations.
16/11/2023
The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) is changing its name to the Norwegian Offshore Directorate as of 1 January 2024. The new name reflects the additional responsibilities assigned to the directorate in recent years.
16/11/2023
The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has granted Equinor Energy ASA drilling permit for well 35/11-28 S in production licence 248 C, cf. Section 13 of the Resource Management Regulations.
15/11/2023
The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has granted Neptune Energy Norge AS drilling permit for well 35/6-4 A in production licence 929, cf. Section 13 of the Resource Management Regulations.
