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§ 61b Energy efficiency

The operator shall assess and, if technically feasible and not incurring unreasonable costs, take measures to reduce energy consumption by reducing energy demand, optimizing own energy production and increasing utilization of surplus energy.
Section last changed: 01 January 2018

The operator must obtain a permit from the Norwegian Environmental Agency for petroleum activities under Chapter 3 of the Pollution Control Act (in Norwegian only). Application for permit under the Pollution Control Act is subject to Chapter 36 of the Pollution Control Regulations (in Norwegian only), and a fee is fixed for the Environmental Agency’s processing relating to applications for permits pursuant to Chapter 39 of the Pollution Control Regulations (in Norwegian only).
The regulations’ general requirements for the petroleum activities on the continental shelf apply to all operators. The permits under the Pollution Control Act will normally contain conditions that are specific and adapted to each activity. Chapter 36 of the Pollution Control Regulations (in Norwegian only) gives further provisions on the processing of permits under the Pollution Control Act. The Norwegian Environment Agency has described further expectations for the content of applications and expected processing time in the Guidelines for applications regarding offshore petroleum activities: https://www.miljodirektoratet.no/ansvarsomrader/forurensning/petroleum/for-naringsliv/soknadsveileder-petroleum/. Chapter 39 of the Pollution Control Regulations (in Norwegian only) gives provisions for fees for work with permits.
For nye innretninger innebærer kravet at produksjonsanleggene og energianleggene skal være utformet med sikte på å oppnå så energieffektiv produksjon og drift som mulig gjennom hele feltets levetid. For eksisterende innretninger innebærer kravet at det fortløpende skal vurderes tiltak for å bedre energieffektiviteten. Eksempler på tiltak er kraftsamkjøring, økt utnyttelse av overskuddsenergi, bruk av løsninger som fungerer effektivt også ved endringer i produksjonsvolum, driftsoptimalisering og redusert fakling. NORSOK S-003 gir veiledning for energieffektiv utforming og drift av prosesser og energianlegg.