Equinor has entered into a landmark agreement with UK-based energy company Centrica to supply natural gas to the United Kingdom over the next decade. The deal, valued at approximately £20 billion ($27.11 billion), will deliver 55 terawatt-hours (TWh) of natural gas annually—equivalent to around five billion cubic meters (bcm)—beginning Oct. 1, 2025. The gas will be priced according to market conditions at the time of delivery.

This new contract reinforces a long-standing relationship between Equinor and the UK that began in 2005. It also significantly enhances the UK’s energy security by securing stable supplies from Norway, one of the country’s key energy partners. According to Equinor, the volume covered by the agreement will account for nearly 10% of the UK’s total natural gas demand each year.

“I am very pleased to strengthen the energy partnership with the UK and our long-standing partner and customer Centrica,” said Anders Opedal, Equinor’s president and CEO. “This agreement will continue to support the UK’s energy security with reliable gas supplies from the Norwegian Continental Shelf. The flexibility that natural gas offers will play a key role in enabling further development of renewable power and decarbonization in the UK.”

The UK remains heavily dependent on imported gas to meet its energy needs. In 2024, 66.2% of the country's gas requirements were met through imports, with Norway providing approximately 50.2% of those imports. This marks a notable increase from 2022, when around one-third of UK gas imports originated from Norway. The latest agreement not only cements Norway's role as a principal gas supplier but also supports the UK’s broader energy resilience goals.

In a forward-looking component, the contract includes a provision for transitioning from natural gas to hydrogen as market conditions and infrastructure evolve. This supports both countries’ ambitions to advance the development of hydrogen as a clean energy source and aligns with the UK’s net-zero targets.

“The UK and the North Sea is a core area in our long-term ambitions to remain a supplier of reliable energy and to help decarbonize societies and industries,” said Alex Grant, Equinor’s UK country manager. “The new gas sales agreement with Centrica will be a key element in this. Energy security and decarbonization must go hand in hand, and I am proud that Equinor is actively delivering both.”

The deal comes as Equinor continues to expand its upstream activities in the region. In March, the company began production at the Halten East field in the Norwegian Sea. Operated by Equinor Energy, which holds a 69.5% interest, the project is developed in partnership with Vår Energi (24.6%) and Petoro (5.9%).

This strategic agreement not only strengthens UK-Norway energy ties but also ensures a dependable and flexible source of energy as the UK navigates its transition toward a low-carbon future.