WORK STARTS ON GERMAN WEST-EAST GAS LINE

Right-of-way work is under way for the first high pressure, large diameter, pipeline link between the extensive natural gas transmission system in western Germany and the less developed supply network in the eastern part of the country. The link will be made by a short spur from Ruhrgas AG's system in Hesse to a 186 mile pipeline Erdgasversorgungs GmbH (EVG), Leipzig, plans to lay across the former East German province of Thuringia to Saxony with a lateral to Saalfeld.

April 15, 1991

3 min read

The link will be made by a short spur from Ruhrgas AG's system in Hesse to a 186 mile pipeline Erdgasversorgungs GmbH (EVG), Leipzig, plans to lay across the former East German province of Thuringia to Saxony with a lateral to Saalfeld.

Lines between east and west have been laid by local companies that have linked low pressure distribution networks across the old border. This is the first trunkline into the former East Germany that will make added gas available on a large scale.

The 37 mile spur link by Ruhrgas from Lauterbach, Hesse, to Vitzeroda, Thuringia, is to start delivering gas early next year. EVG plans to have the 186 mile section of line from Vitzeroda to Niederhohndorf, Saxony, operational this summer.

First supplies will come from a link with the existing Verbundnetz Gas (VNG) pipeline near Jena until deliveries from Ruhrgas are available next year. A supply contract with Ruhrgas will provide an average 193 MMcfd of gas starting in 1992.

EVG, a joint venture of Ruhrgas and VNG, said it is giving the highest priority to the pipeline project. Contracts have been awarded, and EVG said the work will occupy the entire pipeline engineering industry in eastern Germany for a few months.

Environmental considerations are behind the decision to give the EVG project top priority. Thuringia and Saxony, with the highest levels of industrial activity in eastern Germany, produce the highest levels of pollution. Locally mined lignite accounts for more than 70% of total energy consumption and provides feedstock for an extensive town gas network.

First supplies through the EVG line will go to industrial and commercial customers. Three local companies have signed contract to buy gas from EVG as appliances owned by domestic consumers are converted from town gas to natural gas fuel.

The entire pipeline project is expected to cost 600 million marks ($361 million).

The Ruhrgas section and first stretch of the EVG line from Vitzeroda to Erfurt will be 1,000 mm (40 in.) diameter, with 800 mm (311/2 in.) for the remaining section to Niederhohndorf. A branch from Erfurt to Saalfeld will be 600 mm (24 in.) The line is designed for an operating pressure of 84 bar (1,218 psi).