Gassco Supports Barents Sea Pipeline for Norwegian Gas

A new report from Norwegian-based Gassco has said that a pipeline through the Barents Sea could strengthen Norway's position in the gas market in Europe.

Presenting the report to the Minister of Oil and Energy Ola Borten Moe, who commissioned the information, Gassco said the proposed NOK 30 billion (approximately €3.9 billion) pipeline could be ready to transport gas by 2020.

The 1000 kilometre pipeline would only be feasible if demand for gas came from Europe, Minister Moe was reported as saying after the presentation.

"If Europe does not give a clear signal that it wants significant supplies of Norwegian gas over the next generation, then it is not inevitable that we will invest large sums in a new gas pipeline," Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten reports him as saying.

Currently, the minister said, Norway found the transport of liquefied natural gas to Japan quite profitable and likely to be more flexible than a pipeline.