SLB OneSubsea has secured a contract from Equinor for the front-end engineering design (FEED) of a 12-well, all-electric subsea production systems (SPS) project at the Fram Sør field, offshore Norway.
This initiative is poised to expedite the widespread adoption of electric subsea technology globally, promising enhanced operator control, improved efficiency in subsea operations and a reduction in offshore emissions.
The awarded project represents the first implementation arising from a joint industry project initiated in 2018. The collaboration involved major industry stakeholders and aimed to fast-track the development of innovative electrification technology through a standardised industry solution.
The Fram Sør field encompasses the Dermata, Echino Sør, Blasto and Fram Vest fields, situated 20km north of the Troll field in waters 350m deep.
Under the agreement, engineering, procurement and construction will be directly awarded in future to SLB OneSubsea, subject to a final investment decision.
SLB OneSubsea CEO Mads Hjelmeland said: “Electrification is vital to the future of subsea operations in the energy transition. This technology has effectively created the IoT [Internet of Things] for subsea trees, providing operators with improved control through live performance and condition monitoring. We are grateful for the collaboration with Equinor and the other joint-industry-partners over the past six years that has made this milestone possible.”
The solution for Fram Sør will incorporate SLB OneSubsea’s standard subsea tree design, which will be enhanced with a fully electrified power, control and actuation system. The removal of high-pressure hydraulic systems will allow operators to extend their reach, delve deeper, boost production and render even marginal fields more economically feasible.
SLB OneSubsea, a joint venture supported by SLB, Aker Solutions and Subsea7, is based in Oslo and Houston, and employs around 10,000 people worldwide.
In May 2024, SLB OneSubsea was awarded a significant contract by Equinor for the second stage of Phase 3 of the North Sea Troll project.
The contract’s scope includes nine standard NCS2017+ vertical trees, wellheads, tubing hangers, subsea control modules and other critical equipment.
