Denmark's Largest Gas Field Reopens After 5 Years

After an extensive renovation, Denmark's Tyra gas field, located 225 kilometres offshore, has resumed operations. TotalEnergies, the field's operator, expressed excitement about this milestone. "This is a Super League project, marking a significant achievement," says Michael Lindholm Pihl Larsen, technical project manager at TotalEnergies.

The reopening of Tyra will reverse the current gas flow dynamics. Previously, Denmark relied on gas imports from Germany, but now Danish gas will be exported to its southern neighbour. Green Power Denmark, an organisation advocating for green energy, acknowledges the challenges of completely phasing out gas. In this context, they consider domestically sourced gas preferable to imports from Russia or North America. In collaboration with Energinet, Green Power Denmark has facilitated the export of Danish gas to Germany.  Energinet has secured an agreement with Gasunie of Germany to increase gas flow through the pipeline.

Tyra's Impact: Significant but Limited

When fully operational, the Tyra field has the capacity to produce 2.8 billion cubic meters of gas annually, surpassing Denmark's domestic needs. "Tyra's output, combined with our biogas production, makes us more than self-sufficient," says Kristian Rune Poulsen.

While Tyra's gas represents less than 1% of Europe's total consumption, its contribution is still valued.  Brian Vad Mathiesen, professor of energy planning at Aalborg University, notes: "Unfortunately, it's a small amount considering Europe's supply needs. However, it positively impacts Denmark's finances and helps reduce reliance on Russian gas."

A Reminder Amidst Progress

In response to the 2022 energy crisis, Denmark's parliament mandated a phase-out of gas. Brian Vad Mathiesen highlights the progress made: "Denmark's gas consumption has dropped by 30%, with a similar trend in Europe. Tyra allows us to export gas while increasing biogas production. By further reducing gas consumption in heating and industry, we could rely solely on biogas, eliminating the need for imports."

While Tyra's reopening benefits Denmark financially, the climate crisis remains a pressing concern. Brian Vad Mathiesen stresses: "We must not become complacent. We need to continue expanding district heating and electrifying industries to address climate change."