A subsea gas pipeline and a vital telecoms cable connecting Finland and Estonia have sustained damage, leading officials to suspect deliberate sabotage. The Balticconnector pipeline, spanning 77 kilometers from Inkoo in Finland to Paldiski in Estonia, was temporarily closed due to concerns about gas leakage resulting from a breach in the pipeline.
Finnish President Sauli Niinisto expressed strong suspicions that the damage was a deliberate act of interference. He stated, “It is likely that damage to both the gas pipeline and the communication cable is the result of outside activity.” Niinisto further revealed that he had discussions with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who affirmed NATO’s readiness to assist in the investigation.
Gasgrid, the Finnish operator responsible for the pipeline, anticipates that repairs could extend for several months or longer. The pipeline, which traverses the Gulf of Finland and connects Inkoo to Paldiski, plays a critical role in gas transportation between Estonia and Finland. It helps ensure energy security for both nations by allowing gas to flow to the country in greater need at any given time.
The incident has had repercussions beyond the immediate region, causing UK gas prices to surge. Prices spiked from 12.7% to 123.2p per therm, reaching their highest level in approximately two weeks. The abrupt increase in prices highlights the vulnerability of energy markets to supply disruptions.
As authorities investigate the incident, multiple potential causes are being considered, including sabotage. Estonian gas system operator Elering stated that, for the time being, no potential causes for the damage can be ruled out, and this includes the possibility of deliberate sabotage.
Researchers in Estonia have not reported any seismological activity that could explain an explosion or damage of this nature. The pipeline operators noticed an unusual drop in pressure around 2 a.m. local time, signaling a significant breach in the pipeline.
The Balticconnector pipeline, inaugurated in 2020, holds strategic importance for energy supply in the region, facilitating the transfer of gas between Estonia and Finland. Both countries have reassured their citizens that their energy security remains intact despite the potential gas leak.
This incident bears similarities to the explosions that occurred a little over a year ago on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines in the Baltic Sea, which transported gas from Russia to Germany. Those incidents raised concerns about the security of critical energy infrastructure in the region.
The current situation serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding critical infrastructure, especially in a world where energy security is a paramount concern.
source: with agencies