The TV company National Geographic Channel has included the Ormen Lange development in a series covering the world's most incredible constructions. The shooting of footage to describe Hydro's huge Ormen Lange project has now begun.
The "Megastructures" television series focuses on the world's most astounding constructions. Some are frequently-visited, major tourist attractions; others are the kind that most people can only dream of seeing. The TV programmes will shed light on the architecture, function, and underlying plans for these fantastic constructions.
The Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco, and the enormous, man-made Palm Islands of Dubai are among the massive constructions that are explored in the series. Viewers can also look forward to a programme on the Hoover Dam in the USA – and on the Ormen Lange development.
"We think it's tremendous that Norway is represented on the list of constructions we are showing," says Stine Eriksen, Public Relations manager for National Geographic Channel Norway.
"A subsea giant"
Those who are in charge face huge challenges on the monumental Ormen Lange gas field construction. Great sea depths, an unpredictable sea bed and powerful currents, combined with sub-zero temperatures, extreme wind conditions and enormous waves make Ormen Lange a complicated project. But having said this, there are possibilities of making a large profit. This makes the field an interesting topic for National Geographic Channel.
"Ormen Lange is a subsea giant, and has huge significance for the Norwegian oil and gas adventure story. This means that we are proud to be able to present the field to Norwegian and international viewers," Stine Eriksen comments.
Norway's largest
For Hydro and its partners, it will cost NOK 66 billion to develop the Ormen Lange field. When the gas stream is opened next year, through the world's longest subsea pipeline – from the processing plant in Aukra, in Møre and Romsdal municipality to Easington on the British coast – the Norwegian field will be able to supply 20 per cent of UK consumers' gas requirements.
"It is exciting that our development project receives massive attention of this kind, nationally and internationally. Last week Ormen Lange was in the spotlight at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, at the world's largest oil exhibition. A separate TV programme on Ormen Lange is already being broadcast on Discovery Channel, and now the prestigious National Geographic Channel has started its filming. This is good publicity both for Norway and Norwegian industry, and for Hydro along with its partners and suppliers. It reinforces the message that it is possible to think big and achieve a great deal in a small country," says Vegar Stokset, Hydro's Public Affairs Manager for the Ormen Lange project.