The Norwegian Ministry of the Environment says that an offshore development of the Goliat oil field production is the most environmental friendly solution, according to Norwegian news agency ANB. It is the amount of energy consumption and the danger of acute pollution which is the most important factors for the ministry.
An onshore solution would have demanded 60 percent more energy than what an offshore development would do. Then, the oil would have to be pumped to the onshore plant and this pipeline would also have to be heated.
Field operator ENI is planning a rig where produced oil is reloaded directly to shuttle tankers offshore. Also the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority supports the offshore solution as the best choice.
