Natural gas consumption rises
According to the BP Statistical Review of World Energy, there is a sustained, worldwide rise in natural gas consumption, exceeding the growth of other fuels. Its current share of total primary energy consumption is 24%, rising globally throughout the past ten years.
Oil is still the dominant hydrocarbon energy source, but gas is seen as one of the fuels of the future. This reflects not only the ability of natural gas to compete directly on a cost basis, but also the growing recognition of its environmental strengths.
The developers of a natural gas reservoir are currently facing an increasing number of development alternatives. A few decades back in time, and up to recently in some regions of the world, natural gas has been considers as a waste product or a liability linked to the exploration of oil resources. In some regions the trend has been to flare off the gas not needed for immediate local needs, such as on-site power generation. This is not a long-term optimal solution from an environmental point of view.
2001 was a volatile year in the worlds energy markets, as a result of the economic downturn. Despite the volatility, however, markets continued to operate effectively, demonstrating the value of diverse sources of supply, particularly for oil and natural gas.
Analysed by region, energy demand was especially weak in the Americas and in most of Asia, but in Russian markets consumption rose for a third consecutive year as the nations economic recovery continued.
The Middle East was the fastest-growing gas production region, driven by the expansion of LNG exports from Qatar and Oman.
The Ormen Lange pipeline
DNV has been commissioned by the operator for the development phase, Norsk Hydro, to assist in qualifying development of the demanding Ormen Lange pipeline system on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.
The development concept involves some extreme technological challenges, due to large seabed irregularities and a steep 3035 degree slope caused by a prehistoric landslide down to a depth of 1,100 metres.
Some of the activities DNV is carrying out in the initial phase include a study of how the extensive trawling activity should be accounted for in case of interfacing with the pipeline, developing acceptance criteria for potentially long free spans, and recommendations of further optimisation of acceptance criteria. DNVs Standards for Submarine Pipeline Systems are being updated according to the demands of this project.
Date: 15 December 2002