(Adds quotes, background)
OSLO, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Equinor's Melkoeya
liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in Norway could remain closed
until October 2021 as extensive repairs are carried out
following a fire last month, the company said on Monday.
The plant, also known as Hammerfest LNG, had previously been
scheduled to reopen on Jan. 1.
"In addition to damages caused by the fire on the air intake
on one of the plant's five power turbines, large amounts of
seawater from the extinguishing have damaged other auxiliary
systems such as electrical equipment and cables in the plant,"
Equinor said in a statement.
"It is the scope of work of these consequential damages that
are considered the most extensive and the duration of the
shutdown will depend on the delivery time of necessary
equipment," Equinor said.
Progress will also be affected by restrictions related to
the coronavirus pandemic, the company added.
Norwegian police and the country's Petroleum Safety
Authority are both investigating the fire, with Equinor also
conducting its own study.
(Reporting by Terje Solsvik, editing by Gwladys Fouche)