Project Outlines

　Overview Image of the Project

　This project is to develop a trunk pipeline to transport natural gas from the immense gas fields of Sakhalin to Wakkanai, Hokkaido and then down through Hokkaido to the eastern Tomakomai area (Tomatoh), as well as to establish an LNG liquefaction base in Tomatoh, and then provide gas pipeline service with the trunk pipeline and further necessary supply lines. However, in response to enquiries from various quarters about the possibility of implementing it as part of the reconstruction program in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake, we are considering revising progressively the implementation plan, based on the intentions of the ruling party and government agencies. In conjunction with the gas pipeline service business, various related businesses, including a telecommunications business using optical fiber set in the pipe, are to be developed.

　Under Russian law, the rights to Russia’s gas exports are owned exclusively by Gazprom, but the right to authorize gas field development itself is owned by the Russian Federation Government. JPDO is allowed to introduce natural gas mainly from Sakhalin 3 and other gas fields as a result of our continuous efforts in consulting and negotiating with the Russian Federation Government. Its annual supply is projected to be 16 billion m3. However, this may be changed if east Japan joins the project.

　For this project, the pipeline was planned to take a route from Prigorodnoye at the southern tip of Sakhalin down through the Soya Strait, reach land at Wakkanai, and go down from Wakkanai along the coast of the Japan Sea through Hokkaido to Tomatoh, covering a total distance of approximately 540 km. If it is executed as part of the reconstruction program in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake, however, the pipeline will be extended to east Japan.

　For the gas pipeline service business, high pressure trunk pipeline with a diameter of 48 inches is to be laid, and the trunk pipeline is to be extended by medium pressure pipeline to build a pipeline network to supply clean and cost-competitive energy for industry, business and consumer use in many parts of Hokkaido. This is planned to develop into what is called the “LNG Liquefaction Base-Integrated Gas Pipeline Project”. If the pipeline is extended to east Japan, however, the overall implementation plan will be revised after full consultation with the domestic and overseas organizations concerned.

Note 1: Concerning supply lines
The following supply lines are planned from the trunk line to each area: the Northern Hokkaido Line (Nayoro, Shibetsu, Asahikawa, etc.), the Eastern Hokkaido Line (Obihiro, Kushiro, Kitami, etc.), the Central Hokkaido Line (Sapporo Area), and the Southern Hokkaido Line (Tomakomai, Muroran, Date, etc.)
 
Note 2: East Japan Pipeline
Pipeline from Hokkaido to east Japan will be planned to pass through the disaster-hit areas, but its route, distance and other details will be determined only after full consultation with all organizations concerned.