H2med project successfully completes geophysical prospecting campaigns and achieves technical feasibility for the BarMar project

18^th November 2025

The BarMar project is accelerating and entering a new phase. After completing comprehensive geotechnical and engineering studies, the partners of the H2med project have confirmed the technical feasibility of the BarMar hydrogen pipeline connecting Barcelona and Marseille.

The European corridor H2med project has successfully finalised its first in-depth assessment of the BarMar route. This includes engineering analyses conducted by experts, which were carried out following extensive geophysical survey campaigns. Specifically, the campaigns of summer 2025 and of 2024 have confirmed that the proposed corridor for the BarMar hydrogen pipeline is viable from an engineering perspective.

The study found no major physical constraints along the routes, and all identified infrastructure crossings are considered feasible. In addition, seabed conditions and terrain do not present critical challenges. The report concludes that the BarMar route under consideration is technically feasible, with all identified challenges manageable through established engineering practices.

This new visibility allows the partners to continue making progress in the project’s overall schedule, fulfilling the commitments proposed in this timeline, as part of the future European hydrogen network planning. According to this schedule, the Commercial Operation Date (COD) of BarMar is now specified for 2032 as well as the COD of the CelZa project.

This refinement accounts for the technical aspects of the project and the countries involved, which are developing their own national hydrogen networks, with the need to secure permits and achieve a synchronised schedule for authorisations. As H2med is designed to be the backbone connecting them all, precise synchronisation is essential. During the joint Council of Ministers, on August 29^th 2025, France and Germany reaffirmed their common approach to supporting the timely implementation of the corridor.

Furthermore, the progress made in cross border project governance and hydrogen regulatory harmonisation being learned today are pioneering. This deliberate and time-intensive effort will not only ensure H2med’s success but also establish an essential blueprint for future transnational energy projects.

A successful track record

After officially securing Project of Common Interest (PCI) status from the European Commission in 2024, the year 2025 has been marked by a decisive acceleration for the H2med project. This includes: the signing of Grant Agreements with the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) for the BarMar and CelZa projects; the creation of the BarMar company last July to develop the interconnection between Barcelona and Marseille; and the reaffirmed political support from all member states involved in the H2med corridor and from the European Commission, which designates the corridor as a priority “energy highway,” as well as market support, characterised by the growing strength of the H2med Alliance, which now has 49 members across the entire hydrogen value chain since the event last September in Berlin.

About the infrastructure operators involved in the H2med project:

Enagás is a Transmission System Operator (TSO) with 50 years’ experience in the development, operation and maintenance of energy infrastructure. It has more than 12,000 kilometres of gas pipelines, three underground storage facilities and eight regasification plants. The company operates in seven countries. In Spain it is the Technical Manager of the Gas System and, according to the Royal Decree-Law 8/2023, Enagás may operate as provisional Hydrogen Transmission Network Operator (HTNO) and develop H2med, the Spanish hydrogen network and associated storage facilities. In line with its commitment to energy transition, Enagás has announced its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2040, with a firm commitment to decarbonisation and the promotion of renewable gases, especially hydrogen. Find out more at: https://www.enagas.es/en/.

Press contact: Jorge Álvarez – dircom@enagas.es – (+34) 630 384 930.

NaTran is the new name of GRTgaz. In 2025, NaTran changed its name and launched a new corporate project focused on energy transition and carbon neutrality. To achieve its strategic goals, the company is adapting its networks and practices to address ecological, economic, and digital challenges. It provides infrastructure and logisitics solutions tailored to gases that contribute to the energy transition (biomethane, hydrogen and CO₂). NaTran is the second-largest gas transmission operator in Europe. The Group has two subsidiaries: Elengy (Europe’s leading LNG terminal operator) and NaTran Deutschland (operator of the MEGAL network). NaTran undertakes public service missions aimed at ensuring safe gas transport for its customers. The NaTran R&I research center (formerly RICE) is an international benchmark in research and innovation applied to the energy transition. NaTran Group key figures: 33,800 km of pipelines, 590 TWh of gas transported, nearly 3,850 employees, nearly €2.5 billion in revenue in 2024. To find out more about NaTran and its initiatives, visit NaTrangroupe.com, X, LinkedIn, Instagram.

Press contact: Chafia Baci – chafia.baci@natrangroupe.com – (+33) 6 40 48 54 40.

OGE gets gaseous molecules flowing. We create and maintain a modern, safe and efficient infrastructure for natural gas, hydrogen and CO₂. Our pipeline network with a length of more than 12,000 kilometres is fundamental to Germany’s energy supply and ensures the prosperity of our society. As the market-leading gas transmission system operator, we are a pioneer, driver and enabler of the energy transition and climate neutrality. We see ourselves as transformation consultants and service providers for industry, power plants, distribution system operators and our partners from production and politics. The OGE Group is also a future-proof, modern workplace for more than 2,000 people. In the interests of our employees and shareholders, we continually adapt our business model to ensure lastingly profitable development. For more information on the company, go to www.oge.net.

Press contact: Kristian Peters-Lach – kristian.peters-lach@oge.net – (+49) 201 3642–12622.

REN – Gasodutos, S.A. is the Portuguese gas TSO and part of REN – Redes Energéticas Nacionais, SGPS, S.A., a group of companies that integrates the Portuguese electricity TSO, as well as other gas activities concessions in Portugal such as, the Sines LNG Terminal, the underground storage and one gas distribution company. Besides its operation in Portugal, REN also has gas and electric grid assets in Chile and a share in the Cahora Bassa power plant in Mozambique. REN – Gasodutos, S.A. is responsible for the planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of more than 1,300 km of high-pressure pipelines in Portugal and for the national gas system technical management. Find us at https://www.ren.pt/.

Press contact: Paulo Camacho – paulo.camacho@ren.pt – (+351) 929 029 187.

Teréga – Established in South-West France, at the crossroads between major European gas flows, Teréga has exercised exceptional expertise for over 80 years in the development of gas transport and storage infrastructures. Today, it continues to develop innovative solutions to overcome the major energy challenges facing France and Europe. A true accelerator of the energy transition, Teréga operates over 5,000 km of pipelines and 2 underground storage reservoirs representing 15.8% of the French gas transport network and 27% of national storage capacity. In 2024, the company generated turnover of €488 million (excluding balancing and congestion) and had more than 647 employees. Corporate social responsibility is at the heart of Teréga’s strategy, as it embarks on the energy transition to carbon neutrality. Teréga has rolled out programmes in all areas of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance): its employee safety and its infrastructure security via the PARI 2035 programme, sustainable development of territories and social responsibility via the ENERGIZ MOUV programme, support of philanthropic projects via the Teréga Accélérateur d’Énergies endowment fund, and reduction of environmental impacts via the BE POSITIF programme with a commitment to a 34% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 2021 on all scopes 1, 2 and 3. Find us at https://www.terega.fr/.

Press contact: Céline DALLEST – celine.dallest@terega.fr – (+33) 6 38 89 11 07.

The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the H2med partners and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union.