The decision to install a new export compressor at the Kollsnes gas processing plant north of Bergen has been taken by Statoil and the other Gassled partners at the request of the Troll licensees.
This unit will expand the plant’s daily gas export capacity from roughly 120 million standard cubic metres to 143 million in October 2006.
”The extra compressor is important for our plans to win a larger share of gas sales to the UK,” says Øyvind Kirkhus, manager for new infrastructure in Statoil’s Natural Gas business area.
Like the five similar compressors already in operation at Kollsnes, the new unit will be powered by electricity from the ordinary grid.
It was resolved earlier this year to expand capacity in the gas export pipelines running from Kollsnes to the Sleipner and Draupner riser platforms.
The decision was also taken to lay a new pipeline from Nyhamna in mid-Norway via Sleipner Riser to Easington in the UK to carry gas from the Ormen Lange field in the Norwegian Sea when the field comes on stream in 2007.
Due to be operational in 2006, the Sleipner Riser-Easington leg of this new Langeled line will be able to carry additional gas volumes from Kollsnes to the UK.
The main contract for constructing the new compressor, worth some NOK 400 million, has been awarded to Dutch company Fluor Daniel BV.
Norway’s Reinertsen AS will be a substantial sub-contractor, providing such services as engineering, site works, pipework and construction.
Work at Kollsnes is due to start on 1 May next year, with completion scheduled for 1 October 2006. Just under 200 people will be employed at peak, including Gassco and Statoil personnel.
As operator for Gassled-owned Kollsnes, Gassco has overall responsibility for the project. Statoil will be responsible as technical service provider for its practical execution.