The gas pipeline and telecom cable connecting Finland and Estonia suffered damage due to an ‘external activity’.
Finnish officials stated on Tuesday that the damage to a gas pipeline and telecommunications cable connecting Finland and Estonia seems to have been caused by an “external activity.” They mentioned that an investigation is currently underway.
On Sunday, the gas system operators of Finland and Estonia observed an atypical decrease in pressure within the Balticconnector pipeline, leading them to halt the gas flow.
On Tuesday, the Finnish government reported that both the gas pipeline and the telecommunications cable connecting the two NATO countries had suffered damage.
During a news conference on Tuesday, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo refrained from labeling the pipeline leak as sabotage. However, he stated that it was unlikely to have been caused by normal operations.
Orpo stated that based on an initial evaluation, the observed damage is unlikely to have been caused by regular pipe usage or pressure changes. It is probable that the damage was caused by external factors.
The leak is being investigated by Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation, led by Orpo. The incident took place within Finland’s economic zone. Estonian authorities believe that the damaged section of the data cable belongs to Elisa, a Finnish mobile operator and Internet service provider, and is likely situated within Estonia’s economic zone. Estonia’s military is conducting its own investigation into the matter.
Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur informed journalists in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, that Estonian authorities have received photographic evidence indicating that the damage to the Balticconnector is a result of human actions and mechanical causes.
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On Tuesday, Heidi Soosalu, a seismologist from the Estonian Geological Service, informed the Estonian public broadcaster ERR that there were no indications of explosions recorded by seismic stations in Estonia or Finland during the suspected leak incident of the Balticconnector.
The incident comes just over a year after the Nord Stream gas pipelines running between Germany and Russia in the Baltic Sea were damaged by explosions believed to be sabotage. The case remains unsolved.
Orpo stated that Finland is adequately prepared for safeguarding critical infrastructure. Given the evolving security landscape, protecting such infrastructure has become a significant concern, and due attention has been given to address it. Notably, a comprehensive network of stakeholders has been established to ensure the security of critical infrastructure.
When asked if the government believed that Russia was involved in the recent incident, Orpo declined to speculate on potential culprits until the investigation in Finland is finished.
Earlier, Finnish Sauli Niinistö said in a statement that the “damage to the underwater infrastructure has been taken seriously and the causes have been under investigation since Sunday.” He said he was in contact with allies and partners, including NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.
Stoltenberg wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he had spoken with Niinistö ”on damage to undersea infrastructure.” He said NATO is sharing information and “stands ready to support Allies concerned.”
It is probable that the pipeline incident will be discussed during the NATO defense ministers meeting taking place in Brussels on Wednesday and Thursday.
The Estonian Navy informed The Associated Press that they were carrying out an inquiry into the pipeline alongside the Finnish military in the Gulf of Finland. They declined to provide additional details, stating that the Finns were leading the operation.
The Balticconnector pipeline, which spans 77 kilometers (48 miles), stretches from Inkoo, Finland to Paldiski, Estonia. This pipeline allows for the transfer of natural gas between the two countries based on their respective demand and supply. Prior to its closure, the majority of the gas flowing through the pipeline on Sunday was being transported from Finland to Estonia, and then further forwarded to Latvia, as reported by Elering, Estonia’s gas system operator.
The pipeline, which received significant funding from the European Union, began its commercial operations in early 2020 with a total investment of 300 million euros ($318 million).
Gasgrid Finland stated that the gas system in Finland is in a stable condition and the provision of gas has been ensured by utilizing the offshore support vessel Exemplar, which serves as a floating terminal for liquefied natural gas located at the Inkoo port in southern Finland.
Elering stated that gas from Latvia was being supplied to consumers in Estonia following the closure of the pipeline.
Although Europe has already reached 97% of its gas storage capacity for the winter, ensuring a secure supply still relies on the arrival of pipeline gas and LNG.
Simone Tagliapietra, an energy analyst at the Bruegel think tank in Brussels, stated that Europe can expect a secure winter in terms of gas supply. However, this assurance relies on the reliability of its pipeline and LNG infrastructure. Any sabotage or disruptions could result in significant consequences. The situation at the Balticconnector in Finland is particularly worrisome in this regard.
On Monday, the prices of natural gas on Europe’s TTF benchmark increased by 15%, followed by a further 12% rise on Tuesday, reaching the highest point since March. However, the price on Tuesday, which was 49.40 euros ($52.44) per megawatt hour, is still significantly lower than the record highs observed in late August. These record highs were a result of Russia’s reduction in gas supplies to Europe during the conflict in Ukraine, leading to an energy crisis.
