# Ingolstadt–Kralupy–Litvínov pipeline (IKL pipeline) ## History Negotiations to construct the Ingolstadt–Kralupy–Litvínov pipeline began in October 1990 and concluded in 1992. Originally planned to run from Ingolstadt to Litvínov, the route was changed to Vohburg to Nelahozeves, though the original name was retained. Construction started on September 1, 1994, and was completed in December 2005, inaugurated on March 13, 1996. It serves as the main oil supply route in the Czech Republic, reducing reliance on Russian-origin supplies. Modernization in 2003 enhanced remote control systems and capacity. ## Route This 347-kilometer (216 mi) pipeline originates in Vohburg, Germany, connected to the Transalpine Pipeline, and terminates at Nelahozeves oil depot near Prague. The German section spans 178 km (111 mi), while the Czech section is 169 km (105 mi) long. ## Technical description The pipeline has a 714 mm (28.1 in) diameter, with pressure varying from 65 bars (6,500 kPa) in Vohburg to 20 bars (2,000 kPa) in Nelahozeves. Its annual capacity is approximately ten million tonnes, with 30% typically in use. Additional capacity is reserved for securing supplies during disruptions, such as the 2008 Druzhba pipeline issues and the 2023-2025 Russia-Ukraine war. The control center is in Vohburg, with a backup in Nelahozeves. The Vohburg tank farm has four tanks totaling 200,000 m³ (7,100,000 cu ft), while Nelahozeves hosts sixteen tanks with 1,550,000 m³ (55,000,000 cu ft). ## Operating company The pipeline is operated by MERO Pipeline GmbH. ## Key facts - **Length**: 347 km (216 mi) - **Diameter**: 714 mm (28.1 in) - **Capacity**: ~10 million tonnes/year - **Construction start**: 1994 - **Inauguration**: 2005 - **Primary function**: Oil transport from Germany to Czech refineries ## Additional information - **Backup control center**: Nelahozeves - **Reserve capacity**: For Russian supply disruptions - **Modernization**: 2003 (remote control, capacity) ## Images - [MERO Pipeline GmbH logo](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MERO_Pipeline_GmbH_logo.png) - [IKL pipeline map](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:IKL_pipeline_map.png) - [Vohburg tank farm](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vohburg_tank_farm.png) - [Nelahozeves depot](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nelahozeves_depot.png) - [Pipeline cross-section](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pipeline_cross-section.png) ## References [1] [Czech Oil Pipeline](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czech_Oil_Pipeline) [2] [MERO Pipeline GmbH](https://www.mero.cz/) [3] [Transalpine Pipeline](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transalpine_Pipeline)