Science & Technology
Top 10 offshore pipelines set to transform global energy in 2026
2026 will see a significant increase in operational offshore pipelines compared to 2025, marking a pivotal year for global energy transport.
The offshore energy sector is gearing up for a massive year in 2026, with more than 385 oil and gas pipelines scheduled to commence operations worldwide, including 113 offshore projects, according to GlobalData. While some projects face delays due to political and economic shifts, the largest planned pipelines promise to reshape energy transport across multiple continents.
The longest offshore pipelines set to start in 2026 will mostly transport gas in shallow waters, though major projects will also carry oil in North America. South America, the Middle East, Australia, and Asia will host the five longest pipelines.
Highlights include:
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Vaca Muerta Sur – Argentina: 565km oil pipeline connecting Vaca Muerta oilfields to Punta Colorada export facility. Capacity: 550,000 barrels/day. Cost: $3bn+.
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North Field East – Qatar: 500km gas pipeline expanding LNG production by 50%, including carbon capture facilities. Partners: Shell, ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, Eni, TotalEnergies.
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Scarborough–Pluto – Australia: 433km LNG pipeline through deep and shallow waters, capacity: 708 million cubic feet/day. Total project cost: $12bn.
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Block B–O Mon – Vietnam: 433km gas pipeline feeding four gas-fired power plants. Capacity: 656 million cubic feet/day.
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Rosmari–Marjoram – Malaysia: 207km deep-water gas pipeline with 800 million cubic feet/day capacity. Operated by Sarawak Shell Berhad.
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Walker Ridge 52–Garden Banks 72 – US: 169km oil pipeline in Gulf of Mexico.
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Darwin Pipeline Duplication – Australia: 123km gas pipeline extending the Bayu Undan export system.
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Texas Gulflink – US: 92km oil pipeline with capacity of 1–2 million barrels/day.
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Aasta Hansteen–Irpa – Norway: 80km gas pipeline operating in extreme deepwater conditions.
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Bintulu–Samalaju – Malaysia: 70km gas pipeline supplying a new 842MW power plant and industrial park.
2026 will see a significant increase in operational offshore pipelines compared to 2025, marking a pivotal year for global energy transport.