Known as the Baltic Pipe Project, the pipeline will run 275 km under the Baltic Sea and is being developed by a joint venture (JV) between GAZ-SYSTEM S.A. and Energinet.
The European Union is co-financing the pipeline in order to create a new inter-European corridor supplying gas directly from Norway to markets in Poland, Denmark and other neighbouring countries.
The 36 inch (914 mm) diameter concrete-coated pipeline will be laid in water depths between 4 and 57 m, which Saipem will install using its S-lay vessels.
The contract also includes microtunnelling and civil works activities in Denmark and Poland, including extensive rock dumping, pre- and post-lay trenching and backfilling activities, with operations to commence immediately.
Saipem Offshore Division COO Francesco Racheli said the company looked forward to successfully delivering the project.
“This new contract, assigned thanks to our solid track record in pipeline installation projects and arriving at a critical moment for the energy industry worldwide, will help ensure the continuity of European gas supply and reinforces Saipem’s presence in a such a highly strategic area,” he said.
Poland currently depends on Russia for much of its gas, with the new pipeline seen as a way to reduce this dependency.
For more information visit the Saipem website.
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