Environment and safety

Environmental protection is an important part of the planning and realization of major in-frastructure measures. Hence, strict safety regulations will be observed and applied to the construction of the NEL pipeline.

With demand for energy increasing worldwide, it is important to try and meet this demand in an environmentally friendly manner as far as is possible. Natural gas releases less CO2 than other fossil fuels, but it also has to prove its environmental compatibility long before it reaches the customer.

The effects of NEL on its natural surroundings are examined very closely even in the planning stage: the regional planning procedure and the planning approval process include environmental impact assessments. These are a key factor in the decision-making and approval process for the project. The building contractor discusses ecological aspects that have to be considered in the route planning in close consultation with nature protection associations and agencies.

Caring for the natural surroundings

The workers are by no means finished when the work on the dedicated track has been completed: new trees are planted and the earth is loosened again after having being compressed by construction vehicles. In order to make up for narrow tracks in the woods left behind by the pipeline, which could not be entirely restored to their previous status or reforested for safety reasons, planting measures are carried out in other places.

Safety comes first

In order to make sure there is no danger for people or the environment along the pipeline, strict safety regulations are adhered to. The engineers check the pipeline several times before it goes into operation to ensure it complies with all the rules and regulations, espe-cially regarding the quality of the material and the welding seams, using pressure and per-meability tests. Thereafter, the pipeline is monitored round the clock.