A joint venture backed by SLB, Aker Solutions, and Subsea7 has won a contract from Equinor for an all-electric subsea production systems (SPS) project in the Fram Sør field, offshore Norway, which aims to accelerate the adoption of electric subsea technology and set new standards for increased operator control, subsea operational efficiency, and reduced offshore emissions.
The jv, known as SLB OneSubsea, has been contracted for the front-end engineering design of a 12-well campaign, and as part of the deal, subsequent engineering, procurement, and construction will be granted directly to the business, subject to a final investment decision, SLB said in a release.
The project is the first application to be implemented, resulting from a joint industry project that started in 2018 to accelerate the development of breakthrough electrification technology through a standardised industry solution.
The Fram Sør solution will use SLB OneSubsea’s standard subsea tree design, upgraded with a fully electrified power, control and actuation system, while the elimination of high-pressure hydraulic systems is expected to enable operators to go further and deeper, improving production and making even marginal fields more viable.
“Electrification is vital to the future of subsea operations in the energy transition,” said Mads Hjelmeland, chief executive officer of SLB OneSubsea. “This technology has effectively created the IoT for subsea trees, providing operators with improved control through live performance and condition monitoring.”
SLB OneSubsea was officially approved last year after the trio decided to join forces in the subsea sector in August 2022. SLB owns a 70% stake in the joint venture, while Aker Solutions and Subsea 7 will own 20% and 10%, respectively.
