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Statoil, Conoco Dedicate Giant Norwegian Methanol Plant

July 14, 1997

Norway's Den norske stats oljeselskap AS (Statoil) and Conoco Inc. have dedicated a $1 billion methanol plant at Tjeldbergodden, Norway, providing a customer for about 22 bcf/year of associated gas production from giant Heidrun field off Norway. One of the world's largest methanol plants, the complex's capacity of about 6 million bbl/year equates to 15% of Europe's annual consumption. All plant output for 1997-98 has been sold. The complex includes a methanol plant, an air

One of the world's largest methanol plants, the complex's capacity of about 6 million bbl/year equates to 15% of Europe's annual consumption.

All plant output for 1997-98 has been sold.

The complex includes a methanol plant, an air separation unit, an associated pipeline system and receiving terminal for gas from Heidrun field off central Norway.

The field, originally developed by Conoco beginning in 1995 and currently operated by Statoil, produces about 240,000 b/d of crude oil. Associated gas is transported to the plant via a 16-in., 155-mile pipeline.

The plant converts natural gas to synthesis gas, then to raw methanol through a catalytic process before distillation into finished methanol. Next to the methanol plant is Scandinavia's largest air separation plant, capable of producing pure oxygen, nitrogen, and argon.

Conoco owns 18.125% of the methanol plant, Heidrun field, and the Haltenpipe pipeline to shore and 11.88% of the air separation plant. Statoil is development operator for the methanol complex.