Gas starts flowing to Emden

Germany’s Ruhrgas, Dutch Gasunie, Belgium’s Distrigas and Gaz de France were to transport the gas on from Emden to households and industry on the continent.

To ensure reliable and stable deliveries, two pumping stations along the 440-kilometre route provided additional compression for the 36-inch pipeline.

The actual terminal stood on marshland within the coastal dykes. Since the area was so low-lying, it had to be raised with the aid of spoil dredged from the sea.

A total of 3 000 piles helped to stabilise the ground, while a permanent pumping station eliminated water intrusion. Water, sand and winds all created problems during construction.

When officially opened, the Emden pipeline terminal was one of the largest of its kind and dimensioned to handle 56 million cubic metres of gas per day or 20 billion annually. It had a workforce of 100.

Despite its complex pipework, the facility’s actual process was straightforward. The gas arriving was primarily methane. Sulphur and water were removed to bring it to sales quality, with everything monitored from a fully automated control room.