Implementing the GIPL project to interconnect the gas system of Lithuania, Baltic States and Finland with Europe, the quality of the first lot of the new gas interconnection was tested. The pipeline underwent hydraulic tests to ensure it can sustain maximum designed pressure loads. The working pressure of the GIPL gas pipeline will be 54 bar.
'The hydraulic tests proved the installed section of the GIPL gas pipeline to be properly mounted and reliable for operation, once we are ready to fill it in with gas. We will continue focusing substantial attention on the quality of installation of the strategic infrastructure', said Technical Director of Amber Grid Andrius Dagys.
Reliability of 38-kilometer long section of the gas pipeline was tested in the pipeline crossing the districts of Širvintos, Vilnius, Elektrėnai. Upon completion of the hydraulic tests, the smart internal diagnostic device was inserted into the pipeline to check geometry of the gas pipeline, the quality of gas pipeline mounting works.
During installation of the international gas interconnection, Amber Grid is carrying out strict supervision of the quality of works and products used. To check the quality of the pipeline, all welding seams are examined by using a special X-ray device.
Since commencement of the gas pipeline construction, 45 per cent of the total construction works of the project has been completed in nine months. By the end of 2020, 60 per cent of the GIPL construction works are planned to be completed. By now, 109 kilometres of the gas pipeline have already been laid from Širvintai to Alytus District. The length of the gas pipeline in Lithuania will be 165 km.
At present, the joint efforts of the contractor and Amber Grid have been moved from gas pipeline works to mounting and connection of valve station to the existing gas transmission system. The intense gas pipeline laying works carried out throughout this year have reached Alytus District. The works are planned to be resumed in November, continuing laying the pipeline in the other part of Alytus District and Lazdijai District, actively moving towards the Lithuanian - Polish border. At the border, in the Lithuanian side construction of an important element of the GIPL - gas accounting and pressure regulation station - has been launched.
In early September, the GIPL gas pipeline laying under two largest rivers in Lithuania - the Neris and Nemunas - was completed and the new stage was launched - the section of the pipeline has been connected to the gas transmission system in operation.
The GIPL gas pipeline to be launched in the end of 2021 will interconnect the gas markets of Lithuania, Baltic States and Finland with the European Union. The gas interconnection will enable gas extraction from various sources, more effective operation of the Lithuanian gas transmission system and Klaipėda LNG terminal, and assurance of biomethane and hydrogen flows in the region. The GIPL link will have capacity of transportation of up to 27 TWh gas per year in the direction of the Baltic States, and up to 21 TWh in the direction of Poland per year.
