Norpipe
| Company type | Joint venture |
|---|---|
| Industry | Oil and gas pipeline transport |
| Founded | 1975 |
| Headquarters | Norway / United Kingdom / Germany |
Area served | North Sea, United Kingdom, Germany |
| Products | Crude oil, natural gas |
| Owner | Norpipe Oil AS (ConocoPhillips Skandinavia AS 35.05%, TotalFinaElf Exploration Norge AS 34.93%, Statoil 18.5%, Eni Norge AS 6.52%, SDFI 5%) (oil pipeline) |
| Parent | Gassled (natural gas pipeline) |
Norpipe constitutes an underwater pipeline network in the North Sea designed to transport crude oil from the Norwegian Ekofisk and nearby fields to the United Kingdom, while simultaneously conveying natural gas to Germany.
Oil pipeline
The Norpipe oil conduit commences at the Ekofisk 2/4-J installation. It facilitates the transfer of oil from Ekofisk—including Cod, West Ekofisk, Tor, Albuskjell, Eldfisk, Edda, and Embla—as well as from Norwegian sites such as Valhall, Hod, Gyda, Ula, Tambar, and Oselvar. Additionally, it serves UK fields like Fulmar and Judy. A connection point for UK fields is situated approximately from Ekofisk. The pipeline terminates at the Teesside Refinery located in England.
Extending over , the pipeline has a diameter of . It is owned by Norpipe Oil AS, a joint venture comprising ConocoPhillips Skandinavia AS (35.05%), TotalFinaElf Exploration Norge AS (34.93%), Statoil (18.5%), Eni Norge AS (6.52%), and SDFI (5%). Operational control lies with ConocoPhillips Skandinavia AS. Since its commissioning in 1975, regulatory permissions allow its operation through to 2028. The booster pump platforms located in the UK sector were decommissioned by 2010 as part of the Ekofisk field shutdown activities.
Booster pumping stations
The specifications for Norpipe's booster stations were as follows:
| Designation | Norpipe 37/4A | Norpipe 36/22A |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from Ekofisk 2/4 J | 123 km | 235 km |
| Distance from Teesside | 231 km | 119 km |
| Water depth | 85 m | 81 m |
| Fabricated by | McDermott, Ardersier | UIE Cherbourg and St Wandrille |
| Total weight | 9,750 tonnes | |
| Installation year | 1974 | 1974 |
| Operational since | 14 October 1975 | 1975 |
| Drive system | 3 × GE (MS-3002J) 2-Stage axial gas turbines producing 11,800 / 14,400 hp | 3 × GE (MS-3002J) 2-Stage axial gas turbines producing 11,800 / 14,400 hp |
| Fuel type used | Diesel or crude oil | Diesel or crude oil |
| Pump units installed | 3 × Bingham single-stage centrifugal pumps | 3 × Bingham single-stage centrifugal pumps |
| Generators included | 3 × Bergen 640kVA diesel sets | 3 × Bergen 640kVA diesel sets |
| Pigging facilities provided | Yes | Yes |
| Accommodation capacity | Two-storey structure with 24 beds: 2 double cabins and 5 four-bed cabins | Three-storey structure with 31 beds: 1 single cabin, 9 double cabins, and 3 four-bed cabins |
| Crew complement | 10 personnel | |
| Firewater pump installation | Yes | Yes |
| Helideck supported | 'Super Puma' helicopters | 'Super Puma' helicopters |
| Utilities supplied | Telemetry, lubrication oil, chemicals, instrument and plant air, steam, potable water, cranes and lifting gear | 2 × B-E MK 60 cranes |
| Shutdown date | November 1981 | 1977 |
| Occupation ended | 1983 | 1983 |
| Pipeline bypassed | 1994 | 1994 |
| Topsides removed | 2009 | 2009 |
| Jacket removed | 2010 | 2010 |
UK fields linked to Norpipe
Numerous UK oil fields utilize the Norpipe system for exporting their production:
Ekofisk Platform 2/4 J Teesside terminal 354 km 34 1975 Judy Platform Norpipe UK Tee via Northern and Southern Wye — 24 1997 Joanne Subsea Judy 5.5 km 2 × 12-inch pipes 2002 Jasmine Platform Judy 6 miles (~9.7 km) 16 2013 Jade Platform Judy 17.3 km 16 2002 Stella Semi-submersible FPF-1 Southern Wye / Tanker 44 km 10 2016 Harrier Subsea Stella FPF-1 7 km — 2018 Fulmar Platform Southern Wye 15.5 km 24 1997 (previously used offshore tanker loading) Auk Platform Fulmar 12 km 8 1975 Auk North Subsea Fulmar 10.7 km 8 2011 Gannet Platform Fulmar 107 km 16 1992 Clyde Platform Fulmar 11 km 16 1986 Orion Subsea Clyde 16.3 km 10 1999 Flyndre Subsea Clyde 20 km 8 2017| Field | Installation | Production destination | Length | Diameter (inches) | Year commissioned |
|---|
This infrastructure enables streamlined exportation of North Sea hydrocarbons through Norpipe into the UK market.
Throughput
Between 1998 and 2021, annual oil output (measured in 1,000 tonnes) experienced a reduction from 7,619 in 1998 to 1,772 in 2021. By the conclusion of 2021, the terminal's cumulative oil throughput had reached 104.585 million tonnes.
Natural gas pipeline
The Norpipe natural gas pipeline, spanning 440 kilometers, links the Ekofisk field to a reception facility located in Emden, Germany. Featuring a diameter of 36 inches, this pipeline possesses an annual capacity of 16 billion cubic meters of natural gas. Commissioned in 1977, it is projected to remain operational until 2028. The initial capital expenditure amounted to 26.4 billion Norwegian krone. Ownership is held by Gassled, with Gassco responsible for operations and ConocoPhillips providing technical support.
On September 30, 1995, the German cargo vessel Reint collided with the Norpipe H7 platform situated on the German continental shelf. The incident resulted in minor damage and no casualties. The H7 platform was decommissioned in 1999, and in 2007 a bypass pipeline was constructed to circumvent it.
See also
External links
- Energy infrastructure completed in 1975
- North Sea energy
- Natural gas pipelines in Germany
- Natural gas pipelines in Norway
- Oil pipelines in Norway
- Oil pipelines in the United Kingdom
- Equinor
- ExxonMobil buildings and structures
- Shell plc
- ConocoPhillips
- Eni
- TotalEnergies
- Pipelines under the North Sea
- Norway–United Kingdom relations
- Energy infrastructure completed in 1977
- 1975 establishments in Norway
- 1977 establishments in Norway
- 1975 establishments in England
- 1977 establishments in West Germany