Norway asks parliament for permission to develop sea gas

The Norwegian government asked parliament to approve the second-largest natural gas development ever proposed in Norwegian waters and a pipeline to transport the fuel. The project is expected to cost NOK 65.9 mm ($ 9.34 bn), the oil ministry said.
The field is expected to export 700 bn cf of natural gas per year, which is equivalent to the entire annual energy consumption in this Nordic country of 4.5 mm.

The Ormen Lange field in the Norwegian Sea is the country's second-largest field, after the enormous Troll offshore field. Its development is expected to cost NOK 46.5 bn. The proposal also includes development of a NOK 19.4 bn pipeline system, to be called Langeled, that would carry natural gas to Britain.
Oil minister Einar Steensnaes told lawmakers the project would "strengthen Norway's position as one of the main suppliers of gas to Europe."

Parliament was expected to approve the project by the end of April. The Norwegian Norsk Hydro group is responsible for developing both the field and the pipeline.
Norway is the world's third-largest oil exporter, after Saudi Arabia and Russia. It is also a major natural gas producer, exporting almost all gas production to Europe.