Balticconnector Blasting Work About to Begin

Baltic Connector Oy said in its latest release that the excavation works for the Balticconnector project were completed earlier this week.

According to the official announcement, in the following days, the operations will continue with blasting work in the outer archipelago, around 20 kilometers from the shore.

“By beginning preparatory work in July, we were able to save enough time for planning so that the work can be carried out safely and with equipment appropriate for the level of difficulty of the work. The timing is optimal also because it means we can avoid the hazards brought on by autumn storms,” said Baltic Connector’s Project Director, Tom Främling. 

The blasting work will include three phases:

• drilling;
• blasting;
• excavation of rubble.

“Excavation work in the area will be carried out 24/7 whereas blasting work is limited to daytime between 7 am and 6 pm,” said Baltic Connector Oy.

The work is estimated to take two weeks and after this, the excavation work will continue in the area of Inkoo fairway and Lillskämmö.

The Balticconnector project will comprise the offshore pipeline between Inkoo in Finland and Paldiski in Estonia, and the Finnish and Estonian onshore pipelines that will link Balticconnector to the existing gas transmission networks in these countries.

The route covers 21 kilometers of onshore pipeline in Finland, 77 kilometers of offshore pipeline, and 55 kilometers of onshore pipeline in Estonia.