Gasgrid Finland and the Estonian gas transmission system operator Elering AS noticed an unusual drop in pressure in the Balticconnector offshore pipeline running between the countries on the small hours of October 8, 2023. The pipeline was isolated shortly after the discovery by closing the valves. 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. The state of the Finnish gas system is stable, and the supply of gas is secured via the LNG terminal in Inkoo.

On Tuesday, October 10 Finnish authorities confirmed damage in the Balticconnector pipeline, which caused the unusual drop in pressure observed in the early hours of October 8. Gasgrid Finland’s previously launched offshore pipeline inspection operation ended last weekend, and the analysis of the results is underway.

The goal of the inspection operation was to get an accurate understanding of ​​the condition of the entire offshore pipeline. Gasgrid Finland was responsible for the inspection operation, and it was carried out in cooperation with Elering. 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. Based on the analysis of the inspection results, planning for detailed repairing  measures and their scheduling can begin.

Based on preliminary expert assessments, it can be assumed that the planning of the repair work, the mobilization of the necessary underwater equipment and the actual repair measures, including the inspection of the repaired pipeline and commissioning, will last at least five months. Therefore, the earliest possible commissioning date of the Balticconnector pipeline would be at the beginning of April 2024.

The state of Finland’s gas system is stable and the prerequisites for securing gas supplies are in place

The situation of the Finnish gas system is stable, and the supply of gas has been secured from the capacity perspective via the LNG terminal in Inkoo. The terminal has the capacity and the ability to deliver the gas Finland needs in the coming winter as well, even though gas consumption is typically higher in winter seasons. Market participants have been instructed to ensure the gas supply they need by ordering it to the Inkoo or Hamina LNG terminal, so that the continuity of the gas supply is secured in the coming winter season.

Gasgrid Finland will provide more information about the development of the situation on its website www.gasgrid.fi as soon as more information is available.

More information:

Janne Grönlund, SVP, Transmission System, Gasgrid Finland Oy, +358 40 036 8825
Media contacts: Virve Wright, SVP, Communications, Sustainability, Public Relations, Gasgrid Finland Oy, +358 40 552 9219