By Michael Reed, Editor-in-Chief
(P&GJ) – Several major oil and gas pipeline projects are either under construction or planned for completion in Europe, which continues to expand on its footprint to alleviate its dependence on Russia energy.
These projects reflect Europe’s strategic push to diversify supply, enhance energy security and adapt to evolving market and geopolitical realities through significant investment in new and expanded oil and gas pipelines.
Among the more ambitious of these is Poland’s Gas Transmission Expansion, which involves the development of 942 miles (1,516 km) of new gas pipelines by 2028. The completions of the 315 mile (508-km) Poland-Lithuania pipeline and the 165-km Poland-Slovakia, both ready in 2022, demonstrate the nation’s commitment cross-border infrastructure.
Key operators in the push in these projects included Equinor Energy AS, Hanseatic Energy Hub GmbH and Eni SpA.
Additional expansions among other neighboring countries appear to be in the works, as well.
In Italy, an estimated 1,194 miles (1,923 km) of new gas pipelines, including domestic transmission and cross-border connections are being built during the next five years, with Italy looking to become the energy hub of the Mediterranean.
In the U.K., several pipelines are planned through 2028, with much of the focus being on carbon capture and storage (CCS) infrastructure. Specifically, a 90-mile (145-km) offshore pipeline, which will be part of Northern Endurance Partnership (NEP), a U.K. network that will capture and store CO2 from industrial sites, including Teesside.
Additionally, the Liverpool Bay CCS project, a key part of HyNet, has entered the construction phase.
Europe is taking major steps to expand its gas pipeline networks to support gas flows from new LNG terminals, as well. Germany, for instance, is planning to add 355 miles of pipeline over the next few years to accommodate new LNG imports, almost all of which will be high-capacity pipe, with diameters of 39 inches or greater.
The majority of Phase 1 of the Hydrogen Backbone, with significant portions located in France, Germany, Belgium and Austria, is expected to begin operations between 2026 and 2030, with future expansions planned. Many hydrogen pipelines are also being built as part of hydrogen clusters across the continent.
However, among European nations, Greece appears to be involved in a surprising amount of construction, at least from a mileage perspective, developing 1,736 miles (2,795 km) of new pipelines, including the cost-challenged 1,100-mile EastMed Pipeline.
Currently, the projects include major interconnectors with neighboring Balkan states. A notable early breakthrough among these projects was the Gas Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB), which began operations in October 2022.
Cyprus is looking to start production from offshore gas fields, potentially in 2026 or 2027. The plans could include pipelines connecting to a proposed LNG terminal in Greece. The development of these resources is crucial for enhancing the gas supply in Europe in the coming years.
Additionally, Germany, which is now a top LNG importer, is moving rapidly to build pipeline infrastructure to connect new LNG terminals, such as Wilhelmshaven, to its national grid and neighboring countries.
Middle East
In the Middle East, most new pipelines will be shorter and connect new fields across the region to existing pipeline networks.
Major oil and gas pipelines are in the works for the Middle East, with Saudi Aramco planning to spend $10 billion expanding its Master Gas System Expansion (MGS-3).
The effort will involve 15 new gas transportation pipelines across the country and boost Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, along with domestic industrial growth. The bulk of the pipelines are expected online by 2027.
Additionally, Saudi Aramco will expand the East-West Pipeline to increase crude oil and gas transport capacity between the Gulf and Red Sea coasts. The effort supports both export flexibility and domestic supply security.
Iran is in the process of developing the Farzad-B Gas Field. Under a $1.78 billion (€1.56 billion) agreement with Saudi Arabia, Iran plans to build an onshore pipeline along with offshore platforms that are designed to produce 28 MMcm/d of sour gas and 5,000 bpd of condensate.
In addition, Iran is building a $227 million (€200 million) Salaman Field pipeline from the Salman offshore platform to Siri Island. The project is part of wider efforts to enhance recovery and transport from the shared fields in the Persian Gulf.
In the Belal Gas Field, Iran will develop a pipeline to deliver 14.2 MMcm/d of raw gas and 15,000 bpd of condensate. The pipeline is expected to come online in 2028.
Also, The Arab Gas Pipeline, which transports Egyptian natural gas to Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, recently signed agreements to continue the supply through 2028. This includes supplying electricity generators in Israel.
Asia/Africa
The proposed Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline is an ambitious 3,515-mile (5,660-km) pipeline that would bring Nigerian gas to Spain by way of Morocco, providing an import route for Europe. The project is still in the proposal and planning stage and has a long-term timeline.
Also, the Trans-Anatolian Gas Pipeline (TANAP) capacity expansion is underway, involving Georgia, Türkiye and Greece, in an effort to boost gas flows into southeastern Europe.
In India, the Mumbai-Nagpur-Jharsuguda Pipeline, originally expected to be completed in 2023 is currently delayed until 2025. It was designed to expand gas infrastructure in central India.
Additionally, problems aside, India’s pipeline expansion remains exceptional. Construction on IGGL’s North East Gas Grid continues, and the pipeline system is expected to be fully commissioned in 2025.
Another project of note involves the renewed negotiations between Kenya and Uganda on possibly revival of the stalled refined oil pipeline extension project from Eldoret in western Kenya to Uganda’s capital Kampala, where a new dedicated terminal receipt facility is be constructed.
The proposed 12-inch, 217-mile (350-km) oil products pipeline was conceived in 1995 under the Joint Co-Ordinating Commission and was set up through an MOI between the two countries. The project would allow an extension of the network from Kampala to Rwanda’s capital Kigali, covering an additional 275 miles (434 km).
Australia
Australia has several major projects and expansions expected to be completed by 2028.
The Australian government and industry are prioritizing the development and expansion of gas pipeline infrastructure to secure domestic supply and support exports, particularly in response to projected gas shortfalls on the East Coast.
The most ambitious is the 510-mile (820-km) Queensland Hunter Gas Pipeline, which will run from Wallumbilla gas hub in Queensland to Newcastle in New South Wales.
Phase 1 of the project is expected to be operational this year with Phase 2 online in 2026. There are plans for a mainline twinning project, potentially adding 600-700 terajoules per day of capacity, with infrastructure targeted for completion by 2028.
Also, the Dorado Oil Development, while primarily an offshore oil project, includes planned infrastructure that may connect to existing or new pipelines, with installation targeted for 2027.
Additionally, pipeline expansions and upgrades are tentatively planned to enable gas transportation to demand centers in Victoria and South Australia. These expansions are considered critical to address forecast supply shortfalls and ensure reliable delivery, especially to southern states. P&GJ