Wikipedia

Balticconnector

For the subsea pipeline between Denmark and Poland, see Baltic Pipe. For the cancelled subsea pipeline between Germany, Denmark and Sweden, see Baltic Gas Interconnector.

Balticconnector is a bi-directional natural gas pipeline between Ingå, Finland and Paldiski, Estonia operated by Gasgrid Finland and Elering. It connects the Estonian and Finnish gas grids, and provides Finland with access to the Inčukalns underground gas storage facility in Latvia.[1][2]

Balticconnector
Map
Map of Balticconnector
Location
CountryFinland
Estonia
General directionnorth–south–north
FromIngå, Finland (offshore Section)
Passes throughGulf of Finland
ToPaldiski, Estonia (offshore Section)
General information
Typenatural gas
PartnersElering
Baltic Connector OY
OperatorGasgrid Finland and Elering
Manufacturer of pipesCorinth Pipeworks Pipe Industry SA
Installer of pipesAllseas
Pipe layerLorelay
Construction started8 June 2018
Commissioned11 December 2019
Technical information
Length151 km (94 mi)
Maximum discharge2.6 billion cubic metres per annum (92×10^9 cu ft/a)
Diameter500–700 mm (20–28 in)
No. of compressor stations2

The subsea pipeline and a nearby data cable were damaged in October 2023. The pipeline was repaired and began operation again after six months. The Chinese authorities reported that the anchor of the Hong Kong-flagged ship NewNew Polar Bear was responsible for breaking the pipeline.[3] The Chinese authorities concluded it was an accident, while "both the Estonian and Finnish inquiries are ongoing."[4]

Technical description

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The project consists of 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, and 55 kilometres (34 mi) of onshore pipeline in Estonia between Paldiski and Kiili.[5][6][7] There are also metering and compressor stations in Ingå and in Kersalu, Estonia.[5][6] The offshore part is operated jointly by Elering and Baltic Connector, while onshore sections of the pipeline will be developed separately by each party.[5] Originally, there was also a proposal for alternative 140-kilometre (87 mi) long route from Vuosaari (district of Helsinki) to Paldiski.[8]

The offshore section and the Finnish onshore section use 500 millimetres (20 in) pipes with an operating pressure of 80 bars (8,000 kPa). The Estonian onshore section uses a 700-millimetre (28 in) pipe with an operating pressure of 55 bars (5,500 kPa). In Estonia the pipeline is connected to the existing 700-millimetre (28 in) transmission pipeline from Latvia, which will be enhanced.[9] The initial capacity of pipeline is 0.9 billion cubic metres per annum (32 billion cubic feet per annum). Later, it will increase up to 2.6 billion cubic metres per annum (92 billion cubic feet per annum). The pipeline cost €300 million, of which 206 million were financed by the European Commission.[6]

Onshore section in Estonia was built by EG Ehitus AS, a subsidiary of Eesti Gaas, and the offshore section was built by Allseas.[6] The offshore pipeline was laid by the pipe-laying vessel Lorelay.[10] Pipes were supplied by Corinth Pipeworks Pipe Industry S.A., Greece.[11]

History

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The project was proposed originally 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.[12] Later EG Võrguteenus was acquired by, and became a part of the Estonian transmission system operator Elering.[13] In October 2015, Gasum abandoned the project due to commercial viability.[14] It was replaced by the Finnish state-owned company Baltic Connector OY.[15]

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.[12][16][17]

The construction agreement was signed between Elering and Baltic Connector on 17 October 2016.[5] 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.[6] Laying the offshore pipeline started on 20 May 2019 and was completed on 24 June 2019.[18][10] Shielding of the offshore section were completed by 12 July 2019.[19]

The onshore section in Estonia was filled with gas on 23 October 2019 and the offshore section was filled with gas on 27 November 2019.[7] The pipeline was inaugurated on 11 December 2019 by ceremonies in Helsinki and Paldiski. The ceremonies were attended by presidents of Estonia and Finland Kersti Kaljulaid and Sauli Niinistö, ministers of economy Taavi Aas and Mika Lintilä, Deputy Director-General of European Commission Energy Directorate Klaus-Dieter Borchardt and the managers of Elering and Baltic Connector Oy.[20]

Balticconnector started commercial operations on 1 January 2020. During the first month of operation it supplied over a third of Finnish gas demand, 885 GWh. By comparison, the domestic Estonian consumption was 565 GWh.[21]

After the commissioning of a gas interconnection between Poland and Lithuania in 2022, Estonia and (via the Balticconnector) Finland have been connected to the Polish and internal EU gas markets,[22] and vice versa; Estonia received LNG shipments via Inkoo LNG terminal in May 2023.[23]

In the wake of the February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the northeastern European states decided to sanction the Russian Federation and their gas supply. Past supply to the Balticconnector was from Russia but from 2023 LSEG data showed the shipping terminals at Klaipėda and Ingå favoured gas from the United States and Norway.[2][23] In June 2024 the EU officially sanctioned Russian LNG supply in their 14th package.[24]

2023 damage incident

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Newnew Polar Bear (previously Baltic Fulmar) is suspected of damaging the undersea infrastructure.

As of 2023, the pipeline was transporting 30 GWh/day from Finland to Estonia. On 8 October 2023, around 02:00 local time, the two operating companies Gasgrid Finland and Elering (Estonia) noticed a sudden drop in pressure in the line, from 34.5 bar to 12 bar, and then to 6 bar.[25] The operators closed the valves to stop the flow. They later discovered a leak caused by a damaged pipe in the sea.[26] The EE-S1 telecoms cable, near the pipeline, was also damaged.[27]

On 10 October 2023, the Finnish government announced that the damage to the pipeline may have been deliberate and caused by "external activity".[27] The leak is being investigated by the Finnish Border Guard and the Finnish Security Intelligence Service.[26] Norwegian seismological institute NORSAR reported that it detected a "probable explosion" 40 km north of Paldiski (roughly where Balticconnector and Nord Stream intersect) on the 8 October at 01:20 local time.[28][27] A few days later investigators stated the damage "appears to have been mechanical, not an explosion".[29]

On 11 October 2023, an Estonian Navy commander stated that Finnish images of the damage showed the pipeline's concrete cover had been broken off and the pipeline was badly damaged on one side and out of position. A Finnish member of the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats suggested that one possibility was that a ship's anchor had dragged over the pipeline. Five large ships had been near the pipeline shortly before the incident.[29] Finland's National Bureau of Investigations opened an investigation into the potential "intentional damaging" of the pipeline by the Chinese vessel in response.[30]

 
Underwater damage photographed in October 2023.

On 21 October 2023, Finnish authorities reported that the Chinese ship Newnew Polar Bear was in the area at the time of the incident and that the role of this ship is being investigated.[31] On 24 October 2023, it was reported that Finnish authorities had observed gouges in the seabed starting on one side of the pipeline and ending the other side, near where they found a damaged ship's anchor, missing much of one fluke. The anchor was recovered; the NewNew Polar Bear is reported to be missing an anchor.[32]

During the outage, gas supply to the Finnish gas network is based on the FSRU Exemplar, a floating regasification plant with a capacity of 40 TWh/year moored at the port of Inkoo.[2][33] Gas can also be supplied from the LNG terminal in Hamina at 6 GWh/day[25] and from biogas plants. The pipeline operators state that repairs will take at least five months, with an earliest projected restart in April 2024.[34] On 27 October Estonian PM Kaja Kallas aired her suspicions of foul play.[35]

The offshore pipeline repair project was led by Norwegian energy major Equinor, on behalf of operators Gasgrid Finland and Estonian electricity transmission grid operator Elering.[36] The pipeline resumed commercial operation after repairs were completed on 22 April 2024.[37][38][39]

On 12 August 2024 the Chinese government admitted the incident was the fault of NewNew Shipping Line "by accident" caused by "a strong storm". Estonian investigating authorities had submitted a request to the Chinese government "to gather evidence from the vessel and its crew" but this request had still to be permitted.[3]

Reactions

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Estonia's president, Alar Karis, demanded answers on how the incident could have taken place, stating, "We know that the cause is not nature, but probably human activity. Who, why and how? Negligence or intent? These questions have yet to be answered."[30]

In Finland, the government suggested that "everything indicates" that the Chinese ship damaged the pipeline on purpose with its Minister of European Affairs Anders Adlercreutz saying it's hard to believe that it was not intentional or done without Beijing's knowledge.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b BEMIP Gas Regional Investment Plan 2012–2021 (PDF) (Report). ENTSOG. pp. 14, 21, 68, 71. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  2. ^ a b c "Explainer: What is the Balticconnector pipeline?". Reuters. 10 October 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  3. ^ a b Bermingham, Finbarr (12 August 2024). "Beijing admits Chinese ship destroyed key Baltic gas pipeline 'by accident'". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  4. ^ Standish, Reid (14 August 2024). "China In Eurasia Briefing: Beijing Admits Its Ship Damaged A Baltic Pipeline. Now What?". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d "Elering, Baltic Connector OY sign agreement to build gas interconnection". ERR. BNS. 17 October 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Cornerstone for Balticconnector gas pipeline laid on Friday". ERR. BNS. 8 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  7. ^ a b "Estonia-Finland natural gas link established as Balticconnector fille". ERR. 29 November 2019. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  8. ^ "Balticconnector Executive Summary" (PDF). Gasum. February 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  9. ^ "European Commission grants Estonia, Finland €187.5 million for gas pipeline". ERR. BNS. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  10. ^ a b "Lorelay completes Balticconnector offshore pipelay". Offshore Magazine. 25 June 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  11. ^ "Greek company Corinth Pipeworks to produce Balticconnector gas pipe". ERR. 5 January 2018. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  12. ^ a b "Gasum plans Estonian connection". The Baltic Times. 27 November 2013. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  13. ^ "TSO Elering signs merger with subsidiaries". The Baltic Course. 16 December 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  14. ^ "Gasum Dumps Balticconnector Plan". Subsea World News. 6 October 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  15. ^ "Elering with its Finnish partner submits grant application to EU Commission". The Baltic Course. 15 October 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  16. ^ "Balticconnector Seabed Studies Under Way". ERR. 20 November 2013. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  17. ^ "Balticconnector gas pipeline sea bottom studies start in Estonia". The Baltic Course. 20 November 2013. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  18. ^ Woellwarth, Lydia (24 June 2019). "Pipelaying complete of Balticconnector's offshore pipeline". World Pipelines. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  19. ^ "Pressure tests next for offshore Balticconnector pipeline". Offshore Magazine. 12 July 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  20. ^ "Balticconnector gas pipeline between Estonia and Finland opened". ERR. 11 December 2019. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  21. ^ "More than 800 GWh of natural gas moved via Balticconnector in January". ERR. 15 February 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  22. ^ "Inauguration of gas interconnection between Poland and Lithuania". European Commission. 5 May 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  23. ^ a b "Finland's Inkoo FSRU receives US LNG cargo". LNG Prime. 22 May 2023.
  24. ^ Foy, Henry; Hancock, Alice (20 June 2024). "EU imposes sanctions on Russian LNG". Financial Times. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  25. ^ a b "Explainer: What is the Balticconnector pipeline?". Reuters. 10 October 2023.
  26. ^ a b "Finnland geht nach Pipeline-Leck von "äußerer Einwirkung" aus". Tagesschau (in German). Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  27. ^ a b c "Finland investigates suspected sabotage of Baltic-connector gas pipeline". BBC. 10 October 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  28. ^ "Seismic signal detected in vicinity of gas pipelines in the Eastern Baltic Sea - jordskjelv.no". Jordskjelv (in Norwegian). NORSAR. 10 October 2023.
  29. ^ a b Henley, Jon (11 October 2023). "Nato vows to respond if Finland-Estonia gas pipeline damage is deliberate". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  30. ^ a b RFE/RL. "Finland Opens Probe Into Possible 'Intentional Damaging' Of Baltic Sea Pipeline". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  31. ^ "Pipeline damage probe centers on Chinese ship, Finland says". Politico. 21 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  32. ^ "Finland says gas pipeline damage probably caused by dragging anchor". BBC News. 24 October 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  33. ^ Čučuk, Aida (9 December 2022). "Excelerate's FSRU soon to reach Finland". Offshore Energy. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  34. ^ Rasmussen, Louise Breusch (11 October 2023). "Balticconnector repairs will take at least five months, operators say". Reuters. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  35. ^ "Estonia says damage to Baltic Sea pipeline, cables is all linked". 27 October 2023.
  36. ^ Jungle, Neon. "Balticconnector pipeline repair successfully delivered". CoreMarine. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  37. ^ "BALTICCONNECTOR GAS PIPELINE BACK IN OPERATION AFTER DAMAGE". Natural Gas World. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  38. ^ "Balticconnector gas pipeline back in operation following six-month shut-down". 22 April 2024.
  39. ^ "The Finland-Estonia Balticconnector gas pipeline resumes operations | Enerdata". 24 April 2024.
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