SLB OneSubsea Technology For Northern Lights CO2 Transport And Storage Project

SLB OneSubsea was awarded an engineering, procurement, and construction contract by Equinor for a CO₂ subsea injection system for the Northern Lights phase two project offshore Norway.

The final investment decision for phase two was made by the Northern Lights’ owners TotalEnergies, Shell, and Equinor following a commercial agreement with an end-use customer. The SLB OneSubsea scope includes two new satellite subsea CO₂ injection systems with associated tie-in equipment.

The compressor stations contain four compressors each with 8 MW power, 11,000 m max head, 11,000 m³/hr flow rate, and 551 psi (38 bar) differential pressure. Each unit has been assembled and packaged by SLB OneSubsea at its Horsøy location, near Bergen, Norway. Main suppliers include Framo, RadøyGruppen, LMI, Hitec, ABB, and Nexans.

The award follows the successful delivery of two subsea injection systems for the first phase of this project in 2023. Northern Lights is part of the world’s first open-source, full-scale value chain for CO₂ capture, transport, and storage services. Phase two will increase the current capacity from 1.5 million to a minimum of 5 million tonnes of CO₂ per year.

“Equinor’s enduring commitment to subsea standardization is now yielding substantial benefits across new offshore value chains, including CO₂ storage. By utilizing standardized components, we achieve reduced risk and economies of scale, which enhance both traditional and innovative subsea projects,” said Mads Hjelmeland, CEO of SLB OneSubsea. “The Northern Lights project is pivotal for Europe’s path toward net-zero emissions, and it is well aligned with our own strategy to expand the frontiers of subsea for a sustainable energy future.”

In May 2025, Northern Lights received confirmation that all the required permits are in place to start injecting and storing CO₂ in the Aurora CCS license in the North Sea. Phase one development of Northern Lights is completed, fully booked and ready to receive CO₂ from industrial customers. Operations are scheduled to begin in the second half of 2025.