Balticconnector’s repair work completed – next, on to commissioning

The repairs of the Balticconnector offshore pipeline have been completed according to plans, and the integrity and strength of the pipe have been tested with a water pressure test. Alongside the sea operation, the preparatory work phases for the pipeline’s commissioning have also begun, the implementation of which will take place from land areas in Estonia and Finland. After the commissioning’s preparatory works are completed, the actual commissioning can begin.

The commissioning proceeds in phases: the pipeline is first flushed with purified water. Afterwards, the pipe is emptied of water, and the pipe’s geometry is inspected internally. Following the inspection, the pipe is dried and finally filled with gas. The commissioning is estimated to be completed on April 22, when the Balticconnector sea pipeline connection can be returned to the use of the gas market.

Elering and the Finnish system operator Gasgrid Finland closed the Balticconnector on the night of October 8, 2023, as the pressure in the gas pipeline began to drop rapidly, which indicated a leak from the pipeline. After a few days, it turned out that the gas pipeline has broken due to external damage in Finland's economic zone.

Balticconnector started at the beginning of 2020. The length of the underwater part of the Balticconnector from Paldisk in Estonia to Inkoon in Finland is 77 km.