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Technology company Linde Group - a specialist in the construction of LNG bunkering terminals - has been awarded a contract to build a natural gas terminal in the town of Emden, northern Germany. The deal is worth around EUR 260 million. The contract was awarded by Norwegian state-owned company Gassco AS on behalf of Gassled - a partnership that serves as the formal owner of Norway's gas transport infrastructure.

"Norway is one of Germany's most important energy suppliers. The new natural gas terminal is a key milestone in securing future supplies of Norwegian gas to Germany," explained Dr Aldo Belloni, Member of the Executive Board of Linde AG. "We have a wealth of experience in handling natural gas. This project enables us to further promote the use of this environmentally sound fossil fuel."

The new natural gas terminal will replace the 1977 Norsea Gas Terminal, which is currently being operated by Gassco. The facility will receive natural gas from Norwegian-owned gas fields in the North Sea.

The contract covers engineering, procurement and construction for the new terminal. The project is based on the front-end engineering design (FEED) provided by Gassco.

The initial work will be carried out by Linde Engineering at the group's site in Dresden. Construction is scheduled to start in Emden in the autumn of 2013.

Linde Group said the facility will be pre-assembled in modules 'to the greatest possible extent' and put together at the construction site. The new natural gas terminal is set to go on stream at the end of 2015.