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More oil and gas to Europe from the Fram and Troll area

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“Fram Sør will contribute to security of energy supply from the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) to Europe. The development will put new oil and gas resources on stream by connecting new infrastructure to existing facilities that provide good and robust profitability.

With the host platform Troll C being powered from shore, the production from Fram Sør will have very low emissions. The project will generate activity for the Norwegian supply industry, with an estimated employment effect of 4,500 full-time equivalents (FTEs) during the development period,” says Geir Tungesvik, Equinor’s executive vice president, Projects, Drilling & Procurement.

The Fram Sør project is a combined development of several discoveries that will export oil and gas via Troll C. Recoverable volumes are estimated at 116 million barrels of oil equivalent, 75 percent of which is oil and 25 percent is gas. Production is scheduled to start at the end of 2029.

The CO2 intensity for the Fram Sør development is estimated at about 0.5 kg of CO2 per barrel of oil equivalent. The average for the NCS is 8 kg. The industry average is about 16 kg per barrel of oil equivalent (IOGP 2023).

“We have done a thorough job maturing the new resources discovered in the Fram and Troll area in recent years. Fram Sør shows the importance of area solutions and close collaboration between partners and authorities in order to realise the resource values on a mature NCS. We have a large portfolio of projects that will phase in discoveries to our producing fields. Equinor expects to put more than 50 such projects on stream by 2035,” says Kjetil Hove, Equinor’s executive vice president for Exploration & Production Norway.

In the autumn of 2019, Equinor and partners made a discovery of oil and gas in the Fram area of the North Sea. This discovery, called Echino South, supported the belief that more oil could be found, and contributed to nine discoveries made in the Troll-Fram area over a four-year period. In the spring of 2021, Equinor and partners made the Blasto discovery. Together with two smaller discoveries in previous years, Echino South and Blasto form the basis for Fram Sør.

The field development is also technologically groundbreaking. As the first on the NCS, Fram Sør will use all-electric Christmas trees that eliminate the need for hydraulic fluid supplied from the platform and improve monitoring capabilities of the subsea equipment. It is an efficient and reliable system for operating subsea Christmas trees, as well as reducing the risk of environmental impact.

The Fram Sør investments will contribute to the Norwegian supply industry both in the development and operation phases. A ripple effect study conducted by Kunnskapsparken in Bodø indicates an employment effect of 4,500 full-time equivalents in Norway through the development period. Most of the suppliers have a Norwegian invoice address, but some of the construction takes place abroad.

In total, the contracts will have a value of about NOK 18 billion.

All contracts will be subject to regulatory approval.

Fram partners: Equinor Energy AS (45%), Vår Energi ASA (40%) and INPEX Idemitsu Norge AS (15%).

Italian Navy orders two new PPA to replace those transferred to Indonesia

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Fincantieri strengthens its strategic role in the Italian Navy’s fleet renewal program with a new contract for the construction of two PPA- Multipurpose Combat Ships, set to replace the vessels previously earmarked for the Indonesian Navy.

The contract extension, originally launched under the most recent “Naval Act,” is managed by OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement) within the Temporary Business Grouping (RTI) formed by Fincantieri, as lead contractor, and Leonardo, as partner. For Fincantieri, the value of the contract for the two new units is approximately 700 million euros, which includes works already carried out on the previous units now destined for Indonesia.

The two new PPA-Multipurpose Combat Ships will be delivered in the “Light Plus” configuration at Fincantieri’s Integrated Shipyard in Riva Trigoso and Muggiano, with deliveries scheduled for 2029 and 2030, respectively.

Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri, stated: “This contract confirms the strategic importance of the program, highlighting our Group’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively to the operational needs of the Italian Navy. The new units bolster the national supply chain, ensuring production continuity and employment stability, while also strengthening Italy’s role as a central player in the global defense geopolitical landscape, where shipbuilding is increasingly a key element of influence and international cooperation.”

Technical Features: PPA-Multipurpose Combat Ship:

The PPA-Multipurpose Combat Ship is a highly flexible vessel capable of serving multiple functions, ranging from patrol missions with sea rescue capacity to civil protection operations, and acting as a first-line fighting vessel. 

The production program follows a ‘fitted for’ approach, enabling the integration of additional capabilities over time—starting from a shared platform and evolving toward a fully equipped configuration The combat system is available in different configurations: from a “light” version for patrol tasks integrated with self-defence capabilities, to a “full” version providing complete defence capabilities. 

The vessel is also capable of operating high-speed vessels such as RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat) up to 11 meters long through lateral cranes or a hauling ramp located at the far stern.

  • Overall length: 143 meters
  • Speed: more than 31 knots
  • Crew: 171 personnel
  • Equipped with a combined diesel and gas turbine propulsion plant (CODAG) and an electric propulsion system
  • Capacity to supply drinking water and electrical power to land

Econowind installs four VentoFoils on tanker M/T JUTLANDIA SWAN

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Econowind has successfully installed four 16-metre VentoFoils on board the chemical tanker M/T JUTLANDIA SWAN, owned and operated by Danish shipping company Uni-Tankers. 

“This is the fourth tanker to sail with VentoFoils,” says Chiel de Leeuw, Chief Commercial Officer at Econowind. “It shows how our suction wing technology is gaining traction in the tanker segment. Thanks to our experience and ATEX-approved systems, we know what’s required for these vessels. And we’re proud to support Uni-Tankers as they take this important step.”

M/T JUTLANDIA SWAN is a 124 x 20 metre tanker. Inspired by a similar setup on a Chemship parcel tanker, Uni-Tankers saw an opportunity to apply wind propulsion to one of their own vessels, aligning with their ambitions to decarbonize operations. 

The project was carefully prepared in advance. During a scheduled drydock in Turkey, the foundation works were carried out. Once the vessel arrived in Rotterdam, the commissioning process proceeded swiftly at Rotterdam Offshore Group (ROG), underlining how easily VentoFoils can be integrated into operational workflows.

The system is currently undergoing classification with Bureau Veritas and is expected to deliver strong performance: a 10% improvement in EEXI and a 3% contribution towards FuelEU Maritime compliance. This makes the business case not only technically viable but also economically compelling.

“Wind-Assisted Ship Propulsion has clear potential — but its real value depends on how well it integrates into daily operations. Now we’ll be able to test how these sails behave at sea, what they mean for fuel efficiency, and how the crew can work with them in practice,” says Kristian Larsen, Technical Director at Uni-Tankers.

With wind seen as a key pillar in Uni-Tankers’ decarbonization strategy, the M/T JUTLANDIA SWAN will now serve as a test case for integrating suction-based wind propulsion in everyday tanker operations.

Damen delivers state-of-the-art Shoalbuster 2711 UKD Seadragon to UK Dredging

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During a festive ceremony, a Damen Shoalbuster 2711 WID (Water Injection Dredging) was christened. 

The vessel has been delivered by Damen Shipyards to UK Dredging, a subsidiary of Associated British Ports. The ceremony took place in the Roath Basin in Cardiff, Wales, with Mrs Rhian Lewis acting as the godmother and officially naming the vessel UKD Seadragon.

The Shoalbuster 2711 WID was designed specifically for UK Dredging as a multipurpose dredging and support vessel. It will be used for surveys, buoy handling, bed-levelling and Water Injection Dredging. The UKD Seadragon has a diesel-electric propulsion system fed by three independent generators, which enables the vessel to sail on only one engine. This fuel efficiency is one of the many examples of the aim to reduce emissions.

“We are very pleased to add the UKD Seadragon to our fleet”, said Mark Pearson, UKD General Manager. “The UK Seadragon has already completed various Water Injection Dredging trials at different locations such as Cardiff, Swansea and Newport. We have seen impressive dredging performances at low fuel consumption. Moreover, the versatility and the manoeuvrability of this advanced vessel clearly enhance our fleet.”

For the past weeks, the UKD Seadragon has been performing maintenance dredging duties in the various ports and harbours in Wales using its WID equipment. This equipment includes an electrically driven E-DOP450L submersible dredge pump, built onto a skid that is lowered to the sea bed using its dedicated A-frame. The dredging action involves the submerged dredge pump supplying water that is injected into the built-up sediment, which is thus refloated and taken away by the current. The UKD Seadragon has shown excellent results during these first dredging campaigns.

“As shipbuilders, we are honoured to have built the UKD Seadragon,” added Joppe Neijens of Damen Shipyards. “It has been a pleasure to cooperate with UK Dredging and we are very happy with this partnership and, of course, the great performances of the vessel these first few weeks. The UKD Seadragon is currently at work in Swansea, and will continue to service various harbours to verify the WID effectiveness at different locations. This certainly is the new generation of efficient and innovative water injection dredgers.”   

Aker BP and its partners drill dry well on the Rondeslottet prospect

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Aker BP and its partners have drilled a dry well on the “Rondeslottet” prospect in the Norwegian Sea.

Wildcat well 6405/7-4 was drilled in production licence 1005, which was included in the Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) 2018, with awards taking place in March 2019.

Well 6405/7-4 is located in the Møre Basin, around 80 kilometres north of the Ormen Lange field and 175 kilometres northwest of Kristiansund. 

The primary exploration target for the well was to prove oil in Upper Cretaceous reservoir rocks in the Nise Formation.

6405/7-4 encountered the Nise Formation with a total thickness of 204 metres, of which 11 metres was sandstone layers with poor reservoir quality. The well is classified as dry.

Well 6405/7-4 was drilled to a vertical depth of 2897 metres below sea level, and was terminated in the Kvitnos Formation in the Upper Cretaceous. 

Water depth at the site is 1104 metres. The well has been permanently plugged and abandoned.

The wildcat well was drilled using the Scarabeo 8 drilling rig.

Fugro to provide integrated site characterisation for offshore wind projects

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Fugro has been awarded contracts to conduct both geophysical and geotechnical site investigations for the development of two large-scale offshore wind farms in the German North Sea. 

Fugro’s comprehensive site characterisation work will provide essential Geo-data on the seabed and subsurface conditions northwest of the island of Borkum. The geophysical surveys will provide initial detailed mapping of the seabed and shallow subsurface layers, identifying potential hazards and informing early design considerations.

The geotechnical investigation will provide data on the seabed’s soil composition and characteristics through in situ testing and sampling. The combined geophysical and geotechnical data will be crucial for foundation design, structural analysis, cable routing, and risk assessment during the construction and operational phases of the project.

John ten Hoope, Fugro’s Regional Business Line Director for Marine Site Characterisation in Europe and Africa said: “This project aligns with our goal of supporting the development of sustainable energy solutions and using our expertise in complex offshore investigations. We are committed to providing the critical Geo-data needed for the safe and efficient development of these important wind farms, contributing to the growth of renewable energy in the North Sea.”

This contract follows Fugro’s previous geotechnical investigations for the 1.6 GW Nordseecluster project (RWE share: 51%) in Germany and builds upon preliminary geotechnical data acquired by Fugro for the German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH).

LR delivers classification for world-first WindWings® Aframax tanker BRANDS HATCH

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Built by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (SWS) for Union Maritime Limited (UML), the 114,000 DWT vessel is now the most powerful wind-assisted cargo ship in operation. 

The LR-classed vessel is fitted with three 37.5-metre-tall WindWings® developed by UK-based BAR Technologies. These rigid sails are capable of intelligent aerodynamic adjustment in angle and camber to optimise aerodynamic efficiency, providing additional thrust that reduces fuel consumption and lowers carbon emissions.

The system has achieved independently verified performance results, reducing daily fuel consumption by up to 14.5 tonnes and CO₂ emissions by up to 45 tonnes under ideal wind conditions at 20 knots.  Under typical operating conditions, the vessel is projected to achieve an annual fuel saving of 12%, equating to a reduction of nearly 5,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year.

As the first classification society in China to support a wind-assisted propulsion system on a crude oil tanker, LR provided full technical services from design to delivery. This included Approval in Principle (AiP), HAZID/HAZOP processes, design appraisal, and coordination with flag authorities to ensure the WindWings® installation met rigorous safety and compliance standards. LR’s involvement extended to installation supervision and sea trials, which confirmed the system’s performance and seaworthiness.

Laurent Cadji, Managing Director at Union Maritime, said: “The delivery of Brands Hatch is a powerful example of how Union Maritime is responding to the evolving regulatory landscape by deploying smart and environmentally responsible technologies. As our first vessel with WindWings®, and with more to follow, it signals the beginning of a new era for Union Maritime, and the wider industry, as we combine our deep sector expertise with cutting-edge innovation to drive greater efficiency and lower our carbon footprint.”

John Cooper, CEO BAR Technologies, said: “The success of this project paves the way for additional vessels of similar size and configuration under LR Class. This includes another with the same owner, ship type and technology that is already underway at Yangzijiang Shipyard, with WindWings® again manufactured by China Merchants Energy Tech in Shanghai.”

At the naming ceremony, Sau Weng Tang, LR President of Greater China said: “The ‘BRANDS HATCH’ project marks a significant milestone in bringing innovative technology into commercial shipbuilding. It reflects the strong collaboration between LR and Chinese shipyards in driving the transition to greener shipping. Our full technical involvement throughout the project has ensured the vessel meets the highest international standards for safety, performance, and compliance.”

Woodside completes Louisiana LNG sell-down to Stonepeak

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Woodside to announces the completion of the sell-down of a 40% interest in Louisiana LNG Infrastructure LLC to Stonepeak, a leading global investment firm specialising in infrastructure and real assets.

The completion follows Woodside’s announcement on 7 April 2025 that it had signed an agreement with Stonepeak, enhancing Louisiana LNG economics and strengthening Woodside’s near-term capacity for shareholder returns.

Under the transaction, Stonepeak will provide US$5.7 billion towards the expected capital expenditure for the foundation development of Louisiana LNG on an accelerated basis, contributing 75% of project capital expenditure in both 2025 and 2026.

The closing payment of approximately US$1.9 billion received by Woodside reflects Stonepeak’s 75% share of capex funding incurred since the effective date of 1 January 2025.

Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill said Stonepeak would add further value to the Louisiana LNG Project.

“Our partnership with Stonepeak reflects the attractiveness of Louisiana LNG and was a key milestone towards achieving a successful final investment decision. Stonepeak is a high-quality partner, with extensive investment experience across US gas and LNG infrastructure.

“The accelerated capital contribution from Stonepeak enhances Louisiana LNG project returns and strengthens our capacity for shareholder returns ahead of first cargo from the Scarborough Energy Project in Western Australia, targeted for the second half of 2026.

“We continue to see strong interest from additional potential partners in Louisiana LNG.”

Stonepeak Senior Managing Director and Head of US Private Equity James Wyper said the company was pleased to be working with Woodside.

“Louisiana LNG will be a timely and strategic addition to the US LNG export landscape as the world’s demand for cleaner, more flexible and more affordable energy continues to grow.

“We look forward to contributing our expertise and capital to the construction and future operation of Louisiana LNG and are highly energised to continue supporting the development of critical North American LNG infrastructure with global impact.”

PowerCell’s Marine System 225 receives Type Approval from Lloyd’s Register

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Lloyd’s Register has confirmed that the Marine System 225 meets international standards for safety, performance, and design standards within the maritime industry. 

With this certification, PowerCell’s fuel cell system has now been given the greenlight for deployment on a wide range of vessels, enabling shipowners and operators to confidently adopt hydrogen electric technology.

“The maritime industry is undergoing a profound transformation with dynamic changes, and technologies like hydrogen fuel cells will play a crucial role in shaping its sustainable future. Granting type approval to Power Cell’s Marine System 225 demonstrates that the system meets our stringent safety and performance standards and is ready for integration into commercial marine applications,” said Claudene Sharp-Patel Global Technical Director, Lloyd’s Register

Designed specifically for the marine environment, the Marine System 225 delivers 225 kW of efficient and vibration-free power. Its modular and compact structure allows for seamless integration into both newbuild and retrofit applications, making it ideal for ferries, workboats, patrol vessels, and offshore support ships.

For these smaller vessels, often on shorter or fixed routes, fuel cells can serve as the main propulsion system. This allows them to produce zero greenhouse gas emissions and no harmful local emissions such as SOx, NOx and particulate matter to improve air quality for passengers, crew and port communities.

Lisa Kylhammar, SVP Engineering of PowerCell Group, stated, “This Type Approval is not just a technical milestone, it’s a clear signal to the maritime industry that hydrogen fuel cell systems are safe, viable, and ready for commercial deployment, it simplifies the path to zero-emission vessel design and accelerates the transition to sustainable shipping.”

The Marine System 225 is part of PowerCell’s growing portfolio of scalable marine solutions, supported by decades of R&D and operational success. The system supports compliance with global decarbonisation targets, including the IMO’s GHG strategy and the EU’s Fit for 55 package.

Cosco Shipping’s four new gas carriers will operate with Wärtsilä fuel supply systems

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Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, part of technology group Wärtsilä, will supply the cargo handling and fuel supply systems for four new Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGCs) being built in COSCO Shipping (Qidong) Offshore for  their owner group.

Wärtsilä Gas Solutions’ position as a leading designer and supplier of such systems was cited as a key factor in the award of this contract. The order for two vessels was booked by Wärtsilä Gas Solutions in Q4, 2024, and the order for the additional two vessels in Q2, 2025.

The complete Wärtsilä Gas Solutions’ scope covers the engineering, material, as well as the supervision, commissioning and gas trials for the systems. Included in the materials scope are the machinery, instrumentation, electric and control system. Wärtsilä Gas Solutions will also provide on-site shipyard assistance during the vessels’ construction. 

“This contract once again emphasizes our strength in this field, especially with Very Large Gas Carriers,” says Barry Yang, Sales Manager, Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, China. “Although this is Wärtsilä Gas Solutions’ first contract with Cosco for cargo handling and fuel supply systems, our two companies have had a long-term cooperation on numerous projects, and we are naturally delighted to be supporting them again on this project.”  

The Wärtsilä Gas Solutions equipment is scheduled for delivery to the yard commencing in the second half of 2025. The four 88,000 cubic meter VLGCs are expected to begin commercial operations from late 2026 onwards.

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