This high-pressure pipeline is a perfect example of the transformation of Germany’s energy supply: With a capacity of up to six billion cubic meters of natural gas, it connects the LNG terminal in Wilhelmshaven to the gas network of northwestern Germany via a 70 km pipeline, laying the groundwork to supply up to four million households.
Record Speed for the Energy Transition
In a very short time, Mannesmann delivered approximately 4,100 pipes in the DN 600 size range, in lengths of 18 and 12 meters. The pipes were transported by rail from the Hamm plant to Sande and Leer and then distributed to the pipe storage sites along the pipeline. This helped reduce CO₂ emissions during transport.
About the Project
The construction of Germany’s first LNG terminal in Wilhelmshaven in 2022 marked an important step toward energy independence. Since then, regasified liquefied natural gas has been fed into the Etzel gas storage facility via a 3.3-kilometer-long high-pressure pipeline. EWE Netz GmbH then constructed the 70 km long “Pipeline of the Future” to connect the terminal to the gas network of northwestern Germany.
Ready for the Infrastructure of Tomorrow
Thanks to the use of our Mannesmann H2ready® pipes, the high-pressure pipeline is not only a major milestone in ensuring current supply security, but also a key element in a climate-neutral energy future. Plans are also in place to begin storing and distributing hydrogen starting in 2028.
We are proud that our steel pipes are helping to secure Germany’s energy supply. We can quickly ramp up production capacity and respond flexibly. The pipes are H2-ready – meaning that green hydrogen can also be fed through them at a later date.
Andreas Betzler | Commercial Director at Mannesmann Line Pipe
Logistics as a Key Success Factor
The delivery of steel pipes totaling approximately 80 km in length was made possible thanks to a sophisticated logistics plan. Instead of thousands of truck shipments, we relied on efficient rail logistics using complete freight trains – a decisive advantage in terms of the schedule, environmental impact, and construction site coordination.