The Balticconnector gas pipeline, damaged in October, is expected to be put into operation on April 22, 2024, Finnish operator Gasgrid said on Thursday.
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“The estimated date for commissioning of the pipeline is April 22, 2024, provided that repair work, which will begin in the near future, is carried out as planned,” the press release said.
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Renovation work is expected to begin in early March. The planned duration of repair work is about 4 weeks, the operator clarifies. At this stage, the necessary materials have already been prepared and key partners have been selected.
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The Balticconnector gas pipeline was stopped on the night of October 8. Then Gasgrid Finland noted that the gas pipeline was not working due to a possible leak. Finnish police reported on October 24 that the Chinese ship Newnew Polar Bear, flying the Hong Kong flag, was allegedly responsible for the damage to the gas pipeline; repeated attempts to contact the ship’s crew were unsuccessful. The Finnish Central Criminal Police are investigating the damage as vandalism.
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Finnish operator Gasgrid Finland announced the start of a study of the gas pipeline, and Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said that damage to the Balticconnector could not be caused by natural causes. The Finnish Central Criminal Police are investigating the damage as vandalism.
