Norwegian Pipelines

Overview of Norway’s Gas Pipeline System

Norway operates one of the world’s most extensive subsea gas pipeline networks, spanning 8,800 km (equivalent to the distance from Oslo to Bangkok) 15. The system transports ~120 billion cubic meters (bcm) of dry gas annually, supplying 30% of the EU’s and 25% of the UK’s gas imports 26.

Key features:

   • Integrated Network: Connects over 60 offshore fields to European markets via pipelines and onshore processing plants 2.
   • Ownership: Most infrastructure is owned by Gassled (a joint venture of oil companies) and operated by Gassco (state-owned) 16.
   • Regulation: Strictly governed by Norwegian authorities to ensure fair access and tariffs 1.

Major Gas Pipelines

A. Key Export Pipelines

   1. Langeled Pipeline
       ◦ Length: 1,166 km (world’s longest subsea pipeline until Nord Stream) 4.
       ◦ Route: Nyhamna (Norway) → Sleipner Riser → Easington (UK).
       ◦ Capacity: 25.5 bcm/year (20% of UK’s peak demand) 4.
       ◦ Diameter: 42–44 inches.
       ◦ Operator: Gassco; technical provider: Equinor 4.
   2. Europipe I & II
       ◦ Route: Draupner E/Kårstø → Dornum/Emden (Germany).
       ◦ Capacity: Combined ~30 bcm/year 2.
       ◦ Diameter: 40–42 inches 2.
   3. Norpipe Gas Pipeline
       ◦ Route: Ekofisk → Emden (Germany).
       ◦ Capacity: 16 bcm/year 7.
       ◦ Diameter: 36 inches 7.
   4. Polarled
       ◦ Route: Aasta Hansteen field → Nyhamna.
       ◦ Length: 482 km; Diameter: 36 inches 2.
       ◦ Significance: First pipeline to transport gas from the Norwegian Sea to Europe 6.

B. Other Notable Pipelines

   • Zeepipe: Connects Sleipner to Belgium (Zeebrugge) 2.
   • Franpipe: Draupner E → Dunkerque (France); 840 km, 42-inch diameter 2.
   • Vesterled: Heimdal → St. Fergus (UK); 361 km 2.

Onshore Processing Plants

Gas is processed at three key facilities before export:

   1. Nyhamna: Processes gas from Ormen Lange and Polarled fields; capacity: 70 MMcm/day 6.
   2. Kårstø: Separates dry gas (exported to Europe) and NGLs (shipped globally) 6.
   3. Kollsnes: Dehydrates and compresses gas for export via Sleipner/Draupner hubs 6.

4. Future Developments

   • Baltic Pipe: A 900-km pipeline (completed 2022) linking Norway to Poland via Denmark, diversifying export routes 6.
   • Hydrogen Projects: Proposals to repurpose pipelines for blue hydrogen (CO₂ capture) to meet EU decarbonization goals 6.

5. Governance and Operators

   • Gassco: State-owned operator managing the entire network 16.
   • Gassled: Joint venture owning pipelines/platforms (e.g., Petoro, Equinor, Shell) 6.

For interactive maps or specific pipeline data, refer to Gassco’s website 2.