Pipeline research

Overview of European Pipelines for Gas and Oil Transport

Europe has an extensive network of pipelines that transport natural gas and crude oil across the continent, ensuring energy supply security. These pipelines connect production fields (domestic and foreign) with refineries, storage facilities, and distribution networks.

1. Natural Gas Pipelines

Europe relies heavily on gas imports, primarily from Russia, Norway, Algeria, and LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) suppliers. Key pipelines include:

A. Russian Gas Pipelines (Historically Major Suppliers)

• Nord Stream 1 (Now inactive due to geopolitical issues)

  Route: Russia → Germany (Baltic Sea)  
  Capacity: 55 billion cubic meters (bcm)/year  

• Nord Stream 2 (Completed but never operational due to sanctions)

  Route: Same as Nord Stream 1  
  Capacity: 55 bcm/year  

• Yamal-Europe Pipeline

  Route: Russia → Belarus → Poland → Germany  
  Capacity: 33 bcm/year  

• TurkStream

  Route: Russia → Turkey → Southeast Europe  
  Capacity: 31.5 bcm/year (split between Turkey & EU)  

• Ukrainian Transit Routes (Still operational but reduced)

  Includes: Brotherhood (Soyuz) & Progress pipelines  
  Route: Russia → Ukraine → Slovakia → Central Europe  

B. Non-Russian Gas Pipelines

• Southern Gas Corridor (Azerbaijan to Europe)

  Includes: Trans-Anatolian (TANAP) & Trans-Adriatic (TAP)  
  Route: Azerbaijan → Turkey → Greece → Albania → Italy  
  Capacity: 10 bcm/year (expandable to 20 bcm)  

• Norwegian Pipelines

  Langeled Pipeline (Norway → UK) – Europe's longest subsea pipeline  
  Europipe I & II (Norway → Germany)  

• Algerian Pipelines

  Trans-Mediterranean (TransMed) – Algeria → Tunisia → Sicily → Italy  
  Maghreb-Europe (GME) – Algeria → Morocco → Spain (now mostly defunct)  
  Medgaz – Direct Algeria-Spain subsea pipeline  

• LNG Import Terminals + Pipelines

  Key LNG hubs: UK, Spain, France, Netherlands, Italy  
  Pipelines distribute regasified LNG into the grid

2. Crude Oil Pipelines

Europe's oil pipeline network connects ports, refineries, and production zones (North Sea, Russia, Caspian).

Key Oil Pipelines

• Druzhba Pipeline (Friendship Pipeline)

  Longest in Europe (4,000 km)  
  Route: Russia → Belarus → Poland/Germany & Ukraine → Hungary/Czech/Slovakia  
  Capacity: ~1 million barrels/day  

• Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) Pipeline

  Brings Caspian oil to Europe  
  Route: Azerbaijan → Georgia → Turkey (Ceyhan port)  

• North Sea Pipelines

  Forties Pipeline System (UK) – Connects offshore fields to Scotland  
  Oseberg & Troll Pipelines (Norway) – Transport to European markets  

• South European Pipelines

  Trans-Alpine (TAL) – Trieste (Italy) → Germany  
  CPC Pipeline – Caspian oil to Black Sea  

3. Future & Alternative Pipeline Projects

1. EastMed Pipeline (Proposed) – Israel/Cyprus → Greece → Italy
2. Baltic Pipe (Operational 2022) – Norway → Denmark → Poland
3. Green Hydrogen Pipelines – Future projects to replace fossil gas

Conclusion

Europe's pipeline network is crucial for energy security but is undergoing changes due to geopolitical shifts (reduced Russian reliance) and green energy transitions. New LNG terminals and alternative gas/oil routes are being prioritized.