SEATTLE (Oil Monster):The Rhone gas pipeline, a key energy corridor linking France’s Mediterranean LNG terminals with Germany and other European markets, is expected to operate below full capacity until at least mid-2026, according to industry officials.
Fréderic Martin, president of FranceGaz, stated that reduced gas flows are a precautionary step following the pipeline outage recorded in late September. Operators restored operations but deliberately limited throughput to avoid further mechanical stress ahead of a scheduled safety review in March. Martin noted that technical teams are working to inspect the entire network to identify any recurring structural constraints.
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The disruption comes at a crucial time for Europe’s energy security. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, European nations have significantly reduced dependence on Russian pipeline gas, increasing reliance on LNG imports from the United States and Qatar routed through French ports.
Current estimates suggest the partial outage could reduce winter gas deliveries by approximately 43.5 terawatt hours, equivalent to nearly 11 days of France’s peak seasonal gas demand. Authorities plan a comprehensive infrastructure inspection after winter ends, which will determine whether replacement of specific pipeline sections is necessary, during ongoing monitoring.
