Ormen Lange in the spotlight at E-World

Hydro's development project for the Ormen Lange gas field was in the spotlight when the company took part in the big E-World Energy and Water trade fair in Essen, Germany this week.

“Ormen Lange is a project we are very proud of. It’s therefore very pleasing to see the  visiting public show such great interest in us,” says Vice President Kathrine Fog, head of Natural Gas in Markets.

The trade fair and associated conference has become the foremost European venue for the gas, power and renewable energy industries. More than 500 exhibitors took part in this year’s event, which ended on Thursday.

“E-World is an important venue. Germany is our biggest gas market, and here we get  the opportunity here of forging new contacts who may become our business partners in the future,” says Fog. 

Hydro currently sells gas to the UK and continental Europe. The bulk of the gas is sold to the Continent on long-term contracts, but as Ormen Lange comes on stream in October 2007 more and more of Hydro’s gas will be piped to the UK.

“Safe and environmental energy supply has of late become a major topic of political debate in Europe. We are therefore proud that Ormen Lange can supply the UK market with 20 percent of their future gas needs,” says Fog.

Hydro’s gas production is rapidly growing. In 2006 Hydro supplied NOK 10 billion cubic meters of gas and production will continue to grow in the coming years.

“Output has doubled since 2001, and when Ormen Lange hits plateau production in 2010 we will in less than ten years have trebled production from the fields in which Hydro has a stake,” says Fog.

Hydro is responsible for developing the Ormen Lange field in the Norwegian Sea, 120 km northwest of the Møre coastline in mid-Norway. The field is being developed under extreme conditions with seabed installations at depths of between 800 and 1100 meters.