Equinor has announced the partial electrification of the Troll B and C platforms in the North Sea from shore, a significant step towards reducing carbon emissions on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS).
This move is expected to cut CO₂ emissions by approximately 250,000tpa and NOx emissions by around 850tpa.
The transition to partial electrification commenced on 7 September 2024 and aligns with the company's approved plan for development and operation for Troll West electrification (TWEL), which was approved in 2021 by the authorities in Norway.
Power is supplied to Troll B and C from Kollsnes, travelling through a new electro building that serves both the Troll and Oseberg fields. A 132kV power cable delivers electricity to Troll B, which is then routed to Troll C. To accommodate the new power source, voltage-adjusting modules have been installed on both platforms.
While processing and other energy-intensive operations on the platforms have transitioned to electric power, the large export compressors remain gas-powered.
The ongoing TWEL project aims to fully electrify Troll C, anticipating a further reduction of 200,000tpa in CO₂ emissions.
Upon completion, these measures are projected to reduce the total emissions from oil and gas production on the NCS by almost 4%, equating to nearly 1% of Norway's total emissions. The infrastructure at Kollsnes, along with the power cable to the platforms, is designed to accommodate the future full electrification of Troll B as well.
The Troll A platform, also known as Troll East, was the pioneer in shore-based power on the NCS, having been electrified since its inception in 1996. Equinor, as the operator of the Troll Unit, holds a 30.6% stake.
The partnership includes Petoro with a 56% stake, A/S Norske Shell with a 8.1% interest, TotalEnergies with 3.7% and ConocoPhillips Skandinavia owning 1.6%.
