Norwegian group Equinor has announced the extension of the maintenance shutdown of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Hammerfest, located on Melkoeya Island, until August 3. This facility is currently the largest LNG export infrastructure in Europe, with an annual production capacity of 6.5 billion cubic metres of gas, according to information provided in the latest regulatory filing.
Extension of maintenance at Hammerfest
The resumption of production, initially scheduled for July 19, had already been postponed once to July 29. Equinor confirmed through regulatory channels a further five-day extension. No specific reasons were given for this delay, nor any details on the exact nature of the ongoing maintenance operations. The terminal, which was taken offline on April 22 for maintenance, remains out of service, temporarily impacting Norwegian LNG exports.
Impact on European supply
The Hammerfest site represents around 5% of total Norwegian gas exports, a volume sufficient to supply nearly 6.5 million households in Europe each year. The plant receives its gas from the Snoehvit field, located 143 kilometres offshore in the Barents Sea. Equinor holds a significant stake in the facility, alongside TotalEnergies and Vaar Energi.
Terminal operations and outlook
Maintenance operations at the Hammerfest LNG terminal are closely monitored by European gas sector stakeholders, amid volatile supply conditions. The plant occupies a central position in Norway’s export strategy, contributing to the diversification of energy flows to the continent. An Equinor spokesperson declined to comment further on the extension of the closure.
The volumes produced by the Melkoeya plant remain essential for the balance of the regional gas market, while the postponement of the restart continues to draw the attention of markets and energy operators.
