Pipeliners

Sept 8, 2008 - Scan Oil&Gas - The Nord Stream pipeline running from the Russian Baltic Sea Coast to Germany will need to advance quickly if shortages of gas supply to Europe are to be averted in the coming 10 years, according to a report in _Scandinavian Oil-Gas Magazine. “Gas imports to the European Union, 336 billion cubic metres in 2005, are projected to grow by 200 Bcm per year by 2015,” the Nord Stream Co.’s permitting director, Dirk von Ameln, said in an interview with the magazine this month. “Nord Stream will only be able to meet 25 percent of that additional requirement,” von Ameln added. The Director is tasked with showing Baltic Sea states the economic lifeline to Europe is the safest anywhere. Parts of the pipeline will be 41 millimetres thick and coated with 150 mm more of hardened product. “Virtually impenetrable”, he said, adding, that based on based on his department’s analysis, construction can start in 2010 with two pipe-laying vessels to ensure first gas deliveries by 2011. Another tender for pipe-supply will then be held for a planned second pipeline. The delay from a building start in 2009 allows for ample time “for environmental safety” without compromising project timetables. The pipelines owners — BASF/Wintershall, E.ON Ruhrgas, Gasunie and Gazprom — are among the most experienced pipeline-builders in the world and have hired Saipem for pipelay and EUPEC PipeCoatings for weight coating. Among other pipelines planned for Europe are a link from Norway’s Norwegian Sea gas fields to Sweden and on to Denmark and perhaps Poland. In the south of the Continent, a Russia-Greece line is foreseen, as is a Mediterranean link to Italy for partners in Caspian Sea and Iranian gas.