Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy has approved a revised plan for development and operation (PDO) for partial electrification of the Sleipner field centre in the Norwegian North Sea.
The approval came around eight months after the Equinor and its partners took the investment decision and submitted the revised plan to the ministry. The project is estimated to entail an investment of Nkr850m ($100m).
The plan involves laying a new power cable from the Sleipner field to the Gina Krog platform, which will be connected to receive power from shore Utsira High area solution.
The partial electrification is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions at Sleipner by more than 150,000tpa.
During periods when more power is required, Sleipner will continue to use gas turbines to meet demand.
Equinor Technology, Projects and Drilling executive vice-president Arne Sigve Nylund said: “Partial electrification of the Sleipner field centre will contribute to major cuts in emissions from our activities and provide significant assignments for the supplier industry in a demanding time.
“As the authorities have approved the PDO, we can keep developing the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) towards the goal of zero greenhouse gas emissions in 2050.”
Sleipner is expected to be tied into the Utsira High area solution by the end of next year.
Equinor Energy operates Sleipner with a 59.6% stake while Vår Energi, Lotos Exploration and Production Norge, Kufpec Norway are the other stakeholders.
Separately, Equinor has secured Norwegian Petroleum Directorate approval to drill well 34/6-5 S, located around 25km east of the Snorre field.
The company will use the West Hercules facility to drill the well.
