Balticconnector gas pipeline repairs starting in March

A Finnish state-owned natural gas transmission system operator, Gasgrid, is currently initiating preparations for the repair of the Balticconnector gas pipeline that runs between Estonia and Finland.

Gasgrid disclosed its plan to restore the pipeline’s functionality by late April after it became inactive since it was damaged in early October last year.

‘Preparations for the repair of the Balticconnector offshore pipeline have progressed according to plan in cooperation with Gasgrid and Elering,’ Gasgrid said in a news briefing.

Repair operations in the Gulf of Finland are scheduled to commence in early March, with the pipeline slated for reactivation on April 22, 2024.

‘The planned duration of the repair works is approximately 4 weeks, after which an inspection will be carried out and the pipeline recommissioned,’ it said.

The Balticconnector marine gas pipeline opened in 2020, linking Inkoo in Finland with Paldiski, in Estonia, while enabling Finland to reduce its dependency on imports from Russia.

The pipeline was damaged in ‘suspicious circumstances’ on Oct. 8, 2023.

Finland, Estonia and China are conducting joint investigations into the matter. However, Finnish investigators said the damage could be an act of sabotage.

Investigations suggested that a Hong Kong-flagged Chinese vessel’s dropped anchor was behind the subsequent leak.

• Finnish state-owned natural gas transmission system operator