Norway gas export hits record in December; full-year drops 6.7%

Norway in 2022 overtook Russia as Europe's biggest source of gas as Moscow cut supplies amid the war in Ukraine, increasing the focus on the security and reliability of the Norwegian energy industry. In total, Gassco delivered 109.1 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas through its 8,800-kilometre (5468-mile) pipeline network in 2023, down from 116.9 bcm a year prior, it told Reuters.

Norway's export of natural gas via pipelines to Europe hit an all-time high in December but still declined by 6.7% overall in 2023 following lengthy maintenance outages, pipeline system operator Gassco told Reuters on Wednesday.

"December was a fantastic month when it comes to production from the Norwegian continental shelf," Alfred Skaar Hansen, Gassco's senior vice president for system operation told Reuters. Norway in 2022 overtook Russia as Europe's biggest source of gas as Moscow cut supplies amid the war in Ukraine, increasing the focus on the

security and reliability of the Norwegian energy industry.

In total, Gassco delivered 109.1 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas through its 8,800-kilometre (5468-mile) pipeline network in 2023, down from 116.9 bcm a year prior, it told Reuters. The full-year volume for 2023 had not previously been reported.