Project partners have initiated the pre-FEED phase for Project Nornet, a new subsea pipeline connecting Norwegian gas infrastructure directly to the Dutch Nogat system. The infrastructure aims to supply over four billion cubic meters annually, slated for a final investment decision in mid-2027 and operations by 2029.
Project Nornet
A planned subsea pipeline expansion is moving forward on the floor of the North Sea, aiming to establish the first direct gas corridor between Norway and the Netherlands. Project partners behind the initiative have formally initiated the pre-FEED (Front-End Engineering and Design) phase for the Nornet project following a successful feasibility study. NOGAT, together with project partners, has started the pre-FEED phase (Front-End Engineering and Design) of project NORNET, which could realize a direct connection between the Norwegian and Dutch gas infrastructure in the North Sea. Following a successful feasibility study, this marks an important step in further investigating the technical, economic, and operational aspects of the connection and starting the permitting process. With a relatively limited expansion, the Dutch Nogat system can be connected to the Norwegian gas infrastructure via the A6-F3 pipeline. This creates both the first direct gas connection between Norway and the Netherlands and an additional European import route via Den Helder. This increases security of supply, strengthens strategic resilience, and lowers system costs in the Netherlands and Northwest Europe. The Dutch Nogat system can be connected to the Norwegian gas infrastructure via a subsea pipeline with a relatively limited expansion. Nogat, the manager and operator of a pipeline system on the floor of the North Sea, is taking a next step in the development of the first direct gas connection between the Netherlands and Norway. Nogat, in full Northern Offshore Gas Transportation, manages and operates gas infrastructure in the North Sea and transports natural gas to the Dutch coast. The engineering push will evaluate technical, economic, and operational frameworks required to link the existing Dutch Nogat pipeline system to Norwegian offshore infrastructure via the A6-F3 pipeline. Alongside securing a new import route making landfall near Den Helder, the undertaking seeks to reinforce structural energy security and lower operating costs across Northwest Europe. Natural gas via pipelines currently enters the Netherlands, for example, from Germany or Belgium. Capacity, Emissions, and the Role of Pipeline Gas
Once operational, the direct transit corridor is projected to deliver upwards of four billion cubic meters of natural gas each year. The new connection has a capacity of over 4 billion cubic meters of gas per year. This corresponds to approximately 15% of the total Dutch gas demand and even 30% of the amount of high-calorific gas that the Dutch industry is expected to continue needing in the long term. The new connection between the Netherlands and Norway has a capacity of over four billion cubic meters of gas per year. This corresponds to about fifteen percent of the total Dutch gas demand. Just like Dutch gas from the North Sea, the Norwegian gas supplied via this connection has a 30 to 50% lower CO₂ footprint than imported LNG. Moreover, in the long term, this infrastructure offers opportunities for large-scale international transport of hydrogen between the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Denmark, and the United Kingdom. The reuse of existing pipelines can contribute to a faster energy transition at lower costs and with less environmental impact.
Falco van Wissen
Falco van Wissen, Managing Director NOGAT
Falco van Wissen, Managing Director NOGAT: ‘A third of all our European gas imports come from the Norwegian North Sea; this is less polluting than LNG imports and makes us less dependent on, for example, America or the Middle East. With the start of the pre-FEED phase, we are taking a concrete next step in the development of the new Norwegian connection. With this, we make the energy supply in the Netherlands and Northwest Europe more robust and flexible.’ Director Falco van Wissen explained that a third of all our European gas imports come from the Norwegian North Sea, noting that this is less polluting than LNG imports and makes us less dependent on the likes of America or the Middle East.
Engineering Challenges and Cross-Border Permitting
The pre-FEED phase focuses on further developing selected technical concepts and operational principles, such as the intended transport capacity of the connection and the configuration of the offshore infrastructure. The project is now entering a new phase following a successful feasibility study, during which, for example, the intended transport capacity of the connection will be further elaborated. Other technical and economic aspects of the connection are also being further investigated.
Additionally, the permitting process in Germany is being started, as the connection to German waters will take place. Nogat is also starting the permitting process. This takes place in Germany, as the connection will be in German waters. ‘Therefore, further coordination with private and public parties in the Netherlands, Norway, and Germany is essential,’ reports the initiator. ‘This project phase lays the foundation for both a successful FEED and realization phase. During this step, risks are mitigated and a clear insight is gained into the required budget and possible technical or operational challenges.’ In the coming period, more clarity must also emerge regarding the required budget and possible technical and operational challenges.
NOGAT B.V.
Timeline and Financial Stakeholders
The project team intends to make an investment decision in mid-2027 and to be operational in 2029. The involved parties want to make an investment decision by the middle of next year.
NOGAT B.V. (Northern Offshore Gas Transport) has managed and operated offshore gas infrastructure in the North Sea for over 30 years and transports natural gas to the Dutch coast. The Nogat system connects producers and infrastructure in, among others, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany with the Dutch gas grid and thus with the Northwest European energy markets. The shareholders in NOGAT B.V. are Energie Beheer Nederland (EBN), pension provider PGGM, Eni, and Spirit Energy. Among the shareholders of Nogat are state-owned company Energie Beheer Nederland and pension provider PGGM.
