New and more precise knowledge acquired by operator Gassco about friction and capacity in Norway’s gas pipelines will permit greater deliveries to Europe through the network.

This increase builds on the results of a study carried out by Gassco in cooperation with the Polytec research foundation and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).

By enhancing knowledge of the relationship between friction and capacity, the work improves pipeline throughput and utilisation of Norway’s gas resources.

“We have already been able to expand capacity in the Zeepipe I and Franpipe lines by 0.5 to one per cent,” explains Leif Idar Langelandsvik in Gassco’s technology department. “On the basis of the results from our friction study, we’ve now made even more pipeline capacity available for sale to the customers.”

The capacity increases in Zeepipe and Franpipe facilitate an expansion of up to 0,5 billion standard cubic metres (bcm) in annual gas exports. Capacity in the Langeled South and Europipe II lines will most probably expand in future as a result of Gassco’s research findings. That corresponds to an additional annual rise of up to one bcm.

Mr Langelandsvik is completing a PhD thesis on ways to optimise Norway’s gas pipeline system and is very pleased at the substantial benefits provided by the project. “We had indications that our earlier model was a little imprecise, and that turned out to be the case,” he explains.

“Through more exact knowledge of the frictional forces operating between the gas and the pipeline wall, we can make better use of our capacity.”

The starting point for the work was a desire to create a new and more updated calculation model for wall friction in pipelines. When the level of friction between pipeline and gas is known, so is the speed at which the gas moves and accordingly how much can be transported. Calculations backed by both operational data from real pipelines and laboratory trials have thereby become much more precise.

The new expertise has helped to reduce uncertainty about capacity in the gas pipelines, and thereby makes Gassco much better equipped to predict and optimise flow rates. “Good models are essential for optimum pipeline operation,” observes Mr Langelandsvik. “We work constantly in Gassco to improve and exploit our resources in an optimum way. “That means we challenge today’s technology and models, and will be a spearhead in developing the best solutions.”

The project and Mr Langelandsvik’s PhD studies have been financed by Gassco, the Research Council of Norway and Polytec.

Tags: Gassco