The partners in the gas and condensate fields of Snøhvit, Askeladd and Albatross in the Barents Sea are about to submit an impact analysis to the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy.
The Snøhvit project is planning a liquefaction plant at Melkøya in northern Norway. (Illustration: Jan Ulriksen)
The impact analysis is part of the plan for development and operation (PDO) of the fields. It describes the development in relation to the natural environment and the community. According to Bjørn Fossan, who is responsible for the assessment, a series of consultations and meetings have been held with the affected parties, to reach solutions that will protect all interests and requirements in the best possible way.
Development has not yet been decided by the licence but the intention is to submit a PDO this summer. It would then be possible to start development in 2002 and production could begin in 2006. The estimated production period is 30 years.
The licensees propose to develop the fields with seabed installations controlled from a landfall and shipment plant located at Melkøya near Hammerfest in the north of Norway. Plans call for a gas liquefaction plant to be built at that site. Gas from the three fields will be cooled and converted into liquefied natural gas (LNG) before being shipped out to customers on specially-designed vessels.
The impact analysis will be sent to all relevant parties for comments.