Arctic Energy Transition

Snøhvit Future at Melkøya: Robust Air Handling Solutions for a Low-Emission LNG Facility

For the Snøhvit Future project in Hammerfest, six large ARVS316L air handling units were engineered and delivered in modular sections, ensuring reliable performance under extreme Arctic conditions while supporting the transition to lower-emission gas production.

Build in

2025

The Snøhvit Future project at Melkøya, near Hammerfest, is a key initiative to secure continued gas exports, economic growth, and long-term energy supply from Northern Norway, while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The project reinforces Norway’s position as a reliable supplier of low-emission natural gas to Europe well beyond 2050.

As part of this large-scale development, major upgrades are being implemented at the Hammerfest LNG facility, including onshore compression planned from 2029 and full electrification from 2030. These measures will enable more efficient operations and substantially lower CO₂ emissions from the plant.

Our Contribution

For this demanding Arctic project, we supplied six heavy-duty air handling units (AHUs) manufactured in ARVS 316L stainless steel, specifically designed for harsh offshore and coastal environments.

The scope included:

  • 6 custom-built AHUs, engineered for extreme durability

  • The largest unit reaching 7 meters in height

  • Modular construction, enabling transport in sections and efficient on-site assembly at Melkøya

  • Duty/standby fan configuration, ensuring maximum reliability and operational continuity

  • Corrosion-resistant materials suitable for salt-laden and cold Arctic conditions

These units are built to perform under the toughest environmental stresses, combining strength, reliability, and long service life. The modular delivery approach was essential due to logistical constraints and the remote location of the facility.

About the Snøhvit Field

Snøhvit (“Snow White”) is a subsea gas development in the Barents Sea, located approximately 140 km northwest of Hammerfest. It includes the Snøhvit, Albatross, and Askeladden fields and is Norway’s first fully subsea offshore gas project.

Discovered in 1984 and brought into production in 2007, the field contains substantial reserves of natural gas, condensate, and natural gas liquids (NGL). All production is remotely controlled from the LNG plant at Melkøya via a 143 km pipeline and advanced subsea infrastructure.

At the Melkøya facility, gas is processed and cooled to −163°C to produce liquefied natural gas (LNG) for export worldwide. The plant has an annual capacity of approximately 4.3 million tonnes of LNG, supported by specialized Arctic LNG carriers.

Supporting a Lower-Emission Future

The Snøhvit Future project represents a major step toward reducing emissions from LNG production. By electrifying operations and optimizing processing systems, the project will significantly cut CO₂ emissions while maintaining high production capacity.

Our air handling solutions play a vital role in ensuring safe, stable, and efficient operation of critical systems within this advanced facility.

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