Norway: PIO for Polarled Gas Pipeline Submitted

The plan for installation and operation (PIO) of the Polarled gas pipeline on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) was formally submitted to the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy.

“This represents a crucial step for the long-term development of Norway’s gas resources,” says Brian Bjordal, chief executive of pipeline operator Gassco. The project was previously known as the Norwegian Sea gas infrastructure (NSGI) scheme.

Statoil presented the PIO on behalf of the partners in the Polarled development project. It also submitted a plan for development and operation (PDO) of the Aasta Hansteen discovery.

Due to run for 480 kilometres, the pipeline will tie Aasta Hansteen in the Norwegian Sea to the Nyhamna gas processing facility in north western Norway.

A separate link with the Kristin platform will tie the new infrastructure to the existing Åsgard Transport pipeline system from the Halten Bank.

Polarled will expand the existing gas transport network on the NCS and make provision for phasing in resources available in existing and future Norwegian Sea discoveries.

“We’ve been the architect for this solution on behalf of the licensees and the government,” says Bjordal. “It’s the best answer because it also takes account of potential production from undiscovered Norwegian Sea resources.”

Gassco was responsible for the Polarled project until the choice of concept on 21 December 2011. Statoil then took over leadership of the work on behalf of the partners until the investment decision was made.

In addition, Gassco has been responsible for leading the commercial process between the Polarled partners and the owners of affiliated facilities, and for operational preparations.

Facts about the Polarled development project:

• A pipeline for gas transport, including an expansion of the Nyhamna processing plant.
• Starts from Aasta Hansteen in a water depth of 1 300 metres, 300 kilometres west of Bodø.
• Runs for 480 kilometres to the processing plant at Nyhamna in western Norway.
• Diameter of 36 inches.
• Capacity will be up to 70 million standard cubic metres per day (MMscm/d) into Nyhamna.
• A 30-kilometre 18-inch spur to the Kristin platform will tie Polarled to the Åsgard Transport system.
• Preparations for tie-in of Linnorm (via Draugen), Zidane (via Heidrun) and potential spurs 60 and 173. kilometres south of Aasta Hansteen.
• Expansion and modification of the Nyhamna processing plant.
• Expected to become operational in late 2016.
• Partners: Statoil, Petoro, OMV, Shell, Total, RWE Dea, ConocoPhillips, Edison, Maersk Oil and GDF Suez.

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LNG World News Staff, January 09, 2013; Image: Statoil