Conexus invests more than 6.6 million in gas transmission projects and repairs in 2021

Last year, the single operator of the natural gas transmission and storage system, Conexus Baltic Grid (Conexus), invested more than EUR 6.6 million in gas transmission projects and repairs to improve the gas infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted gas transmission.

The daily maintenance of the natural gas transmission infrastructure involves continuous inspection and diagnostics of the system to ensure its safe operation.

Last year, a number of improvements were made to gas transmission, including on sections of projects of common interest, with investments amounting to more than €1.9 million. Investments were directed towards the rehabilitation of corrosion insulation at damaged locations on the 4,636-metre-long Izborska - Inčukalns Underground Gas Storage (UGS) transmission pipeline and the 1,660-metre-long Riga - Panevėžys transmission pipeline. Also, based on the results of the diagnostics, the damaged sections of the transmission pipelines were replaced on the transmission pipelines Izborska - Inčukalna UGS, Pleskava - Rīga, Rīga - Inčukalna UGS I line.

Ivars Cibulskis, Conexus Gas Transmission Manager: "Safety and continuity of gas transmission infrastructure is always our priority, so I am pleased that despite the challenges posed by Covid-19, we managed to implement the planned projects and gas transmission operations were not affected. This year we continue to ensure the most efficient operation of transmission by continuing with the projects we have already started, as well as exploring future projects together with operators in neighbouring countries."

In 2021, more than half a million euro was invested in the daily operation of gas transmission through internal diagnostics on Lines I and II of the Riga - Inčukalna UGS transmission pipeline, including diagnostics with non-destructive control methods at several stages. In addition, 137 control measuring points were supplied and installed. 

Mr Cibulskis also points out that within the framework of technical development projects, with an investment of almost EUR 4 million, the corrosion insulation of the transmission pipeline Izborska - Inčukalna UGS section LK In230 - LK In232 was renewed last year, including the replacement of 5 crossings of transmission pipelines with national roads and repairs with replacement of gas pipeline sections. In 2021, the corrosion isolation rehabilitation and replacement of gas pipeline sections on national roads was completed, with the replacement of sections continuing in 2022. Replacement of anode earthing of 8 transmission gas pipelines was also carried out.