Trans Austria Gas Pipeline

The Trans Austria Gas (TAG) pipeline is a natural gas pipeline that leads from the Slovak-Austrian border at Baumgarten an der March to Arnoldstein in the south, near the border with Italy. Natural gas originating from Russia is transported to and used in Italy and Austria. In addition, it supplies Slovenia through the SOL Pipeline System (Süd - Ost - Leitung), which branch-off at Weitendorf.

Trans Austria Gas Pipeline
Baumgarten gas hub, the start of the Trans Austria Gas
Baumgarten gas hub, the start of the Trans Austria Gas
Location of Trans Austria Gas Pipeline
Location
CountryAustria
General directioneast-west
FromBaumgarten an der March
Passes throughEggendorf, Grafendorf, St. Margrethen, Weitendorf, Ettendorf, Waisenberg, Ebenthal, Finkenstein am Faaker See
ToArnoldstein
General information
Typenatural gas
PartnersEni, OMV
OperatorTrans Austria Gasleitung GmbH
Technical information
Length380 km (240 mi)
Maximum discharge47.5 billion cubic meters per year

Technical features

The pipeline is 380 kilometres (240 mi) long. The original two lines date back to the 1960s, but in 2006 the pipeline was extended by adding the third line. The extension cost US$157 million.[1]

The capacity of the pipeline is 41 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas annually. The construction of two additional compression stations increased the capacity to 47.5 bcm at end 2008.[2]

Pipeline company

The pipeline is managed by Trans Austria Gasleitung GmbH (TAG GmbH), a partnership of Eni and OMV. Eni owns 89% of TAG and manages the pipeline, with OMV holding the remainder.[2]

Antitrust case

Since 2007, the European Commission has been probing Eni's alleged restrictive practices on the TAG, Transitgas and TENP pipelines by limiting third parties access to the pipelines.[3] The hearing is set for 27 November 2007.[4] To end the case, Eni is studying the possible sale of the pipeline.[5]

References
  1. "Eni, OMV get OK to expand Russia gas line". Offshore247. 2005-06-17. Retrieved 2008-12-07.
  2. "TAG pipe ready for action". Upstream Online. NHST Media Group. 2006-11-14. Retrieved 2008-12-07.
  3. Paolo Biondi (2009-03-20). "Italy says Eni pipeline case is a security issue". Reuters. Retrieved 2009-11-13.
  4. Foo Yun Chee (2009-11-04). "Eni antitrust hearing set for Nov 27 - EU". Reuters. Retrieved 2009-11-13.
  5. Alberto Sisto (2009-11-06). "Eni may sell TAG pipeline to end EU case - sources". Reuters. Retrieved 2009-11-13.
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