As far as the primary sources of energy are concerned, Hungary is the most exposed country to the Russian gas import, as our annual import is 10-12 bcm. The problems we faced during the winter in 2005/06 pointed out that this exposure represents a significant risk in the security of gas supply in winter. If we do not implement significant changes in the country’s energy structure, we can mitigate this risk on medium term only by establishing new gas storage capacities. The Act on Strategic Storage of Natural Gas entered into force on April 1, 2006 and it prescribes that Hungary should establish strategic stocks of natural gas in addition to the crude oil stocks. The strategic natural gas storage at Szőreg was completed in 2010, and we needed to expand the import capacity for filling up this storage, as well as for meeting the permanently increasing domestic demands for gas consumption.

As part of this ambitious program we constructed a gas transmission pipeline from the Ukrainian – Hungarian border and Beregdaróc (5 km long, DN1400, PN75 bar), and between Beregdaróc and Hajdúszoboszló (125 km long, DN1000, P63 bar). We constructed an 80 km long DN1000, P63 bar pipeline between Algyő and Városföld node, as well as a metering station for settlement purposes.

The project involved the construction of 3 GE 10 compressors at the Beregdaróc compressor station and that of 2 Solar Taurus 70 compressors at the Hajdúszoboszló compressor station.

These facilities secure the capacities required for filling up the strategic storage and for the withdrawal cycle. As a result of this complex development the natural gas import capacity will increase by 25 %, and this will be able to meet the country’s long term gas demands.

The main figures of the project:

• design and licensing works started in 2007
• project was completed on 31st December, 2008
• pipeline cleaning, pressure tests and the test runs were completed before 31st August, 2009
• completion date of the right-of-way issues: 30th June, 2011
• the main contractor for design, engineering and construction works was the consortium of OTF General Contractor Plc. and Olajterv Plc.
• the total length of the pipeline: 210 km

Present status of the project:

Implementation works were completed in 2008.

The inspection and test runs of the system were completed in 2009. The pipeline is in operation.

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

Phone/fax numbers and e-mail addresses