Andreas Fliss, Norway Country Manager for James Fisher, explores how electrification, digitalisation, and asset intelligence in Norway’s upstream sector is supporting both energy security and net zero targets simultaneously.
Priorities are shifting in the global upstream sector, driven by the demands of energy security, affordability, and the goal of net zero carbon emissions. While international frameworks have set sustainability targets, energy security has come to the fore since the Russian invasion of Ukraine (2022) and conflict in Iran (2026), affecting energy markets worldwide.
From global supermajors to governments, the focus on carbon reduction that marked the first half of the 2020s is now being matched by the importance of security of supply and homegrown energy generation. Demand for solutions which bolster production levels without increasing operating costs or emissions is rising – with electrification playing a key role in supporting this shift.
Electrification technologies are now sufficiently mature to support critical offshore operations, including compressed air generation, fluid transfer, pumping and process support systems. These are increasingly being deployed across active drilling and production assets. As regulations tighten and investor scrutiny grows, this shift may soon be the only way to remain competitive – or even to stay in business.
Electrifying oil and gas production
James Fisher supported its customer with a solution that would electrify oil and gas production in the Norwegian North Sea and contribute to a reduction in CO2 emissions through efficient ST25EL electric compressor technology. This system directly contributed to a CO2 emissions reduction of 160 t across the life of the project, with a 25% reduction in emissions compared to a standard diesel-driven equipment package.1 As offshore operations evolve – driven by a focus on digitalisation, emissions reduction and legislative requirements – a new breed of compressor technology is proving its value in the real-world.
On this project, an effective bulk transfer solution for drilling cuttings was required to operate continuously within a cramped deck layout. A compact, low-emission electrical compressor was selected by the client to maintain performance and meet the campaign’s decarbonisation goals.
James Fisher deployed the ST25EL – a powerful electric compressor suited for environments with limited deck space which would traditionally present cooling challenges for diesel-driven units. Five ST25ELs were stacked beneath the deck structure to maximise both performance and available space, with each producing up to 25 m3/min. of compressed air at working pressures of up to 10 barg. The use of electric compressors can improve the working environment for those on board, reducing noise levels by up to 35 dB.2
This electrified architecture gave greater installation flexibility, as elimination of exhaust systems and lower ventilation requirements enabled deployment in space-constrained areas where diesel-powered alternatives are often impractical, particularly on mature offshore assets.
The switch to electric instead of diesel power extended service intervals to 3000 h: 10 times longer than comparable diesel units, resulting in increased operational continuity and reduced logistics requirements per unit on this project.
The absence of mechanical components – including valves, pistons, lubrication systems and fuel injection components in diesel compressors – also reduced the need for consumables over the electric compressor’s lifetime. Switching to electric power creates a fuel efficiency gain too, as a substantially greater proportion (c.85 - 95%) of input energy is converted into usable output.3 Electrified compressor packages use variable speed drives to match output to demand, reducing energy losses and improving efficiency across a wide operating range. This contrasts with diesel-driven systems, which typically operate at 35 - 45% efficiency due to the thermodynamic properties inherent in internal combustion engines.4
A similar well drilling campaign from 2024 - 2026 in the same basin saw two ST25EL systems deployed and integrated with the operator’s bespoke digital control system for remote operations. 70 t of carbon was saved with a cost reduction of US$62 000 achieved, based on the carbon tax and diesel fuel costs avoided by using an electric solution.5