Equinor awarded, on behalf of its partners, contracts worth approximately NOK 6 billion to drive four subsea projects on the Norwegian continental shelf. The award is part of a first development phase aimed at accelerating offshore resource production and reducing execution costs.
The company anticipates around 75 subsea developments by 2035. Therefore, the new contracting scheme aims to coordinate suppliers, standardize equipment, and streamline processes so that smaller discoveries can advance more rapidly toward production.
A Strategy to Accelerate Subsea Projects
The projects included in this phase are TWIN, Omega Sør, Tyrihans Nord, and Brime. Combined, they are estimated to contribute between 130 and 220 million barrels of oil equivalent to future production on the Norwegian continental shelf.
Likewise, Equinor seeks to reduce both costs and execution times for subsea developments by up to half. The company considers it key to anticipate the procurement of long-lead equipment and use standard solutions that can be applied across multiple projects if any of them does not advance due to partner or regulatory approval.
TechnipFMC, OneSubsea, Ocean Installer, NOV, and Tenaris Participate in the Subsea Contracts
TechnipFMC will supply subsea production systems for Brime, Omega Sør, and Tyrihans Nord. It will also install rigid pipelines at the Troll field, while Tenaris will provide the main pipeline.
For its part, OneSubsea will deliver the subsea production system for TWIN and the umbilicals for all projects. Ocean Installer will assume marine operations, including the installation and connection of subsea installations, control cables, and flexible pipelines. NOV will supply flexible pipelines for Omega Sør, Tyrihans Nord, and Brime.
TWIN Advances as an Approved Project
TWIN will be connected to Troll A and represents the third development phase of the gas area in Troll West. The investment exceeds NOK 4 billion and is expected to contribute approximately 11 billion standard cubic meters of gas.
The development includes two wells on a new template, a pipeline linked to existing subsea infrastructure, and the extension of the control cable and MEG line. The gas will be produced through Troll A before being sent to Kollsnes.
To date, TWIN is the only project approved by the owners. In accordance with the Petroleum Act, the partnership notified the Ministry of Energy of its development.
Brime, Omega Sør, and Tyrihans Nord Await Further Approvals
Brime will be developed through four wells from a template connected to existing subsea infrastructure at Visund Sør. The flow, primarily gas, will be sent to Gullfaks C for processing and then transported to Kårstø for export. Its recoverable volumes are estimated between 16 and 34 million barrels of oil equivalent.
Meanwhile, Omega Sør is an oil discovery near the Snorre field, with estimated recoverable resources between 25 and 89 million barrels. The plan includes a template and a Cap-X production satellite connected to existing subsea installations, with production via Snorre A.
Tyrihans Nord, discovered in 1984, would be developed with two wells connected to the existing production pipeline between the Tyrihans subsea field and the Kristin platform. Its volumes are estimated between 20 and 30 million barrels of oil equivalent, primarily gas.
Sissel Also Enters the First Phase
Additionally, Equinor included Sissel in this first stage. The discovery, made in January, was initially planned to drill a well using a new Cap-X structure. However, the design was simplified and will now be drilled from the existing Utgard structure.
With this portfolio, Equinor aims to make marginal discoveries profitable and maintain offshore activity in Norway. The key will be to combine scale, standardization, and early coordination with suppliers so that subsea projects advance with lower costs and shorter timelines.
Source and photo: Equinor
