Balticconnector

The project consists of {{convert|77|km}} of a bi-directional offshore pipeline between Ingå in Finland and Paldiski in Estonia, {{convert|21|km}} of onshore pipeline in Finland between Ingå and Siuntio, and {{convert|55|km}} of onshore pipeline in Estonia between Paldiski and Kiili. There are also metering and compressor stations in Ingå and in Kersalu, Estonia. The offshore part is operated jointly by Elering and Baltic Connector, while onshore sections of the pipeline will be developed separately by each party. Originally, there was also a proposal for alternative {{convert|140|km|adj=on}} long route from Vuosaari (district of Helsinki) to Paldiski.{{cite web|url=http://www.gasum.com/gasnetwork/Documents/Balticconnector%20-%20Executive%20Summary%20Report%20-%2010022011.pdf| title = Balticconnector Executive Summary| publisher = Gasum| date = February 2011| accessdate = 2011-05-15| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20120324031454/http://www.gasum.com/gasnetwork/Documents/Balticconnector%20-%20Executive%20Summary%20Report%20-%2010022011.pdf | archivedate = 2012-03-24 | url-status = dead}}

The offshore section and the Finnish onshore section use {{convert|500|mm|in}} pipes with an operating pressure of {{convert|80|bar}}. The Estonian onshore section uses a {{convert|700|mm|in|adj=on}} pipe with an operating pressure of {{convert|55|bar}}. In Estonia the pipeline is connected to the existing {{convert|700|mm|in|adj=on}} transmission pipeline from Latvia, which will be enhanced.{{cite news | url = http://news.err.ee/v/f0784573-3602-4b3e-8231-4e295560d78a | title = European Commission grants Estonia, Finland €187.5 million for gas pipeline | agency = BNS | work = ERR | date = 2016-07-15 | accessdate = 2016-10-19}} The initial capacity of pipeline is {{convert|0.9|e9m3/a|abbr=off}}. Later, it will increase up to {{convert|2.6|e9m3/a|abbr=off}}. The pipeline cost €300 million, of which 206 million were financed by the European Commission.

The onshore section in Estonia was built by EG Ehitus AS, a subsidiary of Eesti Gaas, and the offshore section was built by Allseas. The offshore pipeline was laid by the pipe-laying vessel Lorelay. Pipes were supplied by Corinth Pipeworks Pipe Industry S.A., Greece.{{cite news | url = https://news.err.ee/652427/greek-company-corinth-pipeworks-to-produce-balticconnector-gas-pipe | title = Greek company Corinth Pipeworks to produce Balticconnector gas pipe| work = ERR | date = 2018-01-05 | accessdate = 2019-12-12}}

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.{{cite news | url = http://www.baltictimes.com/news/articles/33845 | title = Gasum plans Estonian connection | newspaper = The Baltic Times | date = 2013-11-27 | accessdate = 2014-01-24}} Later EG Võrguteenus was acquired by, and became a part of the Estonian transmission system operator Elering.{{cite news | url = http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/energy/?doc=114410 | title = TSO Elering signs merger with subsidiaries | newspaper = The Baltic Course | date=2015-12-16 | accessdate=2016-02-27}} In October 2015, Gasum abandoned the project due to commercial viability.{{cite news | url = http://subseaworldnews.com/2015/10/06/gasum-dumps-balticconnector-plan/ | title = Gasum Dumps Balticconnector Plan | work = Subsea World News | date = 2015-10-06 | accessdate = 2015-11-24}} It was replaced by the Finnish state-owned company Baltic Connector OY.{{cite news | url= http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/energy/?doc=111686 | title= Elering with its Finnish partner submits grant application to EU Commission | newspaper = The Baltic Course | date=2015-10-15 | accessdate=2015-11-24}}

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.{{cite report| url = http://www.cire.pl/pliki/1/GRIP_BEMIP_MAIN3.pdf| title = BEMIP Gas Regional Investment Plan 2012–2021| publisher = ENTSOG| accessdate = 2014-01-24| pages = 14; 21; 68; 71}} The seabed studies started in November 2013.{{cite news |url = http://news.err.ee/v/economy/4ca416df-accf-462b-a474-3f085b76543d |title = Balticconnector Seabed Studies Under Way |agency = ERR |date = 2013-11-20 |accessdate = 2014-01-24}}{{cite news |url = http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/energy/?doc=83874 |title = Balticconnector gas pipeline sea bottom studies start in Estonia |newspaper = The Baltic Course |date = 2013-11-20 |accessdate = 2014-01-24}}

The construction agreement was signed between Elering and Baltic Connector on 17 October 2016.{{cite news|url = http://news.err.ee/v/3da6c11b-be30-4267-ae11-246d92a878dd|title = Elering, Baltic Connector OY sign agreement to build gas interconnection|agency = BNS|work = ERR|date = 2016-10-17|accessdate = 2016-10-19}} 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.{{cite news |url = https://news.err.ee/838015/cornerstone-for-balticconnector-gas-pipeline-laid-on-friday|title = Cornerstone for Balticconnector gas pipeline laid on Friday|agency = BNS|work = ERR|date = 2018-06-08|accessdate = 2018-06-10}} Laying the offshore pipeline started on 20 May 2019 and was completed on 24 June 2019.{{cite news|url = https://www.worldpipelines.com/project-news/24062019/pipelaying-complete-of-balticconnectors-offshore-pipeline/|title = Pipelaying complete of Balticconnector's offshore pipeline|first = Lydia | last = Woellwarth|work = World Pipelines|date = 2019-06-24|accessdate = 2019-07-15}}{{cite news |url = https://www.offshore-mag.com/pipelines/article/14035322/lorelay-completes-balticconnector-offshore-pipelay|title = Lorelay completes Balticconnector offshore pipelay|work = Offshore Magazine|date = 2019-06-25|accessdate = 2019-07-15}} Shielding of the offshore section were completed by 12 July 2019.{{cite news |url = https://www.offshore-mag.com/pipelines/article/14036104/pressure-tests-next-for-offshore-balticconnector-pipeline|title = Pressure tests next for offshore Balticconnector pipeline|work = Offshore Magazine|date = 2019-07-12|accessdate = 2019-07-15}}

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.{{cite news |url = https://news.err.ee/1008639/estonia-finland-natural-gas-link-established-as-balticconnector-filled|title = Estonia-Finland natural gas link established as Balticconnector fille|work = ERR|date = 2019-11-29|accessdate = 2019-12-12}} 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.{{cite news |url = https://news.err.ee/1013004/balticconnector-gas-pipeline-between-estonia-and-finland-opened|title = Balticconnector gas pipeline between Estonia and Finland opened|work = ERR|date = 2019-12-11|accessdate = 2019-12-12}}

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.{{cite news |url = https://news.err.ee/1035694/more-than-800-gwh-of-natural-gas-moved-via-balticconnector-in-january|title = More than 800 GWh of natural gas moved via Balticconnector in January|work = ERR|date = 2020-02-15|accessdate = 2020-02-19}}

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,{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/info/news/inauguration-gas-interconnection-between-poland-and-lithuania-2022-may-05_en |title=Inauguration of gas interconnection between Poland and Lithuania|website=European Commission|date=5 May 2022|access-date=30 December 2022}} and vice versa; Estonia received LNG shipments via Inkoo LNG terminal in May 2023.{{cite web |title=Finland's Inkoo FSRU receives US LNG cargo |url=https://lngprime.com/europe/finlands-inkoo-fsru-receives-us-lng-cargo/82149/ |website=LNG Prime |date=22 May 2023}}

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. In June 2024 the EU officially sanctioned Russian LNG supply in their 14th package.{{cite news |last=Foy |first=Henry |last2=Hancock |first2=Alice |date=2024-06-20 |title=EU imposes sanctions on Russian LNG |url=https://www.ft.com/content/1b58d176-66f1-498b-aa44-a68ad3a43648 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-10-22 |work=Financial Times}}

File:Baltic Fulmar (ship, 2005) IMO 9313204, Maasmond, Port of Rotterdam pic4.JPG (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.{{cite web |title=Explainer: What is the Balticconnector pipeline? |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/what-is-balticconnector-pipeline-2023-10-10/ |website=Reuters |language=en |date=10 October 2023}} The operators closed the valves to stop the flow. They later discovered a leak caused by a damaged pipe in the sea.{{Cite web |title=Finnland geht nach Pipeline-Leck von "äußerer Einwirkung" aus |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/europa/finnland-pipeline-schaeden-100.html |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=Tagesschau |language=de}} The EE-S1 telecoms cable, near the pipeline, was also damaged.

On 10 October 2023, the Finnish government announced that the damage to the pipeline may have been deliberate and caused by "external activity".{{cite web|title=Finland investigates suspected sabotage of Baltic-connector gas pipeline|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-67070389 |date=10 October 2023|access-date=10 October 2023|website=BBC}} The leak is being investigated by the Finnish Border Guard and the Finnish Security Intelligence Service. 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.{{cite web |title=Seismic signal detected in vicinity of gas pipelines in the Eastern Baltic Sea - jordskjelv.no |url=https://www.jordskjelv.no/meldinger/seismic-signal-detected-in-vicinity-of-gas-pipelines-in-the-eastern-baltic-sea |website=Jordskjelv |publisher=NORSAR |language=no |date=10 October 2023}} A few days later investigators stated the damage "appears to have been mechanical, not an explosion".

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.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/11/nato-vows-to-respond-if-finland-estonia-gas-pipeline-damage-is-deliberate |title=Nato vows to respond if Finland-Estonia gas pipeline damage is deliberate |last=Henley |first=Jon |newspaper=The Guardian |date=11 October 2023 |access-date=11 October 2023}} Finland's National Bureau of Investigations opened an investigation into the potential "intentional damaging" of the pipeline by the Chinese vessel in response.{{Cite news |last=RFE/RL |title=Finland Opens Probe Into Possible 'Intentional Damaging' Of Baltic Sea Pipeline |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/estonia-demands-answers-gas-pipeline-damage/32632890.html |access-date=2024-01-06 |work=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty |language=en}}

File:Balticconnector-damage-2023.jpg

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.{{cite web |title=Pipeline damage probe centers on Chinese ship, Finland says |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/probe-into-pipeline-damage-entered-on-chinese-ship-finnish-investigators-say/ |date=21 October 2023 |access-date=22 October 2023 |website=Politico}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67209754 |title=Finland says gas pipeline damage probably caused by dragging anchor |date=2023-10-24 |work=BBC News |access-date=2023-10-24}}

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.{{Cite news |date=2023-10-10 |title=Explainer: What is the Balticconnector pipeline? |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/what-is-balticconnector-pipeline-2023-10-10/ |access-date=2023-10-11}}{{Cite web |last=Čučuk |first=Aida |date=2022-12-09 |title=Excelerate's FSRU soon to reach Finland |url=https://www.offshore-energy.biz/excelerates-fsru-soon-to-reach-finland/ |access-date=2023-10-11 |website=Offshore Energy |language=en-US}} Gas can also be supplied from the LNG terminal in Hamina at 6 GWh/day and from biogas plants. The pipeline operators state that repairs will take at least five months, with an earliest projected restart in April 2024.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/balticconnector-repairs-will-take-least-five-months-operators-say-2023-10-11/ |title=Balticconnector repairs will take at least five months, operators say |last=Rasmussen |first=Louise Breusch |publisher=Reuters |url-access=limited |date=11 October 2023 |access-date=12 October 2023}} On 27 October Estonian PM Kaja Kallas aired her suspicions of foul play.{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/baltic-sea-balticconnector-pipeline-damage-estonia-sweden-finland-kaja-kallas/ |title=Estonia says damage to Baltic Sea pipeline, cables is all linked |date=27 October 2023 }}

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.{{Cite web |last=Jungle |first=Neon |title=Balticconnector pipeline repair successfully delivered |url=https://core-marine.com/news/balticconnector-pipeline-repair-successfully-delivered |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=CoreMarine |language=english}} The pipeline resumed commercial operation after repairs were completed on 22 April 2024.{{cite news |url=https://www.naturalgasworld.com/balticconnector-gas-pipeline-back-in-operation-after-repair-110807 |title=BALTICCONNECTOR GAS PIPELINE BACK IN OPERATION AFTER DAMAGE |publisher=Natural Gas World |date=22 April 2024 |access-date=24 April 2024}}{{cite news |url=https://www.offshore-energy.biz/balticconnector-gas-pipeline-back-in-operation-following-six-month-shut-down/ |title=Balticconnector gas pipeline back in operation following six-month shut-down |date=22 April 2024 }}{{cite news |url=https://www.enerdata.net/publications/daily-energy-news/finland-estonia-balticconnector-gas-pipeline-resumes-operations.html |title=The Finland-Estonia Balticconnector gas pipeline resumes operations | Enerdata |date=24 April 2024 }}

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.{{cite news |last=Bermingham |first=Finbarr |date=2024-08-12 |title=Beijing admits Chinese ship destroyed key Baltic gas pipeline 'by accident' |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3274120/china-admits-hong-hong-flagged-ship-destroyed-key-baltic-gas-pipeline-accident |access-date=2024-09-27 |work=South China Morning Post}}

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."

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.

{{Portal|Estonia|Finland|Energy}}

• Energy in Estonia
• {{annotated link|Inkoo LNG terminal}}
• {{annotated link|Gas Interconnection Poland–Lithuania}}
• {{annotated link|Klaipėda LNG terminal}}
• {{Section link|C-Lion1|Fault in 2024}} – a submarine communications cable between Finland and Germany that was damaged a year later
• 2024 Baltic Sea submarine cable disruptions

{{Reflist}}

• [https://elering.ee/en/balticconnector/ Balticconnector] (Elering website)
• [http://balticconnector.fi/en/the-project/ Balticconnector] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211172158/http://balticconnector.fi/en/the-project/ |date=2019-12-11 }} (Baltic Connector Oy website)

Category:Natural gas pipelines in Finland

Category:Natural gas pipelines in Estonia

Category:Pipelines under the Baltic Sea

Category:Estonia–Finland relations

Category:2019 establishments in Estonia

Category:2019 establishments in Finland

Category:Gulf of Finland

Category:China–Finland relations

Category:Maritime incidents in 2023

Category:October 2023 in Finland

Category:Baltic infrastructure incidents