Following a successful feasibility study, Nogat, the North Sea pipeline operator, is taking the next steps in developing the first direct gas connection between Norway and the Netherlands. During this stage, key aspects of the connection, including its transport capacity, will be refined.
Norway currently transports gas to the Netherlands through the connection between the United Kingdom, Germany, and Belgium via the Northwest European pipeline network. Then, through the onshore network, the gas is transported to the rest of the European countries. The new direct link between Norway and the Netherlands would mean that the gas would still be secured even in the event of, for example, the existing pipeline failing.
The pipeline is scheduled to start working in 2029 and is set to have the capacity of over 4 billion cubic meters of gas per year, which is approximately 15 percent of the total Dutch gas demand.
“Due to declining domestic energy production and growing dependence on geopolitically unstable countries, it is important to invest in future energy infrastructure in a timely manner,” Nogat spokeswoman told ANP.
Nogat, short for Northern Offshore Gas Transportation, manages and operates gas infrastructure in the North Sea. It is also responsible for transporting natural gas to the Dutch coast.
The gas system that Nogat runs can be connected to the Norwegian underwater pipeline relatively easily, the organization said. “One-third of all our Eropean gas imports come from the Norwegian North Sea. That is less polluting than LNG imports and makes us less dependent on, for example, America or the Middle East,” Nogat Director Falco van Wissen said.
The parties involved will reportedly decide in the middle of next year on the appropriate investments still needed. Nogat’s shareholders include state-owned shareholders Energie Beheer Nederland and pension fund manager PGGM.
