Dzuarikau–Tskhinvali pipeline
Dzuarikau–Tskhinvali pipeline | |
---|---|
Location | |
Country | Russia, Georgia (South Ossetia) |
General direction | north–south |
From | Dzuarikau, North Ossetia |
To | Tskhinvali, South Ossetia |
General information | |
Type | natural gas |
Operator | Gazprom |
Commissioned | 2009 |
Technical information | |
Length | 162.3 km (100.8 mi) |
Maximum discharge | 252.5 million cubic meters per year |
The Dzuarikau–Tskhinvali pipeline is a natural gas pipeline running from the village of Dzuarikau in North Ossetia to Tskhinvali, South Ossetia. Construction started in 2006, and gas supplies started in September 2009.[1]
History[]
Construction of the pipeline was planned for a long time and it started in December 2006.[2][3] It was launched on 26 August 2009.[1]
Previously, South Ossetia was supplied from the Agara-Tskhinvali leg of the Tbilisi-Kutaisi trunk system of Georgia.[1] After the Georgian-Ossetian conflict, supplies to South Ossetia from Georgia were cut off. According to Georgia, the cause was a damaged section of the pipeline within South Ossetia, while Russia denied the damage and accused Georgia of the deliberate cutoff. Supplies were restored in January 2009.[1]
Technical description[]
The length of the pipeline is 162.3 kilometres (100.8 mi) and it has capacity of 252.5 million cubic meters of natural gas per year.[4][5] The diameter of the pipeline is 426 millimetres (16.8 in). Around 70.2 kilometres (43.6 mi) of the pipeline is in South Ossetian territory.[1] The pipeline passes through mountainous regions with a maximum altitude of 3,148 metres (10,328 ft) above sea level. It has been reported that the pipeline may be the located the highest in the world.[4] The cost of construction was 15 billion rubles (US$476 million).[3] The pipeline is operated by Gazprom Transgaz Stavropol, a subsidiary of Gazprom. It was built by Stroyprogress.
Political significance[]
The pipeline was said to be important for the de facto independence of South Ossetia, because it "shakes off the last levers exerted by its unfriendly neighbour".[4] The Georgian foreign ministry has strongly protested against the launch of the new pipeline.[3][6]
See also[]
References[]
- ^ a b c d e "Russia to begin gas supplies to S.Ossetia bypassing Georgia". RIA Novosti. 2009-08-26. Retrieved 2009-08-28.
- ^ "Construction of North-South Ossetia gas pipeline might begin soon". Russia & CIS Business and Financial Newswire. 2006-07-31. Retrieved 2009-08-30.[dead link]
- ^ a b c "New gas pipeline for S.Ossetia costs $476 mln - Gazprom". RIA Novosti. 2009-08-26. Retrieved 2009-08-28.
- ^ a b c Artem Gorbunov (2009-04-09). "Tbilisi loses its levers over Tskhinvali". Georgia Times. Archived from the original on 2016-03-06. Retrieved 2009-08-28.
- ^ "Putin invites S Ossetia to become transit state for Russian natural gas". ITAR-TASS. 2009-08-26. Archived from the original on 2009-12-01. Retrieved 2009-08-30.
- ^ "Tbilisi States Dzuarikau-Tskhinvali gas line is infringment Georgian Sovereignty". The Georgian Times. 2009-08-27. Archived from the original on 2010-10-24. Retrieved 2009-08-30.
- Energy infrastructure completed in 2009
- Natural gas pipelines in Russia
- Natural gas pipelines in Georgia (country)
- Gazprom pipelines
- Dzau District
- Tskhinvali District
- Buildings and structures in Tskhinvali
- Buildings and structures in South Ossetia