Norway Achieves July Gas Output Record

Norway broke its record for gas production in July, delivering 10.6bn m³ or 2bn m³ more than it did in June, and more than ever for the month, it said August 18. The figures were also higher than the forecast production from the month, an estimate that was made in December.

Norway has exceeded the forecast production every month and, with the exception of May, it has also exceeded or equalled last year's monthly output. Cumulative production this year is 68.7bn m³, up from 70.05bn m³ in the same seven months of last year.

Nearly all its gas output is exported to mainland Europe by pipeline, except for production from the Snohvit field, which is liquefied and sold worldwide. Of last year's 120.6bn m³ output, 114.6bn m³ were exported and 4.7bn m³ were used by energy companies; only about 1bn m³/yr was used within Norway, according to the national statistics office.

Russian gas monopoly Gazprom has also exported a record amount this year, and with the ceiling raised on the Opal line in late July, exports to Europe could grow further, depending on how much gas it ships through Ukraine as well as Nord Stream.

Norwegian gas production

Source: Norwegian Petroleum Directorate

William Powell