Trans-Mediterranean Pipeline

Trans-Mediterranean Pipeline
Location of Trans-Mediterranean Pipeline
Location
Country	Algeria, Tunisia, Italy
General direction	south-north
From	Hassi R'Mel, Algeria
Passes through	Tunisia, Mediterranean Sea
To	Italy
General information
Type	natural gas
Partners	Sonatrach, Sotugat, Eni
Operator	Sonatrach, Sergaz, TMPC,
Commissioned	1983
Technical information
Length	2,475 km (1,538 mi)
Maximum discharge	30.2 billion cubic metres per annum (1.07×10^12 cu ft/a)

The Trans-Mediterranean Pipeline (TransMed; also Enrico Mattei gas pipeline) is a natural gas pipeline from Algeria via Tunisia to Sicily and thence to mainland Italy. An extension of the TransMed pipeline delivers Algerian gas to Slovenia.

History

The pipeline from Algeria to Italy was proposed in 1960s. A preliminary feasibility study was conducted in 1969 and the first route survey in 1970. In 1974–75, a technical tests of laying pipes in the Mediterranean Sea were carried out. In 1977, supply and transit agreements were signed.^[1]

The first phase of pipeline was constructed in 1978-1983 and second phase in 1991-1994.^[2] The capacity of the pipeline was doubled in 1994. In 2000, the gas pipeline was named after Enrico Mattei.

In the fall of 1997, a terrorist attack severed the pipeline in Algeria for five days.^[1] The pipeline was listed under the Critical Foreign Dependencies Initiative by the United States in a diplomatic cable leaked to Wikileaks.^[3]

On February 28, 2010, a new 549-kilometre (341 mi) section was completed in Bir El Ater, Tebessa Province, which was expected to increase transport capacity by 7 billion cubic metres per annum (250 billion cubic feet per annum).^[4]

Route

The pipeline begins from the Hassi R'mel field in Algeria and runs 550 kilometres (340 mi) to Tunisian border. In Tunisia, pipeline runs for 370 kilometres (230 mi) to El Haouaria, in the Cap Bon region, after which it across the 155-kilometre (96 mi)-wide Channel of Sicily.^[1][2] It landfalls in Mazara del Vallo in Sicily. From there, the pipeline continues 340 kilometres (210 mi) in Sicily, 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) across the Strait of Messina and 1,055 kilometres (656 mi) in Italian mainland to northern Italy with branch to Slovenia.^[1]

Technical description

The Algerian section consists of a compressor station and two lines with 48 inches (1,220 mm) diameter. The Tunisian section consists of three compressor stations and two lines with 48 inches (1,220 mm) diameter.^[1][2] In 2007, Italian contractor Saipem was awarded a contract two new compressor station and upgrading existing compressor stations allowing to increase the capacity of Tunisian section by 6.5 bcm.^[5] The royalties for the gas transport received by Tunisia are 5.25 — 6.75 percent value of the transported gas. The offshore section across Channel of Sicily consists three lines with diameter of 20 inches (510 mm) and two lines with diameter of 26 inches (660 mm). In Italy, the diameter of two lines varies between 42 inches (1,070 mm) and 48 inches (1,220 mm).^[2]

The current capacity of pipeline is 30.2 billion cubic meter (bcm) of natural gas per year. There are plans to expand the capacity up to 33.5 bcm by 2012.^[6]

Operators

Algerian section is operated by Algerian state-owned company Sonatrach. The Tunisian section is owned by Sotugat (Société Tunisienne du Gazoduc Trans-tunisien) and operated by Sergaz. The section across the Channel of Sicily is operated by TMPC, a joint venture of Eni and Sonatrach. The Italian section is operated by Eni's subsidiary Snam Rete Gas.

See also

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

References