Up for upgrade: Hammerfest LNG
StatoilHydro lines up Snohvit down-time
Norwegian operator SatoilHydro said today the Hammerfest LNG plant at Melkoya, which recieves gas from Snohvit, in northern Norway will be shut down on Saturday for up to three months for upgrading and maintenance work.
Since start-up in the autumn of 2007, upgrading and replacement of equipment has been carried out to increase the plant's production level.
“From February this year the plant has produced at around full capacity. To secure this level, the plant has to be made more robust,” said StatoilHydro in a statement.
"We estimate about 510,000 labour-hours in connection with the stoppage, including preparations and the finishing process," said turnaround manager at Hammerfest LNG Geir Hopland.
One of the big operations will be replacing 15 heat exchangers.
These are the very core of the process which cools the Snohvit gas into a liquid state, forming LNG.
During the shutdown – and before the mechanical work can begin – all gas must be removed from the plant.
Some flaring will therefore take place during the first day of the stoppage.
The plant is expected to resume production in November.