Balticconnector
| Balticconnector | |
|---|---|
Map of Balticconnector | |
| Location | |
| Country | Finland Estonia |
| General direction | north–south–north (bidirectional) |
| From | Ingå, Finland (offshore Section) |
| Passes through | Gulf of Finland |
| To | Paldiski, Estonia (offshore Section) |
| General information | |
| Type | natural gas |
| Partners | Elering Baltic Connector OY |
| Operator | Gasgrid Finland and Elering |
| Manufacturer of pipes | Corinth Pipeworks Pipe Industry SA |
| Installer of pipes | Allseas |
| Pipe layer | Lorelay |
| Construction started | 8 June 2018 |
| Commissioned | 11 December 2019 |
| Technical information | |
| Length | 151 km (94 mi) |
| Maximum discharge | 2.6 billion cubic metres per annum (92×109 cu ft/a) |
| Diameter | 500–700 mm (20–28 in) |
| No. of compressor stations | 2 |
Balticconnector is a bi-directional natural gas pipeline between Ingå, Finland and Paldiski, Estonia operated by Gasgrid Finland and Elering. It connects the Estonian and Finnish gas grids, and provides Finland with access to the Inčukalns underground gas storage facility in Latvia.
The subsea pipeline and a nearby data cable were damaged in October 2023. The pipeline was repaired and began operation again after six months. The Chinese authorities reported that the anchor of the Hong Kong-flagged ship NewNew Polar Bear was responsible for breaking the pipeline. The Chinese authorities concluded it was an accident, while "both the Estonian and Finnish inquiries are ongoing."