Medgaz

Medgaz pipeline
Location of Medgaz pipeline
Location
Country	Algeria, Spain
General direction	south-north
From	Hassi R'Mel, Algeria
Passes through	Mediterranean Sea
To	Almería, Spain
General information
Type	natural gas
Partners	Sonatrach, CEPSA, Iberdrola, Endesa, GDF Suez
Operator	Sociedad para el Estudio y Promocion del Gasoducto Argelia-Europa, via Espana S.A.
Commissioned	2010
Technical information
Length	757 km (470 mi)
Maximum discharge	8 billion cubic meters per year

Medgaz is a submarine natural gas pipeline between Algeria and Spain.

History

The idea of building a direct gas pipeline between Algeria and Europe arose in the 1970s. However, the technical limitations at that time prevented the construction and operation of an ultra deepwater gas pipeline.^[1] The preparation of Medgaz project started in 2001 by founding Medgaz pipeline company (Sociedad para el Estudio y Promocion del Gasoducto Argelia-Europa, via Espana S.A.). The feasibility study carried out in 2002–2003. The construction started on 7 March 2008 in Almeria.^[2] Work in laying the subsea stretch was finished in December 2008.^[3] The pipeline was officially inaugurated on 1 March 2011.^[4]

Route

The pipeline begins from the Hassi R'mel field in Algeria and the first section runs to the port of Beni Saf. The offshore section begins from Beni Saf and the landfall site is at the Perdigal Beach in the coast of Almería, Spain. It will be hooked up to the existing Almería-Albacete gas pipeline.

Technical description

The length of Algerian onshore section is 547 kilometres (340 mi) and the offshore section is 210 kilometres (130 mi).^[5] The initial capacity of the 48 inches (1,220 mm) onshore and 24 inches (610 mm) offshore pipeline will be 8 billion cubic meter (bcm) of natural gas annually. It would be possible to increase the capacity of the first pipeline, and also the option to lay a second same diameter pipeline with minimal extra construction is foreseen.^[6]

Total estimated costs of project are €900 million, including €630 million for the offshore section.^[6] The Algerian onshore section of the pipeline is to be constructed by UTE Initec - Spie Capag and the offshore section is to be constructed by Saipem.^[7][8] The offshore section of the pipeline was laid by Castoro Sei, Saipem 7000 and Crawler pipe-laying ships.^[9] Steel pipes are delivered by Nippon Steel, and three compressor trains were supplied by Dresser-Rand.^[5][10] Lloyd's Register would provide pipeline inspection and certification services, including vendor works inspection for the pipeline and equipment and certification for the onshore and offshore pipe lay and the construction of the compressor station.^[1][11]

Project company

The head of the Medgaz company is Pedro Miro. The shareholders of Medgaz consortium:

• Sonatrach (Algeria) - 36 %
• CEPSA (Spain) - 20 %
• Iberdrola (Spain) - 20 %
• Endesa (Spain) - 12 %
• Gaz de France (France) - 12 %^[2][6]

In 2006, BP and Total withdrew from the project.^[7] Spain's Gas Natural may become a partner of the project, taking part of Sonatrach's shares.^[6]

See also

• Trans-Mediterranean Pipeline
• Greenstream pipeline
• GALSI
• Maghreb–Europe Gas Pipeline
• Trans-Saharan gas pipeline

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Lloyd's Register Wins Medgaz Contract". Downstream Today. 2007-04-30. http://www.downstreamtoday.com/News/Articles/200704/Lloyd_s_Register_Wins_Medgaz_Contract_3344.aspx. Retrieved 2008-03-11. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Work Begins On Algeria-Europe Gas Pipeline". Downstream Today. 2008-03-07. http://www.downstreamtoday.com/News/Articles/200803/Work_Begins_On_Algeria_Europe_Gas_Pipeli_9212.aspx. Retrieved 2008-03-11. 
3. ^ "Medgaz wraps up subsea work". Upstream Online (NHST Media Group). 2008-12-23. (subscription required). http://www.upstreamonline.com/live/article168728.ece. Retrieved 2008-12-25. 
4. ^ "Spain now served via Almeria by Algerian gas". Ennahar online. 2011-03-01. http://www.ennaharonline.com/en/economy/5920.html. Retrieved 2011-03-02. 
5. ^ ^{a b} "Dresser-Rand trains to drive Medgaz flows". Upstream Online (NHST Media Group). 2007-06-26. (subscription required). http://www.upstreamonline.com/live/article136134.ece. Retrieved 2008-03-11. 
6. ^ ^{a b c d} "Medgaz boss eyes 2009 start". Upstream Online (NHST Media Group). 2007-04-12. (subscription required). http://www.upstreamonline.com/live/article131075.ece. Retrieved 2010-10-23. 
7. ^ ^{a b} "Medgaz breakthrough". Upstream Online (NHST Media Group). 2007-09-21. (subscription required). http://www.upstreamonline.com/incoming/article141144.ece. Retrieved 2008-03-11. 
8. ^ "Entrepose connects Spie Capag". Upstream Online (NHST Media Group). 2007-05-24. (subscription required). http://www.upstreamonline.com/live/article134126.ece. Retrieved 2008-03-11. 
9. ^ "Update on MEDGAZ offshore pipeline construction works". Steel Guru. 2008-12-28. http://steelguru.com/news/index/2008/12/28/NzY3MjY%3D/Update_on_MEDGAZ_offshore_pipeline_construction_works.html. Retrieved 2010-03-28. 
10. ^ "Nippon lands Medgaz gig". Upstream Online (NHST Media Group). 2007-02-20. (subscription required). http://www.upstreamonline.com/live/asia_oceania/article128060.ece. Retrieved 2008-03-11. 
11. ^ "Lloyd's to run rule over Medgaz". Upstream Online (NHST Media Group). 2007-04-30. (subscription required). http://www.upstreamonline.com/live/article132441.ece. Retrieved 2008-03-11. 

External links

• Medgaz official website