Medgaz
The Medgaz pipeline, also called gas pipeline Hassi R'Mel - Almería, is a 757 km long natural gas pipeline that runs between the gas field, Hassi R'Mel in Algeria and the Spanish mainland on the coast of Almeria, Spain.
History
The first ideas to build a direct gas pipeline between Algeria and Europe emerged in the 1970s. However, the technical limitations prevented then the construction and operation of a gas pipeline in deep water.
2001 Medgaz pipeline company was founded. The feasibility study was conducted in 2002-2003 by the " Sociedad para el Estudio y construir el Gasoducto Argelia Europe, vía España, SA".
Construction began on March 7, 2008 in Almeria. The laying of the undersea route was completed in December 2008. The pipeline was officially opened on March 1, 2011, and connected with the Spanish secondary pipeline Almería - Albacete gas pipeline. The underwater track was taken from " Lloyd 's Register España SA " and certified.
Specifications
The length of the Algerian pipeline which runs over land is 547 km and the offshore portion leading from the Algerian coastal town of Beni Saf beach to the Spanish side of Almeria is 210 km long, the deepest point is 2160 meters. The tube diameter of country pipeline is 48 inches ( 1220 mm) and the pipes in the deep waters have a diameter of 24 inches (610 mm). The transport volume is approximately 8 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year.
The pipes supplied Nippon Steel and the compressor plant was built at Dresser-Rand. Pipeline laying ship was Castoro Sei and as a working vessel Saipem 7000 was used.
Project partners
Estimated total cost of the project with around 900 million euros, including 630 million euros for the offshore area, called.