Inpex Corp. said the Toyama natural gas pipeline in Japan is expected to begin operating in mid-2016.
The 20-in. trunkline is designed to extend 102 km from Itoigawa City in Niigata Prefecture to Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture.
A feasibility study began in October 2010 and groundbreaking occurred in April 2012.
Inpex said natural gas demand in Japan has “substantially increased” in recent years. The company is producing gas from Minami-Nagaoka gas field in Niigata Prefecture and other fields in Japan. Gas is delivered to city gas companies and industrial customers through Inpex’s 1,400-km trunk pipeline network.