Gas production from the Ormen Lange field on the Norwegian continental shelf began at 11:02 CET on September 13. Completion of this breakthrough development will make Norway the world's second-largest exporter of natural gas.

At full production, Ormen Lange is expected to meet 20 percent of the UK’s requirements. Exports to the UK and the European continent will be moderate at first, and increase over the autumn.

"This is a historic milestone, not only for Hydro, but also for the license partners and the Norwegian industry as a whole. We are thrilled to be able to deliver gas from the Ormen Lange field to the UK and continental market, as planned," says Tom Røtjer, Hydro’s director for Ormen Lange and the Langeled pipeline.

"From now until the inaugural ceremony on October 6, we will be testing production. This may result in fluctuating volumes of gas flowing from the field," he adds.

10 years from discovery to start-up

The development and operation plans for the Ormen Lange field and the Langeled gas pipeline were approved unanimously by the Norwegian Parliament on April 2, 2004. Phase 1 of the development, involving the Langeled gas pipeline, the land-based process plant at Nyhamna and offshore installations on the Ormen Lange gas field itself, was completed within the total budget of NOK 50 billion (in 2003 Norwegian krone terms).