Balticconnector out of operation due to possible leak

Photo: Mihkel Maripuu

Estonian and Finnish system operators have shut down the gas flow through the Balticconnector due to a possible leak, as the pressure in the undersea pipeline between Estonia and Finland dropped in the early hours on Sunday.

The cause of the accident is not known, but the system operators will begin to investigate the circumstances of the incident as soon as possible, Estonian transmission system operator (TSO) Elering said.

The halt of the Balticconnector does not affect the gas supply to Estonian consumers -- after the shutdown of the Balticconnector, gas reaches Estonian consumers from Latvia. Before the shutdown, the Balticconnector was operating from Finland to Estonia. Most of the gas coming from Finland transited on to Latvia.

The undersea section of the Balticconnector, from Paldiski in Estonia to Inkoo in Finland, is 77 kilometers long.

Balticconnector began operations at the start of 2020.