Norway exported gas equivalent to nine times annual hydropower production.
Norwegian exports of gas increased by 3.3 per cent in 2022, reports Reuters
Measured in terms of energy quantity, Norwegian natural gas equivalent to nine times Norway’s annual hydropower production was delivered in 2022. The increase is greatest for Germany, which has received 11 percent more natural gas from Norway in 2022, compared to last year, writes Gassco on its website.
– The year 2022 has clearly shown how important Norwegian natural gas is and will be as a reliable energy carrier for Europe. We usually deliver less gas in the summer months than in the winter months, but in 2022 we will have almost had winter deliveries all year round, says CEO Frode Leversund of Gassco.
Norway has been by far Europe’s largest supplier of natural gas through a troubled 2022.
– The production of Norwegian gas is absolutely crucial to meeting Europe’s energy needs, says Leversund.
Largest increase to Germany
The export of Norwegian natural gas in pipes to Europe ended at 116.9 BCM (billion cubic meters of natural gas) in 2022, close to the record year 2017 (117.4 BCM). The increase is greatest for Germany, which received 54.8 billion cubic meters of gas last year. The amount of energy corresponds to more than four times annual Norwegian hydropower production and is an increase of as much as 11 per cent, compared to 2021.
The opening of the Baltic Pipe at the end of the year now also links Poland directly to the existing gas pipeline between Norway and the continent.
Exports have increased to both Germany, Denmark, France and Belgium, but exports to Great Britain have decreased by 11.7 per cent in 2022 compared to 2021.
Exploration activity
In 2022, exploration activity was slightly lower compared to 2021. 34 exploration wells were started and 11 discoveries were made on the Norwegian continental shelf. The discoveries have a preliminary total estimate of 46 million standard cubic meters of recoverable oil equivalents. In the last three years, most oil and somewhat less gas have been found.
German-Norwegian hydrogen cooperation
Norway and Germany have entered into a collaboration on a feasibility study for a hydrogen value chain. Part of what is being considered is pipeline transport of hydrogen from Norway to Germany. The aim is for the study to be completed in the summer of 2023. If a basis is found for such a value chain, start-up could come in 2030, reports Gassco.