Kårstø
The Kårstø processing plant in Nord-Rogaland plays a crucial role in the transportation and processing of gas and condensate from key areas on the Norwegian continental shelf.
The main objective of the Kårstø processing plant is to separate the mixed hydrocarbons that flow through the rich gas pipelines of Statpipe and Åsgard Transport.
Additionally, the Kårstø processing plant receives unstabilised condensate through a pipeline from the Sleipner area.
The gas mixture entering Kårstø is separated into the following products: methane, ethane, propane, isobutane, normal butane, natural gasoline (naphtha), and stabilised condensate.
The dry gas, consisting of methane and some ethane, is transported through the pipelines Statpipe and Europipe II.
Capacity at Kårstø
| ethane: | 112 tonnes per hour |
|---|---|
| propane: | 358 tonnes per hour |
| i-butane: | 76 tonnes per hour |
| n-butane: | 145 tonnes per hour |
| naphtha: | 106 tonnes per hour |
| condensate: | 351 tonnes per hour |
The first gas arrived at the facility on July 25, 1985, through the Statpipe pipeline from the Statfjord field. The first dry gas was sent from Kårstø to Emden, Germany on October 15 of the same year.
Wet gas products are transported from the processing plant by ships. The Kårstø facility is one of the world’s largest producers of LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas), and this LPG is exported to customers worldwide.
Propane is stored in two large underground caverns with a combined capacity of 250,000 square metres. Normal butaine, isobutane, naphtha, and stabilised condensate are stored in tanks.
Kårsø is primarily powered by fuel gas. Five out of nine compressors ar fueled by fuel gas, while the remaining four are electrically driven.
Milestones
| 10.06.1981 | The Storting approved the construction of the Statpipe transportation system and the gas processing area at Kårstø. |
|---|---|
| 25.07.1985 | The Kårstø plant was operational and the first gas was transported to the plant. |
| 01.05.1988 | K-Lab was operational. |
| 01.10.1993 | The Sleipner condensate facilty was operational. |
| 01.09.2000 | Ethane-facility was operational. |
| 01.10.2000 | Åsgard transport was operational. |
| 01.10.2000 | Åsgard-facility was operational. |
| 01.10.2003 | Mikkel-facility (NET 1) was operational. |
| 01.10.2005 | Kristin-facility (KEP 2005) was operational. |
The entire processing plant is controlled from the main control room. Using advanced computer systems and trained operators, the areas and processes are monitored and managed 24 hours a day. This includes comprehensive monitoring of all emissions, including flares.
Everyone working at the facility or needing access to the premises, for any reason, must adhere to strict safety regulations. These regulations are in line with the requirement set by Norwegian authorities for this type of operation. Safety measures are implemented to ensure the well-being of personnel and to comply with national safety standards.
Download safety and preparedness brochure here (pdf, only available in Norwegian).
Kårstøanlegget eies av Gassled, Gassco er operatør og Equinor er teknisk driftsansvarlig
Gassco
Bygnesveien 75, 4250 Kopervik
PO Box 93, 5501 Haugesund
Telephone: +47 52 81 25 00
Equinor
Nord-Rogaland Kårstø
PO Box 308, 5501 Haugesund
Telephone: +47 55 77 22 00
The Kårstø area
| Area: | 2080 acres |
|---|---|
| Facility: | 1080 acres |
| Caverns: | propane, 240.000 m2 |
| Tanks: | normal butane, 1 x 35.000 m3 og 2 x 20.000 m3 |
| isobutane, 1 x 35.000 m3 og 2 x 8.000 m3 | |
| naphtha, 2 x 17.000 m3 | |
| ethane, 1 x 25.000 m3 | |
| stabilised condensate, 2 x 60.000 m3 |