Statoil has signed an agreement with Aker Kværner Nederland for project planning in connection with upgrading of the Mongstad refinery near Bergen. This forms part of Statoil's Mongstad energy project (EVM) which includes the building of a combined heat and power station at the refinery.
Aker Kværner will also provide assistance to Statoil for procurement and follow-up at the building site. The contract is worth between NOK 100 million and NOK 150 million.
The plans for EVM include a new gas pipeline from the Troll Kollsnes complex north of Bergen to Mongstad.
The combined heat and power station will be built, owned and operated by the Danish company, Elsam.
Fuelled with surplus gas from the upgraded refinery and natural gas from the Troll field in the North Sea, the combined heat and power station will supply the refinery with power and heat, as well as delivering electricity to the Troll facilities on land and offshore.
With an energy efficiency rate of around 70 per cent, EVM will be a good project for the environment because it will contribute to reducing global emissions of carbon dioxide.
The estimated investment budget for the whole project is roughly NOK 4 billion, with the gas line between Troll Kollsnes and Mongstad accounting for about NOK 1 billion.
An application for permission to build the combined heat and power station and the pipeline, and a request for an amended emission permit for Mongstad have been submitted to the Norwegian authorities.
Statoil will take a final decision on executing the project once it receives permission and an emission licence.