The NPD (Norwegian Petroleum Directorate) has granted start-up consents for the Edvard Greig oil pipeline and the Utsira high gas pipeline.
Both of these transport solutions will become part of the Edvard Greig and Ivar Aasen fields on the Utsira High in the North Sea.
The oil transport system includes a 94-kilometre long 16-inch pipeline from the Edvard Greig platform and a new Y-connection point, which has been installed on the Grane oil pipeline about four kilometres away.
This, in turn, is connected to the Scottish Area Gas Evacuation (SAGE) pipeline in the UK sector.
The Edvard Grieg field is planned to start-up in 2015 while the planned start-up of Ivar Aasen is scheduled for next year.
Ivar Aasen will use both pipeline systems.
The licensees for the two transport systems are the same as for Edvard Grieg and Ivar Aasen.
Statoil has been the operator of both transport systems since the PIO (Plan for Installation and Operation) was approved in 2014.
Gassco will take over as operator of the Utsira High gas pipeline when it comes on stream.