Was it sabotage?
Natural gas pipeline in Schleswig-Holstein largely repaired
January 9, 2024, 3:01 p.m
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The new natural gas pipeline in Schleswig-Holstein caused millions in damage, presumably due to wanton destruction. The Federal Prosecutor’s Office is investigating suspicions of unconstitutional sabotage. At least most of the damage has now been repaired.
According to the operator Gasunie, the suspected sabotage damage to the new natural gas pipeline in Schleswig-Holstein has largely been repaired. The Federal Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the initial suspicion of unconstitutional sabotage.
At the end of November 2023, several leaks were found during a pressure test on the pipeline under construction in the Pinneberg area, which were due to external intervention, the company said. The approximately 55 kilometer long line connects the terminal for liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Brunsbüttel (Dithmarschen district) with the existing nationwide gas network.
Initially, the newspapers of the Schleswig-Holstein newspaper publishing house reported that unknown people had drilled small holes in the pipe. The “Spiegel” reported at least eight holes and estimated damage of at least 1.6 million euros. The Federal Prosecutor’s Office did not comment on the ongoing proceedings.
Gasunie said it informed the police immediately after discovering the leaks. “The responsible authorities are investigating in all directions,” said a spokesman. All defects on the approximately 55 kilometer long line have now been located and the majority have already been repaired. The final repairs are expected to be carried out in the coming days, weather permitting.
The general contractor will resume work after the planned interruption at the turn of the year in order to lay the remaining approximately 300 meters of pipe length. Once the line is completed, it will undergo additional inspection. “We plan to have the line operational in February,” the company said. The current maximum possible LNG quantities from the floating terminal in Brunsbüttel are still being fed in via a gas pipeline around three kilometers long between the LNG terminal and the regional gas distribution network in Schleswig-Holstein.