Subject to certain conditions, the approval secures the future operation of Snøhvit natural gas field in the Norwegian Sea and the Hammerfest LNG plant located on the island of Melkøya. Operating since 2007, the Hammerfest LNG plant contributes 5% of Norway’s total gas exports.
Equinor projects, drilling and procurement executive vice president Geir Tungesvik said: “The Snøhvit owners are pleased that the government has now approved Snøhvit Future, a project that will strengthen Norway’s position as a reliable, long-term supplier of gas produced with very low greenhouse gas emissions.