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Statoil says it has looked favourably on fuel-saving vessels in the award of new contracts covering seven supply vessels and five ship owners with a total value of NOK 3.1 billion ($368.1 million), including options. All vessels are to be equipped for hybrid battery operation and shore power.

Together with her colleagues, Frida Eklof Monstad, head of Statoil's marine unit covering the company's logistics activities, has been working with ship owners to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

"Since 2011 we have reduced CO2 emissions from our vessel portfolio on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) by close to 30 percent, and together with the ship owners we want to further reduce our climate footprint. Vessels that can demonstrate low fuel consumption have therefore been successful in this award," Monstad said.

Four of the vessel contracts are for five years, with five one-year extension options. The ships are the Sjoberg, owned by Skansi Offshore; the Skandi Mongstad and the Slamdo Flora, both owned by DOF; and the Far Searcher, owned by Solstad Farstad.

Three of the contracts have a duration of three years, plus three one-year extension options. The vessels are the Juanita, owned by Ugland, and the Havila Foresight and Havila Charisma, both owned by Havila.

The seven supply vessels are due to operate from their supply bases at Mongstad, Dusavik, Floro and Kristiansund.

"The contracts will bring predictability to both the ship owners and Statoil, and will allow us to focus on optimising our operations to continuously improve operation, safety and energy efficiency," said Philippe F. Mathieu, senior vice president for joint operations support in Statoil.

Battery power

None of the vessels awarded contracts currently have a system for battery operation or shore power, but Statoil says the equipment will be installed.

The vessels are to be given the 'Battery Power Notation', which will allow them to achieve bunker savings while working in dynamic positioning alongside the installations.

"Based on our experience battery operation has a good impact on consumption and emissions, and we are pleased that all vessels awarded long-term contracts with us today will be equipped for battery power and shore power," Monstad said.

The Norwegian energy firm already has two battery-operated vessels on contract.