By the OGJ Online Staff
LONDON, May 10-- Norwegian state-owned oil and gas company Statoil AS Thursday announced a 3 billion kroner ($330 million) plan to boost compressor capacity on its workhorse Troll field in the Norwegian North Sea by using electric power from the mainland.
The scheme, which will ultimately employ four compressors to offset declining reservoir pressure at Troll, is scheduled to start in 2005-2006 at the field. Troll is responsible for around 35% of gas delivered from the Norwegian Continental Shelf to Europe.
Along with its field partners, operator Statoil decided that of the two options studied -- electric power transmitted from land to the Troll A platform or power generated by the field's own gas production -- the first option was the best solution "based on financial and environmental considerations."
Statoil noted that the solution opted for is a continuation of current operations at Troll A -- the only platform on the NCS powered by electricity.
The electricity-based scheme, to be submitted to the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy at the end of this year, calls for the addition of new power cables running from the mainland to field's A platform, along with the added compressors.
"Minor modifications to the terminal facilities at Kollsnes near Bergen will also be necessary," said Statoil.
