The natural gas transmission system operator Amber Grid has completed the reconstruction works of the Vilnius-Panevėžys-Riga pipeline sections stretching up to the Lithuanian-Latvian border. The reconstruction of the pipeline involved the upgrade of a cross-border section of the route connecting Lithuania and Latvia. This section is vital for international gas flows. The pipeline became especially important this year due to the increased gas transmission to Latvia as a result of a very favourable market price for liquefied natural gas.
'The gas pipeline between Lithuania and Latvia is increasingly used for regional gas trade. It also plays an important role in intensifying the exploitation of the Klaipėda LNG terminal and the Latvian Inčukalns underground gas storage facility. As the role of this connection has recently changed, with gas transmission volumes to Latvia increasing two times, it has become even more important for our business and an efficient gas market', said acting CEO of Amber Grid Nemunas Biknius.
The upgraded pipeline is equipped with modern technologies. Innovative corrosion detection sensors have been installed in the gas pipeline to remotely monitor the pipeline’s condition. The new technological solutions enhance the maintenance of the gas pipeline, extend the lifetime of the infrastructure and ensure the security of the gas transmission system. The importance of this investment is highlighted by the fact that the European Union has also contributed to the funding of the project. The project of a value of over 8 million euros was implemented by the contractor MT Group.
The project involved upgrading 14 km of one of the main gas supply lines in the whole Baltic region. The total length of the international gas pipeline in Lithuania, which was built more than 30 years ago, is 170 km. This pipeline is used to transmit gas to and from the Inčukalns underground gas storage facility in Latvia as well as to meet the gas needs of the Baltic States and Lithuania.
It was announced that an agreement had been signed for financing the construction works of another project involving the increasing of capacity of the Lithuanian-Latvian gas pipeline. The new project is scheduled for completion in late 2023. The increased gas transmission capacity between Lithuania and Latvia will be extremely important – it will contribute to the benefits of the GIPL interconnection between Lithuania and Poland, which will be operating by the time, thus strengthening the gas market.
