Equinor awards framework agreements to seven supplier companies with a total value of around NOK 100 billion. These agreements lay the foundation for safe and competitive operations at Equinor’s offshore installations and onshore plants in the years to come.
Equinor awards twelve new framework agreements for maintenance and modifications on the company’s offshore installations and onshore plants. The agreements commence in the first half of 2026, have a duration of five years, and include extension options of three and two years. The total annual value is approximately NOK 10 billion. The agreements create predictability and ripple effects for the Norwegian supplier industry across the country.
'The Norwegian continental shelf will remain the backbone for Equinor for a long time. Our ambition is to maintain a high production level and predictable energy deliveries to Europe towards 2035. At the same time, the shelf is entering a mature phase that will require new solutions. To succeed, we must, together with the supplier industry, find new ways of working that strengthen our competitiveness. These agreements facilitate long-term collaboration and continuous improvement on core tasks at Equinor’s offshore installations and onshore facilities in Norway,' says Kjetil Hove, executive vice president for the Norwegian continental shelf at Equinor.
Kjetil Hove, executive vice president for the Norwegian continental shelf at Equinor, and Jannicke Nilsson, chief procurement officer at Equinor
Photos: Ole Jørgen Bratland / ©Equinor
'These are strategically important agreements, and collectively among the largest Equinor has awarded. The agreements will ensure long-term activity and value creation across Norway, with job creation estimated at around 4,000 man-years at the suppliers. The goal is close, long-term, and predictable cooperation that strengthens the culture for safety and security and our shared competitiveness. Together, we will work safer and smarter, and scale up the use of new technology,' says Jannicke Nilsson, chief procurement officer at Equinor.
To support the ambition of maintaining production around 1.2 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (2020 level) on the Norwegian continental shelf towards 2035, Equinor plans to:
- Invest about NOK 60–70 billion annually in increased recovery and new fields on the Norwegian continental shelf.
- Drill around 250 exploration wells and about 600 wells for increased recovery.
- Perform 300 well interventions annually and around 2,500 modification projects.
- Mature and develop over 75 subsea developments that can be tied to existing infrastructure.
- Reduce own greenhouse gas emissions towards nearly 50% by 2030 (compared to 2015 figures), while delivering stable and predictable energy supplies to Europe.
- Invest in maintenance and modifications at installations and onshore facilities to strengthen safety and maintain high regularity, while reducing climate and environmental footprints.
The agreements cover seven suppliers, three of which are new players in maintenance and modifications.
Back row: Kjetil Hove, Equinor (left), Kjetel Digre, Aker Solutions, Jan Narvestad, Rosenberg Worley, Øystein Stjern and IKM Gruppen. Front row: Geir Sørtveit (left), Equinor, Jannicke Nilsson, Equinor, Morten Leikvoll, Head Energy, Karsten Gudmundset, Apply, Mads Andersen, Aibel and Henrik Melsom, Wood Group Norway.
Photo: Ole Jørgen Bratland / ©Equinor
Agreements and allocation
Maintenance and modifications for installations on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS):
- Aibel AS: Sleipner, Gudrun, Draupner, Gullfaks, Visund, Oseberg, Martin Linge, Aasta Hansteen, Norne, Johan Castberg and Snøhvit.
- Aker Solutions AS: Johan Sverdrup, Grane, Troll, Kvitebjørn, Valemon, Kristin, Åsgard, Heidrun and Njord.
- Wood Group Norway AS: Snorre.
Maintenance and modifications for onshore plants in Norway:
- Aibel AS: Hammerfest LNG, Mongstad, Kårstø and Tjeldbergodden.
- Aker Solutions AS: Øygarden (Kollsnes and Sture).
Large modifications (extended projects) for installations on the NCS and the onshore plants:
- Aibel AS, Aker Solutions AS, Apply AS, Wood Group Norway AS: The suppliers are qualified as bidders for upcoming tenders.
Maintenance and simple projects for selected installations on the NCS:
- Rosenberg Worley AS: Sleipner and Johan Sverdrup.
- Head Energy AS: Gullfaks, Oseberg and Troll.
- IKM Gruppen AS: Åsgard and Heidrun.
The final portfolio distribution will be assigned when the contracts are signed. Signing is planned in week four.
What is maintenance and modifications?
- Maintenance and modifications involves planning, engineering, installation, and completion of modification and maintenance projects, as well as maintenance on installations on the Norwegian continental shelf and onshore plants.
- Many different disciplines are involved in the work, including mechanical, electrical, and automation. The work involves approximately 4,000 direct man-years.
- The last time Equinor entered into contracts for VEM was in 2015.
Source: Equinor
