Gas Pipeline From the Barents Sea Most Profitable

The gas transporter Gassco believes it is profitable for society with increased gas export from the Barents Sea and southward. That is stated in a report about the alternatives for gas transport that Gassco has presented to the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy.

In March, the ministry asked Gassco to identify the various main alternatives for increasing the gass transport capacity from the southern Barents Sea.

"Today's export capacity in the Barents Sea is limited to Hammerfest LNG. Without increased export capacity, other gas sources will be closed off for a long time. The Barents Sea is the sea area in which there is the most expectation for undiscovered gas resources and the lack of available export capacities is affecting the companies' interest in looking for gas. A profitable increase of the gas transport capacity from the Barents Sea could be a key factor in the further development of the Barents Sea as petroleum province," says Minister for Petroleum and Energy Terje Aasland (Labor) in a press release.

Gassco has assessed various technical solutions for increasing the gas export capacity out of the Barents Sea, as well as increase in the LNG export capacity at Hammerfest LNG, export of blue ammonia and a new gas facility and gas pipeline down to the Norwegian Sea for further transport through the existing gas pipeline grid. 

Gassco's findings shows that the establishment of a gas pipeline from the Barents Sea appears to be the most profitable for society out of the various alternatives that have been assessed. The establishment of a gas pipeline also appears to be the best area solution, i.e. the export solution that gives the best capacity and flexibility for phasing in any additional resources. 

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