By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, May 3 -- Statoil ASA and Aker Stord have signed a letter of intent for additional work and completion of the process barge for the Snøhvit project at the Hammerfest LNG plant on Melkøya island in northern Norway.
The 1 billion kroner contract is extended by 6 months to mid-2006.
Aker Stord, part of Norway's Aker Kværner engineering group, was awarded the contract initially in September 2003 to install the mechanical units on the barge.
Delays to the vessel being built at Spain's Dragados yard in Cadiz are the principal reason for work to be transferred to Norway.
The process barge will be shipped via a heavy-lift vessel in late June for installation in the dock at Melkøya at the end of July.
Statoil still plans to start LNG deliveries from the Hammerfest facility in late 2006. The Hammerfest LNG plant will process and liquefy gas from the Snøhvit field in the Barents Sea for export.