On 20 December 2022, Equinor, on behalf of the Snøhvit partnership, Equinor submitted the plan for development and operation (PDO) for Snøhvit Future to the Minister of Petroleum and Energy. On 8 August 2023, Norwegian authorities announced that the project had been approved. As of March 2026, the project is well over halfway completed and there is high activity at all locations. The start-up of onshore compression is planned for 2029 and the transition to electric operation is scheduled for 2030.
Extending lifespan, jobs, and ripple effects
Snøhvit Future will strengthen Norway's position as a reliable and long-term supplier of natural gas produced with very low greenhouse gas emissions. The project contributes to secure jobs in Hammerfest and energy supply to Europe beyond 2050.
During the development phase, Snøhvit Future will generate significant ripple effects both in Finnmark and the rest of the country. More than 70% of the value creation is expected to go to Norwegian companies, representing a value of NOK 14.5 billion. More than a third of this will go to Northern Norway, primarily Finnmark. Regional employment during the project period is estimated at close to 2,000 person-years, of which around 1,700 will be local. At the national level, the project is expected to generate approximately 8,800 person-years.
Hammerfest LNG is a central enterprise in the region with up to 500 employees, 38 apprentices, and between 150-200 contractors/suppliers. Including ripple effects, Hammerfest LNG contributes 1,450 person-years in total. The partnership in the Snøhvit licence is committed to ensuring that Hammerfest LNG remains competitive and viable even in a low-carbon society, enabling us to keep these important jobs.
Significant emission reductions
Norway is to halve CO2 emissions from the production of oil and gas on the Norwegian continental shelf by 2030 (compared with 2005). This is essential for Norway to meet its commitments under the Paris Agreement. The electrification of Hammerfest LNG is the largest single emission-reducing measure for Norway to achieve its climate goals. By replacing the power from the current gas turbines with power from the mainland, we will cut the annual CO2 emissions by 850,000 tonnes, equivalent to two percent of Norway's annual emissions.
