Baltic Connector - Jan 2020 start
Website
http://balticconnector.fi/en/the-project/
Wiki
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balticconnector
1.
Project purpose and objectives
The Balticconnector pipeline project will play a major role in the energy strategies of both Finland and the EU. The project will
Improve regional security of supply by diversifying gas sources
Create a framework for market opening and growth and enable the use of alternative sources, such as liquid natural gas (LNG) and biogas
Enables the interconnection of the Finnish and Baltic gas markets and their integration with the EU’s common energy market
The total cost of the project is EUR 250 million. The project would not be viable without considerable support from the EU. In 2016, the European Commission (CEF) granted funding of EUR 187.5 million to the project.
Improvements in the gas transmission systems between Estonia and Latvia, and between Poland and Lithuania, will coincide with the Balticconnector project. Together these projects will enable the integration of the Finnish and Baltic systems with the EU’s common gas market.
Project scope
The project will comprise the construction of pipeline systems, stations and facilities to connect the existing gas networks in Finland and Estonia. The transmission capacity of the pipeline will be 7.2 million cubic metre (72 GWh) per day. Gas can be transported bi-directionally between Finland and Estonia according to market demand.
The project has been divided into the following subproject:
Onshore pipeline Siuntio-Inkoo (Finland) with a pipe diameter of 500 mm and length of 21 km
Compression and metering station, Inkoo (Finland)
Offshore pipeline Inkoo (Finland) - Paldiski (Estonia) with a pipe diameter of 500 mm and length of 77 km
Compression and metering station, Kersalu (Estonia)
Onshore pipeline Paldiski-Kiili (Estonia) with a pipe diameter of 700 mm and length of 55 km
2.
Balticconnector
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaJump to navigationJump to searchFor the planned subsea pipeline between Germany, Norway, Denmark and Sweden, see Baltic Gas Interconnector. For the planned subsea pipeline between Denmark and Poland, see Baltic Pipe.BalticconnectorLocationCountryFinland
EstoniaGeneral directionnorth–south–northFromIngå, Finland (offshore Section)Passes throughGulf of FinlandToPaldiski, Estonia (offshore Section)General informationTypenatural gasPartnersElering
Baltic Connector OYManufacturer of pipesCorinth Pipeworks Pipe Industry SAInstaller of pipesAllseasPipe layerLorelayConstruction started8 June 2018Commissioned11 December 2019Technical informationLength151 km (94 mi)Maximum discharge2.6 billion cubic metres per annum (92×109 cu ft/a)Diameter500–700 mm (20–28 in)No. of compressor stations2
Balticconnector is a bi-directional natural gas pipeline between Ingå, Finland and Paldiski, Estonia. It connects Estonian and Finnish gas grids. The pipeline provides Finland with an access to the Latvia's natural gas storage in Inčukalns. In addition, the pipeline enables construction of the regional liquefied natural gas terminal.[1]
History[edit]
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.[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.[2][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] Laying the offshore pipeline started on 20 May 2019 and was completed on 24 June 2019.[10][11] Shielding of the offshore section were completed by 12 July 2019.[12]
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.[13] The pipeline was inaugurated on 11 December 2019 by the 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.[14]
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.[15]
Technical description[edit]
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, and 55 kilometres (34 mi) of onshore pipeline in Estonia between Paldiski and Kiili. .[8][9][13] It consists of metering and compressor stations in Ingå and in Kersalu, Estonia.[8][9] The offshore part is 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.[16]
The offshore section and the Finnish onshore section uses 500-millimetre (20 in) pipe with an operating pressure of 80 bars (8,000 kPa). The Estonian onshore section uses 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.[17] The initial capacity of pipeline is 0.9 billion cubic metres per annum (32 billion cubic feet per annum). Later, it will increased up to 2.6 billion cubic metres per annum (92 billion cubic feet per annum). The pipeline cost €300 million, of which 206 million was financed by the European Commission.[9]
Onshore section in Estonia was built by EG Ehitus AS, a subsidiary of Eesti Gaas, and the offshore section was built by Allseas.[9] The offshore pipeline was laid by the pipe-laying vessel Lorelay.[11] Pipes were supplied by Corinth Pipeworks Pipe Industry SA.
Source: https://ec.europa.eu/inea/en/connecting-europe-facility/cef-energy/8.1.1-0004-fiee-w-m-16
