Hammerfest LNG Closed up to 12 Months for Repairs

Equinor said in a statement today the Hammerfest LNG plant in Norway could remain closed until the fall of 2021. Repairs are currently be being implemented following a fire last month.

Surveys of the damage after the fire at Hammerfest LNG on 28 September indicated that the LNG plant will be closed for up to 12 months for repairs. In addition to damage caused by the fire on the air intake on one of the plant's five power turbines, large amounts of seawater from the extinguishing of the fire have damaged other systems such as electrical equipment and cables in the plant according to Equinor.  The final duration of the shutdown will depend on the delivery time of necessary equipment as well as current restrictions related to the Covid 19 virus.

"Safety is the first priority and we will not start the plant until we are sure that it can be done in a safe way. Therefore, we have worked systematically and thoroughly to survey the damage after the fire, and assess the technical condition of the plant," said plant director Andreas Sandvik.

Equinor, as well as the Petroleum Safety Authority and the police have started independent investigations of the fire. Hammerfest LNG has a capacity to process approximately 18 million cubic meters (mcm) of gas per day.