The Russian natural gas giant, Novatek,is considering using Norwegian ports to relocate natural gas, and the mayor of southern Varanger is hoping for a ‘yes’ from the Kremlin.
“This is not decided on the border, this is in the Kremlin, maybe at Putin’s desk. It may come to a decision within a few weeks,’’ said mayor Rune Rafaelsen of Arbeiderpartiet (AP) to Klassekampen newspaper.
He hopes the project will get a clear signal and create more jobs in the community.
According to the newspaper, Novatek is building its second landfill natural gas plant on the Jamal,peninsula, far east of the Russian Arctic, scheduled to be completed in November this year. The company therefore sees opportunities for reloading the gas from specially designed tankers to regular tankers, which will carry the gas further south to Europe.
Together with the Norwegian company, Norterminal,according to Klassekampen, Novatek has investigated the possibility of reloading in Norwegian waters, and two of three possible transhipment areas are located in the fjord, in the branch in the sea outside Kirkenes,the third near Honningsvåg.
Raphaelsen emphasised that it is still uncertain whether the project will commence, though he believes in the industrial potential locally.
“You don’t get it in Oslo, but there are great opportunities in the north,” he said.
© NTB scanpix / #Norway Today
