Trans-Mediterranean Pipeline
Encyclopedia
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
.
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
The first phase of pipeline was constructed in 1978-1983 and second phase in 1991-1994. The capacity of the pipeline was doubled in 1994. In 2000, the gas pipeline was named after Enrico Mattei
.
field in Algeria and runs 550 kilometres (341.8 mi) to Tunisian border. In Tunisia, pipeline runs for 370 kilometres (229.9 mi) to El Haouaria
, in the Cap Bon
region, after which it across the 155 kilometres (96.3 mi)-wide Channel of Sicily. It landfalls in Mazara del Vallo
in Sicily. From there, the pipeline continues 340 kilometres (211.3 mi) in Sicily, 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) across the Strait of Messina
and 1055 kilometres (655.5 mi) in Italian mainland to northern Italy with branch to Slovenia.
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. 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 (508 mm) and two lines with diameter of 26 inches (660.4 mm). In Italy, the diameter of two lines varies between 42 inches (1,066.8 mm) and 48 inches (1,219.2 mm).
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.
. 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.
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
via Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
to Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
and thence to mainland Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. An extension of the TransMed pipeline delivers Algerian gas to Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
.
History
The pipeline from Algeria to Italy was proposed in 1960s. A preliminary feasibility study was conducted in 1969 and the firstroute survey in 1970. In 1974–75, a technical tests of laying pipes in the Mediterranean Sea
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
were carried out. In 1977, supply and transit agreements were signed
The first phase of pipeline was constructed in 1978-1983 and second phase in 1991-1994. The capacity of the pipeline was doubled in 1994. In 2000, the gas pipeline was named after Enrico Mattei
Enrico Mattei
Enrico Mattei was an Italian public administrator. After World War II he was given the task of dismantling the Italian Petroleum Agency Agip, a state enterprise established by the Fascist regime. Instead Mattei enlarged and reorganized it into the National Fuel Trust Ente Nazionale Idrocarburi...
.
Route
The pipeline begins from the Hassi R'melHassi R'mel
Hassi R'Mel is a town in Algeria located near the 18th largest gas field worldwide. Hassi R'Mel is located in Laghouat Province northwest of Ghardaïa. It is the capital of Hassi R'Mel District. Hass R'Mel has an airport....
field in Algeria and runs 550 kilometres (341.8 mi) to Tunisian border. In Tunisia, pipeline runs for 370 kilometres (229.9 mi) to El Haouaria
El Haouaria
El Haouaria is a coastal town and commune in the Nabeul Governorate, Tunisia. As of 2004 it had a population of 9,273.-References:...
, in the Cap Bon
Cap Bon
Cap Bon , also Watan el-kibli, is a peninsula in far northeastern Tunisia. It is located at around . It is surrounded by the Gulf of Tunis in the north. Towns located on the peninsula include Nabeul, Kelibia and Menzel Temime. The ruins of the Punic town Kerkouane are located here....
region, after which it across the 155 kilometres (96.3 mi)-wide Channel of Sicily. It landfalls in Mazara del Vallo
Mazara del Vallo
Mazara del Vallo is a town and comune in southwestern Sicily, Italy, which lies mainly on the left bank at the mouth of the Mazaro river, administratively part of the province of Trapani....
in Sicily. From there, the pipeline continues 340 kilometres (211.3 mi) in Sicily, 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) across the Strait of Messina
Strait of Messina
The Strait of Messina is the narrow passage between the eastern tip of Sicily and the southern tip of Calabria in the south of Italy. It connects the Tyrrhenian Sea with the Ionian Sea, within the central Mediterranean...
and 1055 kilometres (655.5 mi) in Italian mainland to northern Italy with branch to Slovenia.
Technical description
The Algerian section consists of a compressor station and two lines with 48 inches (1,219.2 mm) diameter. The Tunisian section consists of three compressor stations and two lines with 48 inches (1,219.2 mm) diameter. In 2007, Italian contractor SaipemSaipem
Saipem S.p.A. is an Italian oil and gas industry contractor. It is a subsidiary of Italian energy company Eni, which owns approximately 43% of Saipem's shares. Saipem has contracted for designing and constructing several pipelines, including Blue Stream, Greenstream, Nord Stream and South...
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. 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 (508 mm) and two lines with diameter of 26 inches (660.4 mm). In Italy, the diameter of two lines varies between 42 inches (1,066.8 mm) and 48 inches (1,219.2 mm).
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.
Operators
Algerian section is operated by Algerian state-owned company SonatrachSonatrach
Sonatrach is an Algerian government-owned company formed to exploit the hydrocarbon resources of the country. Its diversified activities cover all aspects of production: exploration, extraction, transport, and refining...
. 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
Eni
Eni S.p.A. is an Italian multinational oil and gas company, present in 70 countries, and currently Italy's largest industrial company with a market capitalization of 87.7 billion euros , as of July 24, 2008...
and Sonatrach. The Italian section is operated by Eni's subsidiary Snam Rete Gas.
See also
- MedgazMedgazMedgaz is a submarine natural gas pipeline between Algeria and Spain.-History:The idea of building a direct gas pipeline between Algeria and Europe arose in the 1970s. However, the technical limitations at that time prevented the construction and operation of an ultra deepwater gas pipeline...
- GALSIGALSIGALSI is a planned natural gas pipeline from Algeria to Sardinia and further northern Italy.-History:The feasibility study was completed in 2005...
- Greenstream pipelineGreenstream pipelineThe Greenstream pipeline, part of the Western Libyan Gas Project, is a natural gas submarine pipeline from Libya to Italy.-History:The idea of natural gas from Libya to Italy originating from the 1970s. Feasibility studies were carried out in the 1980s and 1990s. Construction of the pipeline...
- Maghreb–Europe Gas Pipeline
- Trans-Saharan gas pipeline