Norwegian pipeline gas exports down 6% on year to 107 Bcm in 2019: Gassco

London — Norwegian pipeline natural gas exports fell for a second straight year in 2019 by over 6% from 2018, data released by operator Gassco showed Friday.

Gassco transported a total of 106.99 Bcm to the UK and Continental Europe in 2019, slipping further behind the record high of 117.54 Bcm in 2017, the data showed.

The reduction in pipeline gas exports was down to "extensive planned maintenance work," especially during the summer months, when pipeline gas exports dropped back to multi-year lows for a calendar month.

"The availability for delivery of gas to the transport system in 2019 was more than 99%" Gassco said.

According to data from S&P Global Platts Analytics, the UK received 24% of Norwegian pipeline gas exports in 2019, down on the 28% received in 2018.

On Thursday, the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate said it expected Norwegian gas production to come in at 117 Bcm in 2020, citing the lower price environment as a secondary factor in the production fall.

-- Gary Hornby, gary.hornby@spglobal.com

-- Edited by Jonathan Dart, jonathan.dart@spglobal.com