Regularity and uncertainty analysis and management for the Norwegian gas processing and transportation system

The project will contribute to increase the efficiency of Norwegian transportation systems for natural gas, by developing theory and tools both for dynamic planning and configuration of the network, future infrastructure investments, as well as decisions related to ageing, maintenance and other operational aspects. The research will contribute to fill the substantial gap that exists between the capability of the present methods and tools, and the future needs created from liberalization and integration of the European energy markets. During the next 15 years there will be investments for several 100 milliard NOK on the continental shelf and in the Barents Sea. Much of these resources will be put in the transportation systems or technology related to tran sportation. If this project contributes to a few percentages increased gas export or increased regularity, the value will be in order of milliards of NOK over the next 30 years. The new methods and tools provide a basis for helping the Norwegian nationa l authorities and individual gas suppliers to increase the performance of both individual production units as well as common infrastructure and improve capitalisation of both developed and undeveloped gas resources. Suppliers operating on the Norwegian Co ntinental Shelf has a potential for strengthening their market position as a result of increased regularity and increased export volumes, while reducing investment levels and operating costs. The project is based on a collaboration between NTNU/SINTEF, U niversity of Bergen, University of Stavanger/IRIS, and the industrial partners Gassco, Statoil and CognIT. These universities and research institutions provide competence on the key building blocks of the planned research, and supplemented with industry r esearchers and several international recognised experts, a strong multi-disciplinary research group is defined. The multi-disciplinary approach is considered essential to meeting the principle project objectives.