An engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to build a new gas receiving facility in Emden has been awarded to Linde Engineering Dresden GmbH by Gassco on behalf of the Gassled joint venture.

Due to begin regular operation in December 2015, the terminal forms part of the Gassco Emden Project (GEP) and will replace the existing Norsea Gas Terminal. The latter began operating in the German port in 1977, belongs to Gassled and is operated by Gassco.

Worth some NOK 2 billion and running for about 2.5 years, the contract has been awarded after an international tendering process among prequalified companies. The best bid has been selected on the basis of an overall evaluation.

“Our main aim is to ensure safe and efficient project execution, and we’re confident that we can achieve this together with the chosen contractor,” says Gassco chief executive Brian Bjordal.

Facts
The new facility will replace the existing Norsea Gas Terminal (NGT), which became operational in 1977 in connection with the development of Norway’s Ekofisk field in the North Sea. A substantial proportion of the Norwegian gas delivered to Germany is currently received by the NGT through the Norpipe pipeline.
Construction of the replacement terminal will start in the autumn of 2013 on vacant land within the existing Emden terminal area. While the project will not increase Norway’s gas export capacity, the new facility’s functionality will be well tailored to future needs for receiving gas from fields in the Ekofisk area and other parts of the Norwegian continental shelf. The new terminal in Emden will accordingly help to safeguard deliveries of Norwegian gas to Germany in a long-term perspective.