Balticconnector pipeline to be restarted in April 2024 at earliest

The earliest possible commissioning date of the Balticconnector pipeline would be at the beginning of April 2024, according to the Finnish gas system operator Gasgrid on late Tuesday.

Gasgrid and the Estonian gas transmission system operator Elering noticed an unusual drop in pressure in the Balticconnector offshore pipeline running between the countries on the small hours of October 8.

The pipeline was isolated by closing the valves after the discovery.

‘Due to the unusual drop in pressure, it was reasonable to suspect that the cause of the incident was damage to the offshore pipeline and a resulting leak. The gas leak caused by the verified damage in the pipe section stopped with the isolation of the pipe section and the closing of the valves. Currently, gas transmission between Finland and Estonia has been halted,’ Gasgrid explained.

The company said that the pipeline was inspected along its entire length as planned, and no damage other than what was previously verified by authorities was found in any other part of the pipeline.

‘The earliest possible commissioning date of the Balticconnector pipeline would be at the beginning of April 2024,’ the company explained.

Finnish President Sauli Niinistö stated on October 11 that the damage to the pipeline was likely to be caused by ‘external activities’.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also on the same day said that NATO was sharing information with the relevant allies on the issue and that they were ready to support Finland and Estonia.

Lastly, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo made a statement on October 26, stating that the pipeline was damaged due to ‘external factors’ and said, ‘There was a Chinese ship in this area when the damage occurred. We are now cooperating with China to find out the role of this ship. They have promised to cooperate well with us.’

• NATO
• Prime Minister Petteri Orpo