Norwegian pipeline gas exports could reach historic record

“This year we are in some ways back to the level of 2022,” when exports were last close to an all-time high, Gassco CEO Frode Leversund said in an interview with Reuters on the sidelines of an energy conference.

Following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and reduced supplies of Russian gas, Norway has become Europe’s largest gas supplier.

At the end of July, Norwegian gas pipelines totaled 70.2 billion cubic metres.³compared to 64 billion m³ for the same period last year, said Leversund. This is the first time that Gassco has stated cumulative delivery volumes for 2024.

The increase was due to strong demand from European customers, high system availability and less costly maintenance and modernization at the Kollsnes processing plant, the CEO added.

In 2023, Gassco delivered 109.1 billion m³ Gas through its 8800 km (5468 miles) pipeline network to Belgium, Great Britain, France, Germany and Denmark, a decrease of 6.7% from 116.9 billion m³ a year earlier.

A 10% increase for the full year could see deliveries surpass the record of 117.4 billion cubic metres.³ achieved in 2017.

“I will not say there will be an export record, but we will see numbers close to the highest deliveries we have had under current assumptions,” Leversund said.

About 95 percent of Norwegian gas exports are carried via pipelines, with a further 5 percent coming from liquefied natural gas outside the Gassco system.

From the end of August, the Norwegian gas network will enter its main maintenance season to ensure it is ready for crucial winter demand.

Given Norway’s dominant position as a supplier, unforeseen problems and delays can quickly lead to an increase in gas prices.

The safety of the Norwegian system has also come under closer scrutiny since the destruction of the Russian-German Nord Stream subsea gas pipelines in 2022, with Gassco regularly inspecting Norwegian pipes.

“We have carried out a comprehensive pipe inspection this year. However, I do not want to go into detail here about which pipes are involved and at which landing points they are located,” said Leversund.

On Monday, security services from seven European countries informed Norwegian energy executives and officials about what they see as a Russian threat to critical infrastructure.

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