With a length of 216 km, the ZEELINK natural gas pipeline is one of the most significant infrastructure projects in Germany in recent years. Since 2021, it has ensured a reliable gas supply in the western part of the country, bolstering energy infrastructure for the long-term. Mannesmann Grossrohr made a key contribution by supplying all the large-diameter pipes for this major project. A top-performing, future-proof pipeline was created thanks to the highest technological standards and close collaboration within the Group.
A Major Project of Record Proportions
Mannesmann Grossrohr supplied all the pipes for the approximately 216 km long natural gas pipeline – one of the largest pipeline projects in Germany and, at the same time, one of the largest projects in the history of Mannesmann Grossrohr GmbH.
ZEELINK Projekt Company is a joint venture between Open Grid Europe GmbH and Thyssengas GmbH. OGE was responsible for the planning and construction of the pipeline.
Highest Technical Standards
The spiral-welded large-diameter pipes (DN 1000) were manufactured to meet stringent strength and toughness requirements and feature a special PE coating – designed to be long-lasting and for safe use under demanding conditions, such as the challenging culvert under the River Rhine.
The Rhine Riverbed Culvert
525 meters long and weighing 1,050 t: The culvert is part of the ZEELINK pipeline and runs under the Rhine between Wallach and Ork near Wesel. The steel pipes for this section have a wall thickness of 17 mm and are additionally protected from damage and buoyancy by an 18 cm thick concrete casing. The culvert runs beneath the riverbed of the Rhine. To achieve this, a channel was created in the riverbed, into which the culvert was pulled using a winch.
From Strip to Pipe: Stronger together
The approximately 100,000 t of hot-rolled wide strip used as starting material for the large-diameter spiral-welded pipes were supplied by our Group partner, Salzgitter Flachstahl. The 543 pipe bends for the pipeline were produced at the Group’s own pipe bending plant in Mülheim, which processes large-diameter longitudinal seam-welded line pipes made from feedstock supplied by Salzgitter Mannesmann Grobblech GmbH.
