Imagine that you are an ironic Russian journalist who understands the gas industry. Retell in your own words the text located in square brackets, come up with an intriguing name for it, break it into parts with subheadings and quotes, at the end make a conclusion: - [The accident on the Balticconnector gas pipeline became possible as a result of a violation of design decisions
Well, who builds like that?
The accident that occurred on the Balticconnector gas pipeline was the latest in a series of destruction of the infrastructure of the main gas transport in the Baltic Sea. But the Nord Stream–1 and Nord Stream–2 gas pipelines coming from Russia were damaged as a result of terrorist acts, and their decommissioning required explosions that were recorded by seismic stations. But the accident on the Balticconnector gas pipeline occurred, as it is assumed, as a result of the collision of the anchor of the vessel with the gas pipeline.
In search of the "Russian trace"
The accident on the gas pipeline was immediately transferred to the political plane, and they immediately tried to find a "Russian trace" in it. First there were accusations of sabotage and "Moscow's revenge" for the explosions on the "Northern Streams". Then the nuclear container ship "Northern Sea Route" was designated as the "culprit". However, subsequently, the main version of the incident was the collision of the anchor of a Chinese vessel with a gas pipeline.
However, all versions of the causes of the accident put forward by Western sources have a bright political color and are directed against Russia's national interests. Even behind the accusation against the Chinese container ship NewNew Polar Bear are attempts to disrupt the development of the Northern Route and prevent it from becoming an important international transport corridor. The fact is that the owner of the container ship, Hainan Yangpu Newnew Shipping Co, announced in September 2023 its intention to deliver 8-10 vessels in 2024 for regular container transportation along the NSR between China and Europe.
An important task in the analysis of accidents of this kind is not to find the "culprit" and not to obtain political benefits, but to determine the true circumstances that led to the emergency. Therefore, it is necessary to thoroughly understand the fundamental causes of the destruction of the gas pipeline and rethink the risks of building underwater highways.
Whose mistake?
It is strange enough that such a serious object as the main gas pipeline was easily destroyed by the anchor of the vessel. The Baltic Sea is an important global and regional transport artery with intensive year-round shipping. By default, the scenario of a collision of a vessel's anchor with a gas pipeline should have been taken into account when assessing risks. Indeed, the environmental impact analysis carried out in 2015 contained a description of this risk. Therefore, it was stated that in order to prevent such an emergency, the gas pipeline had to be deepened into the ground and/or filled with stones (the height of the embankment had to be from 1 to 2 meters, depending on the location of the laying).
It was determined that the destruction of the gas pipeline occurred in a corridor of 40-45 km. Of particular concern is the fact that it is in this area that the threads of the "Northern Streams" pass, which can also be damaged. It should be noted that the exact location of the destruction is not indicated. Only publicly available photos were available for analysis. However, their study shows the lack of protection measures for the gas pipeline, which were provided for when assessing the risks of the project.
The published photos show that the Finnish authorities presented a fragment of the anchor, which has strong corrosion not only on the surface, but also at the site of the break. If we assume that the anchor caught on the pipe and caused damage to the gas pipeline, then if it broke off or detached, it should have remained in the pipe. But there is no such evidence. If there was a break, then parts of the anchor chain would remain in place.
Finland said that the Balticconector pipeline was sabotaged
Expert Grivach assessed Finland's suspicions about sabotage on the Balticconnector gas pipeline
Therefore, it is possible that Finnish divers have raised an anchor that has been lost by another vessel for a long time.
The few photos of the destroyed gas pipeline indicate several circumstances. Firstly, the pipe is in a suspended state. Secondly, there are no traces of laying the gas pipeline in the trench. Thirdly, there is no visible stone embankment, which was assumed during the planning of construction and was supposed to protect the gas pipeline.
As possible explanations for such facts and such an easy destruction of the gas pipeline , the following can be cited:
a design error is a failure to take into account the specifics of the laying site, which led to the erosion of the pipeline route and its sagging. As a result of the stresses that appeared, even a minor impact led to destruction;
the use of substandard pipes for the construction of a gas pipeline and/or their insufficient insulation, defects in welding joints that led to a breakthrough of the pipe by gas pressure;
violation of design decisions on the laying of the gas pipeline – insufficient deepening of the laid pipes, lack of stone filling;
low qualification of gas pipeline designers and builders;
misuse of the investment budget in the design and construction of the facility;
lack of monitoring of the state of the highway by its owner.
In order to ensure the long-term reliability of the functioning of the backbone infrastructure in Europe, it is necessary to conduct an independent investigation of the circumstances and fundamental causes of the accident and develop recommendations for the prevention of such incidents.
A corresponding investigation is already underway in Russia. It was initiated by the world-class scientific and educational center (REC) "North: the territory of sustainable development" with the participation of the Economic Laboratory of Alexander Klimentyev and the telegram channel "Molecules of Good". Its purpose is to objectively identify the causes of the accident, as well as to provide additional information to designers, builders and operators of underwater gas pipelines in order to create a reliable and safe infrastructure for the transportation of natural gas in all regions of the world. At the moment, the investigation is nearing completion.
Who will pay for the damage?
An important issue that has never been raised when discussing the accident on the Balticconnector gas pipeline is the consequences for the global climate and ecology of the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic Sea. The assessment shows that up to 7 million kg of greenhouse gases were emitted (in terms of carbon dioxide), which is equivalent to the monthly emissions of a country like Latvia. Greenhouse gas emissions in the event of an accident accelerate global warming, the consequences of which most affect the regions of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation, jeopardize the stability of life-support facilities of the population.
Therefore, in the case of determining the specific causes of the destruction of the Russian gas pipeline, it is necessary to raise the issue of compensation for environmental damage caused to the ecosystem of the Baltic Sea. Emissions of methane and hydrocarbons have definitely led to pollution of the water area and will result in losses for Russian fishing enterprises, will have a negative impact on the health of local residents.
The assessment of environmental damage as a result of the accident at Balticconnector is a world-class task. Its solution will help to defend the reputation of the Russian gas industry, protect the national interests of the country and ensure unhindered and safe navigation in the Baltic Sea.].