Construction of the gas pipeline between Pilisvörösvár and Százhalombatta (DN 800 PN 63)

Construction of the gas pipeline section between Pilisvörösvár and Százhalombatta is required so that we can meet the long term demands of Budapest and its region reported by residential and industrial consumers. In addition to that the pipeline delivers gas for the region’s increasing demands both in terms of quantity and pressure, improves the security of gas supply for Budapest and its region. As the pipeline is completed, we implemented a circular pipeline ring around the capital, as the high-level guarantee for the security of gas supply, planned for many years by now.

Keeping in view that this region is the largest gas consumption area in Hungary, the pipeline has a nation-wide importance, and the gas supply for the capital and its agglomeration can be secured.

The main figures of the project:

• design and licensing works started in 2006, actual implementation works began during autumn in 2007
• completion finished on: 31st December, 2008.
• at the beginning of 2009 the system was filled up with gas. The pipeline has been in operation since then
• the main contractor of the project work was Crude Oil Pipeline Construction Plc.
• length of the pipeline: 55 km

Environmental issues

We conducted the preliminary environmental impact study in accordance with Law Decree 314/2005. (XII.25.) and its main conclusion was that the project would have no major effect onto the environment. For a number of various reasons (national highway no. 10., mine, railway, human settlements or other obstacles) the trunkline could not avoid the forest areas.

During the design phase we closely cooperated with the experts of the Pilis Park Forestry Department and identified the least harmful solution offering the lowest damage to the natural values. This trunkline is in most cases crossing low quality forest zones and ecologically less valuable pine and acacia trees (not endemic species).  As the case of nature conservation is an issue of priority for FGSZ, we attached particular attention to the protection of the environment throughout the construction process.

During the construction process we applied stricter procedures than prescribed by laws and regulations in order to protect the natural environment, as we had approved and used only 20 m wide land zone in the forest areas in the plans instead of the permitted 30 m. Thought this solution caused extra costs, but the company had assumed such higher costs specifically with the intention to protect the environment.

The final trunkline occupies a 10 m wide grassy zone, and it clearly shows the picture and character of a forest or green park. It must be highlighted that the forest area has not been reduced as a consequence of the trunkline strip, because most forests have similar openings covered with grass.

The forestry department prescribed that FGSZ should implement the complete forestation of an area 2.5 larger than the land occupied by the gas trunkline strip in accordance with the relevant laws. The gas pipeline construction site (crossing the forest) is occupying a total 13.4 hectare land in the Pilisvörösvár Basin, so we planted trees in the region in an area of 34 hectares. The forestation process was implemented in line with the professional guidance of the Pilis Park Forestry Department, focusing on the interest of Pilis Region and nature conservation criteria.

After the project completion, the region has larger green area than before, moreover, the newly established forest contains more valuable species from ecological, forestry and regional management aspects, including forests dominantly with endemic oak and turkey oak trees.

Trunkline

FGSZ originally wanted to construct the natural gas transmission pipeline along the existing pipelines, but the Pilisvörösvár Municipality did not approve this solution. So the present trunkline has been planned and developed specifically at the request of the Municipality.

The original plans had to be once modified, because the contractor found an illegal waste dumping ground on the approved trunkline, where local villagers dumped mostly construction waste materials during the past years. The elimination of such illegal waste dumping ground is primarily the liability of the culprits, secondly the land owner, i.e. the local municipality. FGSZ considered the elimination of the dumping ground on its own cost, but this could have caused billions, nearly 20 % extra on top of the budget, and also significantly delayed the project. The new trunkline has no effect on any new landowner, or cadastre number, it is not under any local or the so-called „Natura 2000” protection. As this is a bushy area, no tree will be cut off. So there was no need for modifying the construction license, we only had to report the case, as we did to the Budapest Mining Authority.

Communication

During construction It was absolutely critical for us to supply full and fair information on the project details, and to manage every official contact in merit through the project implementation process.

During the project design phase we conducted all licensing processes in full compliance with the applicable laws and regulations. In addition, we also held consultations with the civil organisations (Article1, Article2) and as a result, we could take their comments and recommendations also fully into account during the design and implementation phases, e.g. we modified the trunkline in accordance with their constructive propositions.

We involved the local municipalities affected by the trunkline into the preliminary environmental impact study, as prescribed by laws. These local municipalities and the Middle Duna Valley Environment Protection, Nature Conservation and Water Management Authority participated in the construction licensing process launched at the Budapest Mining Authority. Providing information to the local communities is the legal obligation of the relevant municipalities, and as far as we know they have met this requirement. The Middle Duna Valley Environment Protection, Nature Conservation and Water Management Authority, as the competent authority acting on first degree, published the announcement on the environmental protection process (preceding the construction phase) and the relevant documents in the Authority building and on its homepage, as well as sent them to the town clerk of the municipalities affected with the planned construction fro purposes of disclosure in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations. The designer and contractor companies contacted every affected landowner in writing and also personally for discussing issues related to the compensation for crop damage and for establishing the right-of-way. The contractor set out notice and information boards all over the construction area in accordance with the relevant regulations, moreover, FGSZ and the Pilis Park Forestry Department also placed information boards along the tourist roads and trekking paths.

As prescribed in the approved plans, we should complete the implementation works by December 31, 2008, but as we wish to give back the relevant area to the tourists as soon as possible, we plan to lay down the pipes into the trenches and complete the re-fill work during this summer. There will be certain follow-up operations after the said date (e.g.: pressure test, recultivation) but these works will not cause any major disturbance or inconvenience to those who make excursions into the Pilis region. 

If you have any question or query regarding the pipeline project, please feel free to contact our officers:

Phone/fax numbers and e-mail addresses