Amber Grid, the gas transmission system operator, has signed an agreement with the Lithuanian Business Support Agency (LVPA) to reconstruct above-ground and underground sections of high-pressure trunk gas pipelines in various parts of Lithuania. The contract also opens up the possibility to increase the technological advancement of the pipeline by installing innovative infrastructure elements such as corrosion rate sensors.
The project is worth more than EUR 4 million. Half of this amount, more than EUR 2 million, will be financed by the EU Structural Funds. The project will be completed by the second half of 2023.
“Upgrading the gas pipeline network by integrating the latest technologies will not only allow for more efficient remote monitoring of important indicators, but will also help to identify problematic pipeline locations in time. Safe and reliable operation of the transmission system, with proper maintenance of the gas network, is one of our top priorities,” said Andrius Dagys, Technical Director of Amber Grid.
The project involves the reconstruction of nearly 300 metres of above-ground sections of main gas pipelines and 3.6 km of insufficiently buried gas pipeline sections. Above-ground crossings of natural barriers, such as streams or drainage canals, for gas transmission were installed 30-60 years ago. The sections of the pipeline that are not sufficiently buried are the result of natural causes such as ground frost or farm activities. Normally, the main gas pipeline is installed at a depth of 0.8-1.5 metres underground.
The aim of this project is to modernise the natural gas transmission system, using smart technologies to increase the safety and reliability of the natural gas transmission system in the districts of Alytus, Vilkaviškis, Kaišiadorys, Elektrėnai, Panevėžys, Pasvalys and Rietavas. The upgraded sections of the gas pipelines will be equipped with state-of-the-art technologies – innovative corrosion rate sensors will be installed in the gas pipelines to remotely monitor the condition of the gas pipeline. The new technological solutions will make pipeline maintenance more efficient, prolong the life of the infrastructure and ensure the safety of the gas transmission system.
The Lithuanian gas transmission system consists of 2,115 km of high-pressure gas pipelines, 65 gas distribution stations and two gas compressor stations in the districts of Širvintos and Panevėžys. Another 165 km of gas pipelines are currently being installed as part of the Lithuanian-Polish gas interconnector GIPL project, which will connect Lithuania, as well as the Baltic States and Finland, to the Western European gas transmission system.
