The land section of the Vestprosess pipeline which will carry condensate between three west Norwegian oil facilities has been completed.
Work on the 12-kilometre line through Øygarden local authority near Bergen began last November, and has been completed on schedule and to budget. It was carried out jointly by Spie Capag and AF Spesialprosjekt.
The pipeline crosses the two-kilometre-wide Straum Sound, where the landfall on the northern side required the drilling of a 290-metre shaft to a depth of 50 metres below water.
To minimise environmental intrusion, 180 metres of the pipeline has also been laid through a ridge.
"Drilling took longer and presented greater challenges than expected, while trenching and laying of the line were very straightforward," says project manager Ove Sembsmoen.
The whole pipeline has been partly trenched. Construction roads are due to be removed by October, with new vegetation planted.
"We place great emphasis on restoring the special landscape found in Øygarden," says Mr Sembsmoen.
He adds that cooperation with all central, regional and local government bodies has been good throughout the planning and implementation phases.
The 43.5-kilometre submarine section of Vestprosess, which runs from Norsk Hydro's Sture crude oil terminal to Statoil's corresponding facility at Mongstad, is due to be laid during the summer.
This job has been awarded to Swiss pipelayer Allseas Contractors, and will be carried out with the Lorelay laybarge.
The whole pipeline is due to be ready to start carrying condensate to Mongstad on 1 October.