Wilhelmshaven LNG terminal: OGE plans to build pipeline link by end of 2022

• Important step towards becoming independent from Russian gas as soon as possible
• Pipeline will be almost 30 km long and hydrogen-ready
• Further capacity expansion planned for gas infrastructure in the region.

Gas transmission system operator OGE is planning to build the Wilhelmshaven Pipeline Link (WAL) to connect the LNG terminal in Wilhelmshaven to its gas transmission system by the end of 2022. Completion of the pipeline is a joint task for German industry. However, conditions will have to be right for the project to meet the tight deadline. The pipeline will be just under 30 km long. It will have a diameter of about one metre (DN 1000) and an initial annual capacity of 10 billion cubic metres. The end point will be the NETRA transmission pipeline near the Etzel gas storage facility. The NETRA tie-in will allow the gas to be shipped from the North Sea coast to the south and east of the country, which will see a decline of Russian gas imports. The pipeline will be designed to allow conversion to pure hydrogen at a future point in time.

Dr Thomas Hüwener, Technical Director of OGE, said: "We have to become independent from Russian gas as quickly as possible. The planned gas infrastructure in the Wilhelmshaven region secures a reliable and affordable gas supply from other sources and will thus help to ensure social peace and security of supply."

Dr Jörg Bergmann, CEO of OGE, added: "In addition to this urgent short-term goal, we must also consistently pursue our long-term goal, which is to expand renewables and encourage the switch to green gases, especially hydrogen. We will only succeed if society, politics and business pull together."

WAL is the first step towards a further capacity increase in the region

In addition to the newbuild WAL pipeline project, there are plans to further invest in the region's gas infrastructure. Overall, additional newbuild and expansion projects could help to gradually increase gas infrastructure capacities to as much as 28 billion cubic metres per year over the next few years.