Can Equinor’s Subsea Bet Redefine Offshore Energy?

Fram Sør marks a landmark investment in low-carbon offshore development on the Norwegian shelf

27 Aug 2025

Norway is charging ahead in offshore innovation with Equinor’s decision to greenlight development of the Fram Sør field. The energy giant has tapped OneSubsea, a joint venture between SLB, Aker Solutions, and Subsea7, to deliver a 12-well, all-electric subsea production system tied back to the Troll C platform.

This marks a milestone for the industry. The project is billed as the first large-scale all-electric subsea system, replacing traditional hydraulics with electric actuation. That shift promises to lower emissions, simplify maintenance, and enable remote operation. Because Troll C already draws power from shore, Fram Sør will operate with notably low emissions once production begins.

SLB OneSubsea will lead delivery of the subsea system, while Subsea7 handles subsea structures, flowlines, and umbilical installations covering about 53 kilometers. Aker Solutions is charged with modifying the Troll C topsides to receive and process Fram Sør’s output, a coordinated effort that ties together multiple layers of subsea and surface expertise.

The engineering, procurement, and construction award, announced on August 25, 2025, follows a year of front-end engineering work that began in mid-2024. With its development plan submitted earlier this year, Fram Sør is set to become a strategic tie-back project, adding new production through existing infrastructure while advancing electrification across the Norwegian shelf.

Industry watchers see Equinor’s move as more than a one-off. Fram Sør could signal a model for future North Sea developments that are leaner, smarter, and cleaner. By using all-electric subsea systems and connecting to shore-powered platforms, operators can unlock smaller fields and extend the life of mature assets without the cost or carbon footprint of new installations.

In a region known for its offshore prowess, Fram Sør shows how Norway’s oil and gas industry is evolving: still producing, but doing so with an eye firmly on the future.