“Our expertise relates to virtually all the activities which collectively form the value chain for Norwegian gas exports. We manage an overall system which incorporates over 30 gas exporters from more than 50 fields.”
Frode Leversund. CEO. (Photo: Øyvind Sætre)
That is how CEO Frode Leversund sums up Gassco’s contribution to strengthening the competitive position of Norwegian gas as an energy source in continental Europe and the UK.
In its action plan for energy security, the European Commission has described Norway as Europe’s most reliable energy supplier. Gassco bears its share of the credit for that status.
“Security of supply and reliability are key concepts for us, and concern the number of hours in the day that the transport system is available to deliver gas from the fields,” Leversund explains.
“Our system operation people must handle 500-700 incidents large and small during a year with just one goal in mind: none of these should have any consequences for the exporters or their customers. Figures for up-time show we’re very good at this.”
The competitiveness of Norwegian gas also requires a good performance for HSE, both by Gassco as the operator and by the companies which run facilities on its behalf.
“Our plants and installations must be operated safely,” Leversund affirms. “Huge quantities of energy flow through this system, and we’re not going to have gas going astray.
“Risk-reduction measures accordingly occupy a key place. We deal with risk from field to terminal, and offset it with measures based on our expertise. As in every aspect of our business, HSE is a matter of learning across our company and from others.
“At the same time, enhancing the competitiveness of Norwegian gas means we need to operate more efficiently and at lower cost. All the players must pull together here as well. We must get unit costs down and simultaneously achieve climate gains.
“To succeed, we’ve got to be able to look far ahead. As a company, we must renew ourselves through new learning and always think long-term. That’s the social
perspective. The alternative in the longer term is lower utilisation of capacity in the transport system and cut-backs. Nobody’s served by such a development.”
Capacity in Norway’s gas transport system has vastly increased since it first became operational in the 1970s. In many cases, expanding today’s export volume would require big investments.
But finding intelligent solutions can still make such expansion possible without spending billions of kroner, Leversund emphasises.
“A study at our Kårstø facility found that process capacity could be increased by several million standard cubic metres of gas per day through minor modifications at minimal cost. The success factor here was both our own expertise and that of Statoil as technical service provider at the plant.
