Eni Norge to link Goliat to shore
Eni Norge is applying for concession to enable the construction and operation of an electric cable link between mainland Norway and the production facility installed on the Goliat field in the Barents Sea, with associated new electrical substation and distribution grid upgrades on land. These operations will impact on Hammerfest Municipality in Finnmark. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which forms part of the concession application, contains an assessment of the effects on the environment, species and habitats, and an evaluation of mitigating measures.
Eni Norge has prepared an application for concession and environmental impact assessment based on the assessment programme stipulated by the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE). The application and the EIA will be submitted for consultation and, among a number of initiatives forming part of this process, a public meeting will be held in Hammerfest. The aim is to complete processing of the licence application during the spring of 2010.Electrification of Goliat will be based on power supplied from the mainland via a 100 km-long subsea cable, combined with a gas turbine-driven generator incorporating thermal recycling installed on the Goliat facility itself. Compared to a system involving no electrification, the selected option will contribute to an approx. 50 % reduction in CO2 emissions.
Eni Norge and Hammerfest Energi Nett have signed a letter of intent concerning work on the mainland linked to electrification of the Goliat field.
The Goliat field is planned to be developed using an offshore floating production facility. The facility will be linked to subsea wells and be equipped for the processing, storage and offloading of oil, and the reinjection of gas. The Norwegian Parliament is expected to debate the Goliat development project during the 2nd quarter of 2009. Goliat is planned to start production during the 4th quarter of 2013.
The licensees in Production Licence 229/229B are: Eni Norge AS (Operator, 65 %) and StatoilHydro Petroleum AS (35 %).
