Efforts to reduce our emissions in Norway in 2019 included working closely with supplier Solstad Offshore to install batteries on three platform supply vessels (PSVs) as part of a hybrid-based power solution. The PSVs provide goods and equipment to ConocoPhillips installations in the Greater Ekofisk Area of the North Sea from the company’s shore base in Tananger.

Battery-hybrid propulsion offers several advantages. Consumption of marine gas oil (the main source of power generation) is reduced by 15% and annual emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (NOx) are reduced annually by around 3,700 tonnes and 60 tonnes respectively. The batteries also offer improved safety since they will restart power supply in a split second if the vessels experience an outage. Additionally, the batteries act as a spinning reserve during dynamic position operations to stabilize the vessels alongside offshore installations, further enhancing operational safety. When the PSVs dock in Tananger they immediately connect to hydroelectric power, which provides a better onboard working environment by eliminating noise and vibrations, as well as air emissions. This further reduces emissions by 1,400 tonnes of CO2 and 20 tonnes of NOx annually.  

Approximately 40% of project cost, 15 million Norwegian kroner (about $1.6 million), was funded through Norway’s NOx Fund. The primary objective of the fund is to reduce emissions by providing investment assistance to projects from collected carbon taxes.