OSLO, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Norway has reached a deal with

seven private owners for a government takeover of much of the

country's extensive gas pipeline network from 2024 onwards, the

Norwegian energy ministry said on Tuesday.

Norway in 2023 announced plans to nationalise most of its

vast gas pipeline network, a major processing plant and other

infrastructure when many existing concessions expire in 2028,

and had invited current owners to negotiate a transition.

The government agreed to pay the seven owners 18.1 billion

crowns ($1.64 billion) for their assets.

Norway is Europe's largest gas supplier following a

sharp fall in Russian deliveries triggered by Moscow's

full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The Nordic country's centre-left government regards the

pipeline network stretching some 9,000 km (5,600 miles) along

the seabed as an asset of national interest over which it wants

complete state ownership.

While seven companies came to an agreement with the

government, two groups rejected the offer.

($1 = 11.0660 Norwegian crowns)