Balticconnector

Balticconnector
Location
Country Finland
Estonia
General direction north–south–north
From Ingå, Finland
Passes through Gulf of Finland
To Paldiski, Estonia
General information
Type natural gas
Partners Elering
Baltic Connector OY
Expected 2020
Technical information
Length 151 km (94 mi)
Maximum discharge 2 billion cubic metres per annum (71×10^9 cu ft/a)
Diameter 20 in (508 mm)
No. of compressor stations 2

Balticconnector is a bi-directional natural gas pipeline under construction between Ingå, Finland and Paldiski, Estonia. It will connect Estonian and Finnish gas grids and assists ensuring security of gas supply in the region for both sides of the Gulf of Finland. The pipeline will provide for Finland an access to the Latvia's natural gas storage in Inčukalns. In addition, the pipeline will enable construction of the regional liquefied natural gas terminal.[1]

History

The project was proposed by the Finnish natural gas company Gasum in cooperation with Eesti Gaas of Estonia. After implementation of the EU third energy package, EG Võrguteenus, a former subsidiary of Eesti Gaas, replaced the latter.[2] Later EG Võrguteenus was acquired by, and became a part of the Estonian transmission system operator Elering.[3]

In October 2015, Gasum abandoned the project due to commercial viability.[4] It was replaced by the Finnish state-owned company Baltic Connector OY.[5]

The feasibility study was completed in May 2007. A preliminary environmental impact assessment programme was done in 2010. In 2010, the European Commission financed the investigation of possibilities to create more diversified natural gas grid within the Baltic Sea Region, which included also the Balticconnector project.[1] The seabed studies started in November 2013.[6][7]

The construction agreement was signed between Elering and Baltic Connector on 17 October 2016.[8] The cornerstone of the pipeline was laid on 8 June 2018 in Ingå. The ceremony was attended by Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure of Estonia Kadri Simson, Minister of the Environment and Energy of Finland Kimmo Tiilikainen, European Commission member Jyrki Katainen and the managers of Elering and Baltic Connector Oy.[9]

Technical description

The project consist 77 kilometres (48 mi) of a bi-directional offshore pipeline between Ingå in Finland and Paldiski in Estonia, 21 kilometres (13 mi) of onshore pipeline in Finland between Ingå and Siuntio, 55 kilometres (34 mi) of onshore pipeline in Estonia between Paldiski and Kiili, and metering and compressor stations in Ingå and in Kersalu, Estonia.[8][9] The offshore part will be operated jointly by Elering and Baltic Connector, while on-shore sections of the pipeline will be developed separately by each party.[8] Originally, there was also a proposal for alternative 140-kilometre (87 mi) long route from Vuosaari (district of Helsinki] to Paldiski.[10]

The offshore section and the Finnish onshore section will use DN500 pipe with an operating pressure of 80 bars (8,000 kPa). The Estonian onshore section will use DN700 pipe with an operating pressure of 55 bars (5,500 kPa). In Estonia the pipeline will be connected to the existing DN700 transmission pipeline from Latvia, which will be enhanced.[11] The capacity of pipeline will be 2 billion cubic metres per annum (71 billion cubic feet per annum). It would cost €300 million, of which 206 million is financed by the European Commission.[9] It would be operational by 2020.[9]

Onshore section in Estonia will be built by EG Ehitus AS, a subsidiary of Eesti Gaas, and the offshore section will be built by Allseas.[9]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 BEMIP Gas Regional Investment Plan 2012–2021 (PDF) (Report). ENTSOG. pp. 14, 21, 68, 71. Retrieved 2014-01-24.
  2. ↑ "Gasum plans Estonian connection". The Baltic Times. 2013-11-27. Retrieved 2014-01-24.
  3. ↑ "TSO Elering signs merger with subsidiaries". The Baltic Course. 2015-12-16. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
  4. ↑ "Gasum Dumps Balticconnector Plan". Subsea World News. 2015-10-06. Retrieved 2015-11-24.
  5. ↑ "Elering with its Finnish partner submits grant application to EU Commission". The Baltic Course. 2015-10-15. Retrieved 2015-11-24.
  6. ↑ "Balticconnector Seabed Studies Under Way". ERR. 2013-11-20. Retrieved 2014-01-24.
  7. ↑ "Balticconnector gas pipeline sea bottom studies start in Estonia". The Baltic Course. 2013-11-20. Retrieved 2014-01-24.
  8. 1 2 3 "Elering, Baltic Connector OY sign agreement to build gas interconnection". ERR. BNS. 2016-10-17. Retrieved 2016-10-19.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 "Cornerstone for Balticconnector gas pipeline laid on Friday". ERR. BNS. 2018-06-08. Retrieved 2018-06-10.
  10. ↑ "Balticconnector Executive Summary" (PDF). Gasum. February 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-24. Retrieved 2011-05-15.
  11. ↑ "European Commission grants Estonia, Finland €187.5 million for gas pipeline". ERR. BNS. 2016-07-15. Retrieved 2016-10-19.
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