The Snøhvit partnership, represented by Equinor, has once again turned to Aibel for a major Hammerfest LNG modification deal related to the Snøhvit Future project, which is awaiting government approval. Aibel has secured the EPCI contract which includes the engineering, procurement, construction and installation of two new processing modules related to onshore compression and electrification of the Melkøya plant. They will also build a new power receiving station from the coast and carry out integration tasks at the plant.
In September 2020, Aibel was awarded the FEED contract for the project, which included an EPCI option that has now been exercised. The company has been one of the main suppliers of the facility since its launch in 2007.
“They know the plant well, have set up a local department in Hammerfest and have solid experience from other major plant modification projects while they are in operation. So I have high expectations that they will do a good job safely. This contract will have an effect important locally, regionally and nationally,” said Mette H. Ottøy, Equinor’s director of purchasing.
Aibel will also carry out further upgrades to existing systems at Hammerfest LNG to make the plant more resilient for an extended service life up to 2050.
This year and next, Aibel will award several major contracts to its subcontractors for work at the plant and facilitate the use of local suppliers in various phases of the project, including construction. Engineering/design work begins immediately, according to Equinor’s statement.
Aibel will carry out large and complex modifications to Hammerfest LNG. They will also build larger modules in their yards and most of the work will be done in 2024-2026.
The largest project in Melkøya since the Snøhvit Future plant became operational is the on-line compression and electrification of Hammerfest LNG in Melkøya. As the pressure drops in the reservoirs, compression is required to ensure sufficient gas flow to the plant.
The project will expand the plateau’s production and ensure high gas exports, jobs and ripple effects also after 2030, while reducing the plant’s CO2 emissions by 850,000 tonnes per year, which corresponds to 2% of total emissions from Norway. The Norwegian parliament has decided to reduce Norwegian emissions by 55% by 2030.
NOK 13.2 billion ($1.3 billion) will be invested in the Snøhvit Future project, ensuring continued operation of the plant around 2050.
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