Trans Europa Naturgas Pipeline
| Trans Europa Naturgas Pipeline | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Country | Germany |
| General direction | north–south |
| From | Aachen |
| Passes through | Stolberg Mittelbrunn |
| To | Schwörstadt |
| General information | |
| Type | natural gas |
| Partners | Fluxys Open Grid Europe |
| Operator | Fluxys TENP GmbH |
| Construction started | 1972 |
| Commissioned | 1974 |
| Technical information | |
| Length | 968 km (601 mi) |
| Maximum discharge | 15.5 billion cubic meters per year |
| Diameter | 950 mm (37 in) |
| No. of compressor stations | 4 |
The Trans Europa Naturgas Pipeline (TENP) is a natural gas pipeline which runs from the German-Netherlands border to the German-Swiss border. It carries North Sea natural gas from the Netherlands to Italy and Switzerland. It also provides natural gas for North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Baden-Württemberg federal states.
History
The TENP was built in 1972–1974,[1] and upgraded in 1978 and 2009.
Route
The pipeline runs from the German-Netherlands border near Aachen to the German-Swiss border near Schwörstadt. In the German-Swiss border it is connected with the Transitgas Pipeline.[1] En route, in Stolberg the pipeline is connected with the pipeline from Zeebrugge and in Mittelbrunn it is connected with the transport system of the MEGAL pipeline system which transports Russian natural gas from the German-Czech border to German regions and France.
Technical features
The length of the pipeline is 968 kilometres (601 mi)[1] and it runs in two lines. It has a capacity of 15.5 billion cubic meters per year which the operator intends to increase by 2 billion cubic meters per year.[2] The diameter of pipeline varies from 900 to 950 millimetres (35 to 37 in). The pipeline comprises four compressor stations.
Company
The pipeline is owned and operated by Trans Europa Naturgas Pipeline GmbH & Co. KG, a joint venture of Open Grid Europe (51%) and Fluxys (49%). It is operated by Open Grid Europe.
Antitrust case
Since 2007, the European Commission has been probing Eni's alleged restrictive practices on the TAG, Transitgas and TENP pipelines by limiting third parties access to the pipelines.[3] The hearing is set for 27 November 2007.[4]
References
- ^ a b c Makholm, Jeff D. (2007). "Seeking Competition and Supply Security in Natural Gas. The US Experience and European Challenge" (PDF). National Economic Research Associates, Inc. European Regulation Forum on Supply Activities: 12. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- ^ "Activities of Eni in Germany. Transportation of Hydrocarbons". Eni. Retrieved 2009-11-13.
- ^ Biondi, Paolo (2009-03-20). "Italy says Eni pipeline case is a security issue". Reuters. Retrieved 2009-11-13.
- ^ Foo Yun Chee (2009-11-04). "Eni antitrust hearing set for Nov 27 - EU". Reuters. Retrieved 2009-11-13.
