StatoilHydro must take measures to reduce emissions at Snoehvit

The Norwegian Pollution Control Authority demands that StatoilHydro takes measures to cut emissions from the Melkoya gas plant on the Barents Sea coast. At the same time, the Norwegian oil and gas company increases staff in the project.
StatoilHydro has had major technical problems with the Melkoya plant and climate gas emissions have subsequently sky-rocketed. In the six months of production, the plant emitted 1,6 mm tons of CO2 which was more than 2 % of Norwegian emissions.

Now, the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority (SFT) demands that StatoilHydro takes measures to reduce the emissions. The company is requested to present an assessment on the issue before August. The environmental watchdog wants the energy company to apply technology on CO2 capture and storage.
The plant opened production in August 2007. Since then StatoilHydro has on several occasions been forced to close the plant for technical upgrades.

At the same time, the Norwegian energy company increases its staff in the Snoehvit project. The number of people working in the project will be increased to 280 this year.
Norwegian authorities are under pressure to cut CO2 emissions. The government intends to cut emissions by 30 % from 1990-levels by year 2020. Also several other companies engaged in the gas project intend to increase staff.