Norway: Gassco Studying Barents Sea Gas Pipeline Options

The development of a pipeline system for the transport of gas from the Barents Sea is an important decision for the future.

– Our task is to provide a sound base for making good technical and economical decisions for the companies that want their gas exported to the market. We are still in an early phase of the study and both technical solutions and volumes are still unsecure, says Thor Otto Lohne, Director of Business Development and Finance at Gassco.

A new pipeline is being discussed based on the analyses of both proven and potential resources in the northern areas. In an early phase of the study a variety of solutions are being considered.

Gassco is studying several alternatives and a pipeline based on the volumes in Snøhvit is one of the alternatives. In the study of this alternative Gassco has a close cooperation with Statoil, who is the operator of the Snøhvit license.

– Gassco also plans to study the possibility of a pipeline from the north in 2012, based on our mandate as architect of the infrastructure. Here we have a close cooperation with the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate and the licensees in the northern areas. The results of this study will be presented to the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, says Thor Otto Lohne.

Gassco is responsible for the development of the gas infrastructure. Work processes have been established in cooperation with other participants on the Norwegian continental shelf in order to secure a continuous improvement of the gas transport network and the efficient use of existing infrastructure, as well as suggestions to strengthening and expanding its capacity.

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Source:Gassco ,September 1, 2011;