Danish energy transmission network operator Energinet.dk is investigating gas supply alternatives in case of the closure of the Tyra platform in the North Sea, after Danish group Maersk Oil announced in April 2016 that the Tyra gas fields would stop production on 1 October 2018 if no economically viable solution for continued operations is identified during 2016.
More than 90% of Denmark’s gas production is processed through the Tyra facilities and smaller facilities are also connected to Tyra East and West, including the neighbouring unmanned facility. Denmark has already expanded its gas system to Germany (Egtved-German border pipeline commissioned in 2013 enabling Denmark to import gas from Germany) to secure a second source of supply. There are several opportunities for expanding the gas transmission network, toward Norway or a Baltic Pipe solution to Poland; however, the existing pipeline system toward Germany and the underground gas storage facilities can cover the customers’ current gas needs.
According to Energinet.dk, it may be necessary to expand the gas transmission network after 2020, partly because the decline in gas supply from the North Sea, and partly to ensure the future gas supply.