Published on 03/23/2006

There is an extensive network of subsea oil pipelines linking offshore platforms with onshore terminals. The 765,000-bbl/d Oseberg Transport System (OTS) connects the Oseberg field with the Stura receiving terminal. Operated by Norsk Hydro, OTS also carries crude oil from fields in the vicinity of Oseberg, which connect to the OTS through auxiliary lines.

Norway is an important supplier of gasoline and diesel fuel

Norsk Hydro also operates the 265,000-bbl/d Grane pipeline, linking its Grane field to Stura. Statoil operates the twin Troll I/II pipeline system; the 265,000-bbl/d Troll I connects the Troll B platform to the receiving terminal at Mongstad, while the 300,000-bbl/d Troll II connects the Troll C platform to Mongstad.

There are numerous, smaller pipelines that connect North Sea fields to either the OTS or Troll I/II systems, with the remaining offshore production brought ashore via shuttle tanker.

ConocoPhillipps operates the 900,000-bbl/d Norpipe, which connects Norwegian oil fields in the Ekofisk system to the oil terminal and refinery at Teesside, England.

According to OGJ, Norway had 310,000 bbl/d of crude oil refining capacity in 2005. The country has two major refining facilities: the 110,000-bbl/d Slagen plant, operated by ExxonMobil, and the 200,000-bbl/d Mongstad, operated by Statoil. Norway produces more petroleum products than it consumes, with surpluses exported to Europe.

In particular, Norway is an important supplier of gasoline and diesel fuel to the EU, as the production of these fuels at the Mongstad plant complies with stringent EU environmental rules. Statoil dominates the retail products market in Norway, and the company has also expanded aggressively into other European markets.

Source: Energy Information Administration