Offshore Magazine: Operators planning more than 7,000 miles of offshore pipelines through 2018

Operators and developers are studying, planning and building just over 7,050 mi (11,346 km) of oil and gas pipelines to bring these supplies from offshore fields to onshore markets. The total reflects a significant increase from last year's survey, which showed a total of almost 5,600 mi (9,012 km). This year's total represents a 26% increase over last year.

The increase is driven in very large part by the development of the South Stream pipeline project, and the decision by the developers to build four 578-mi (930-km) pipelines to move natural gas from Russia to Bulgaria (and then to European markets) via the Black Sea. If all four lines are built according to plan, South Stream will include more than 2,300 mi (3,701 km) of pipe.

Installation of the first South Stream pipeline is expected to begin this fall, and will be undertaken by Saipem, who will use its Castoro Sei vessel to work toward a 2015 completion date. Construction on the second line will be undertaken by Allseas, using its new Pieter Schelte vessel. Work on this second line is scheduled for a late 2016 completion timeframe.
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