Fossil Energy – Subsea Infrastructure
Equinor and its partners are investing NOK 13 billion in the third phase of Johan Sverdrup, one of the world’s most carbon-efficient oil fields.
New subsea infrastructure is expected to increase oil recovery by 40–50 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe).
“By building on the technologies, solutions, and infrastructure from phases 1 and 2 of Johan Sverdrup, we can carry out an efficient development with a rapid start-up of production. The project increases the recovery rate and value creation from Johan Sverdrup, one of the world’s most carbon-efficient oil and gas fields. At the same time, it contributes to stable energy supplies to Europe,” says Trond Bokn, senior vice president for project development in Equinor.
The development includes two new subsea templates, which will be tied into existing infrastructure via new pipelines. The investment will increase recoverable volumes from the field by 40–50 million boe, with production expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2027.
To ensure optimal resource utilisation, the project leveraged artificial intelligence to analyse field layouts and well paths. This technology has enabled faster decision-making and resulted in cost savings of NOK 130 million for the phase 3 project.
The project also facilitates future value creation at Johan Sverdrup by adding extra well slots, and opportunities for connecting additional subsea templates.
The Johan Sverdrup field contributes significantly to value creation and ripple effects in society and has driven important industrial development in Norway.
For the phase 3 project, TechnipFMC has been awarded the contract for engineering, procurement, construction, and installation (EPCI) for the subsea development, with a contract value of approximately NOK 5.3 billion.
Additional contracts, including platform modifications and the drilling of eight wells, are planned to be awarded later in 2025.
