Balticconnector: questions bubble to surface after damage to key undersea pipeline

The Balticconnector pipeline consists of an onshore and an offshore section. The offshore section spans approximately 77 km across the bottom of the Gulf of Finland. The pipeline connects the Inkoo terminal in Finland to the Paldiski terminal in Estonia. The pipeline has bidirectional flow capabilities, allowing gas to flow in either direction, depending on demand and supply conditions in both countries.

Gasgrid has said the damage could potentially take months to repair, but authorities have said the Finnish gas system is stable, and the country’s gas supply is secured via the Inkoo LNG floating terminal.

The damage to the Balticconnector pipeline comes a year after damage was found to the Nord Stream gas pipeline, following underwater explosions. Russia was an immediate target of speculation as to who may have tampered with Nord Stream but has denied responsibility. Officials in the US and in Germany have been quoted in recent media reports as saying some of the evidence may point to a Ukraine-linked group, but the investigation remains unsolved.

Gasgrid Finland said on 8 October 2023, that it will start preliminary preparations for an inspection operation of the Balticconnector pipe, together with Estonia’s Elering. Gasgrid said the inspection operation will be carried out in stages and repair plans for the pipeline will be made, including a schedule for the repair work. Measurements of the offshore Balticconnector gas pipeline, related to the inspection operation that aims to determine the location and extent of the predicted damage, began in Inkoo on 10 October 2023. Based on the results of the measurements, Gasgrid said it and Elering would begin planning repair work for the pipe. 

Gasgrid Finland has assessed the extent of the gas leak; this will be reported to the Finnish environmental authorities in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act.

Gasgrid Finland reiterated that the Inkoo LNG terminal has the capacity and ability to deliver the gas Finland needs over the Northern Hemisphere’s winter. The company has been in contact with market players, which have been instructed to ensure the gas supply they need by ordering it to Inko or the Hamina LNG terminal, so continuity of gas supply is secured over the coming months.

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