On Saturday, September 7, Equinor’s Troll B and C platforms started receiving partial power from shore, marking a key milestone in cutting emissions from the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS). The electrification of these platforms is expected to cut annual CO2 emissions by 250,000 tonnes, aligning with the Plan for Development and Operation (PDO) for the Troll West Electrification (TWEL) project, approved by Norwegian authorities in 2021. This initiative supports Equinor’s broader goal to halve emissions from its operations by 2030.

“The electrification of Troll B and C is a major milestone in our emission reduction efforts,” said Geir Tungesvik, executive vice president for Projects, Drilling & Procurement at Equinor. “This project reduces CO2 emissions by the same amount as 125,000 fossil-fueled cars would produce annually.”

The electricity powering Troll B and C is sourced from Kollsnes, located northwest of Bergen, and travels through a 132 kV power cable that connects to Troll B and then to Troll C. The project has introduced new modules on both platforms to adjust the voltage to onboard systems. Now, the processing and other energy-intensive systems on these platforms run on electricity, though the large export compressors remain gas-powered.

The electrification effort has also stimulated substantial business for Norwegian suppliers, with over 70% of the project’s investments going to local companies. Tungesvik praised the successful collaboration with partners and suppliers, which has enabled the project to be executed safely and efficiently.

The CO2 reduction from the Troll B and C electrification is equivalent to approximately half a percent of Norway’s total annual emissions, and NOx emissions from the field are reduced by about 850 tonnes per year. The gas that was previously burned in turbines on the platforms can now be exported and used more efficiently in Europe.

Kjetil Hove, executive vice president for Exploration & Production Norway, highlighted that the electrification will allow Equinor to develop and produce new discoveries in the Troll and Fram areas with minimal emissions. The TWEL project is ongoing, with plans to fully electrify Troll C, cutting an additional 200,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. This combined effort will help reduce nearly four percent of emissions from Norway’s oil and gas production and about one percent of the country’s total emissions.

The infrastructure at Kollsnes and the power cable are also equipped to support potential future electrification of Troll B. Troll A, located in Troll East, was the first platform on the NCS to be electrified, powered from shore since its start-up in 1996.