Gas supplies via exploded pipeline to resume on Monday – Lithuania's Amber Grid

VILNIUS – Lithuania's gas transmission system operator, Amber Grid, plans on Monday to resume gas supplies to Latvia via the gas main in Pasvalys District that exploded on Friday and was subsequently repaired.

"Over the weekend, repairs were carried out on the gas main following the Friday incident in Pasvalys District. Also, adjacent sections of the pipeline were checked. An X-ray examination of the welds showed that the pipeline was safe to operate," Amber Grid said on Monday. 

The pipeline was inspected in 2011 and 2016 and no irregularities were found, the operator said, adding that similar work was scheduled this year as well, Amber Grid said.

Amber Grid confirmed that the pipeline's insulation was being replaced near the site of the incident last week. An investigation by law enforcement and specialists is expected to tell whether these works could have impact on the gas main.

On Saturday, police said they had opened a pre-trial investigation to find out whether the maintenance and repair work on the gas pipeline was carried out properly. Police, however, are not looking into any deliberate activity at the moment as they are investigating whether the pipeline could have been damaged by heavy machinery.

Amber Grid CEO Nemunas Biknius also ruled out any chance of deliberate damage.