The Trans-Mediterranean Pipeline (TransMed; also Enrico Mattei gas pipeline) is a natural gas pipeline from Algeria via Tunisia to Sicily and thence to mainland Italy. An extension of the TransMed pipeline delivers Algerian gas to Slovenia.
History
The pipeline from Algeria to Italy was proposed in 1960s. A preliminary feasibility study was conducted in 1969 and the first route survey in 1970. In 1974–75, technical tests of laying pipes in the Mediterranean Sea were carried out. In 1977, supply and transit agreements were signed.
The first phase of pipeline was constructed in 1978–1983 and second phase in 1991–1994. The capacity of the pipeline was doubled in 1994. In 2000, the gas pipeline was named after Enrico Mattei.
In the fall of 1997, a terrorist attack severed the pipeline in Algeria for five days. The pipeline was listed under the Critical Foreign Dependencies Initiative by the United States in a diplomatic cable leaked to WikiLeaks.
On February 28, 2010, a new section was completed in Bir El Ater, Tebessa Province, which was expected to increase transport capacity by .
Route
The pipeline begins from the Hassi R'mel field in Algeria and runs to the Tunisian border. In Tunisia, the pipeline runs for to El Haouaria, in the Cap Bon region, after which it crosses the -wide Channel of Sicily. It landfalls in Mazara del Vallo in Sicily. From there, the pipeline continues in Sicily, across the Strait of Messina and in Italian mainland to northern Italy with a branch to Slovenia.
Technical description
The Algerian section consists of a compressor station and two lines with diameter. The Tunisian section consists of three compressor stations and two lines of diameter. In 2007, SCOGAT (Société pour la Construction du Gazoduc Transtunisien) awarded the Italian contractor Saipem a contract for two new gas compression stations and the upgrading of the existing compressor stations allowing to increase the capacity of Tunisian section by 6.5 bcm. The royalties for the gas transport received by Tunisia are 5.25 — 6.75 percent value of the transported gas. The offshore section across Channel of Sicily consists three lines with diameter of and two lines with diameter of . In Italy, the diameter of two lines varies between and .
In 2012 the capacity of the pipeline increased from 30.2 billion cubic meter (bcm) of natural gas per year up to 33.5 bcm by 2012.
Operators
Algerian section is operated by Algerian state-owned company Sonatrach. The Tunisian section is owned by the state-owned Sotugat (Société Tunisienne du Gazoduc Trans-tunisien) and operated by TTPC (Eni group, 100%). The section across the Channel of Sicily is operated by TMPC, a joint venture of Eni and Sonatrach. The Italian section is operated by Snam Rete Gas.