Key milestone for the H2med corridor: BarMar submarine pipeline project moves into the detailed engineering phase (FEED)

The completion of the BarMar pre-FEED phase confirmed the project’s overall technical feasibility, as well as the design basis for the compression station and pipeline. An advanced corridor route has also been defined, drawing on the initial findings of the environmental impact assessment, which is still ongoing.

Moving into the FEED phase represents a critical transition from conceptual design to the project’s final technical architecture. This phase will draw on inputs from environmental and technical studies, as well as feedback received through the public consultation process in France and Spain, which concluded in July 2026. In France, the concertation guarantors will publish a feedback report including recommendations, which will be taken into account by the project promoters.

The FEED phase will specifically support the following activities:

• confirming the pipeline design and final route;
• finalising the compression station layout;
• preparing the permitting files;
• defining the technical specifications required for construction preparation and material procurement.

Next step will be awarding the FEED engineering design and offshore detailed marine survey. The FEED studies will also provide the technical basis needed by partners and investors to make the Final Investment Decision (FID) of BarMar before construction begins, with the commercial operation date in 2032.

Under the funding allocated in January 2025 to the H2med corridor projects by the European Commission under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), the H2med-BarMar project benefited the partners to finance these engineering studies, along investments by the promoters. This includes marine and environmental survey campaigns, as well as all necessary works for environmental impact assessments and securing required permits.

“We are moving from feasibility studies to concrete industrial modelling, a key step towards supporting Europe’s decarbonisation objectives. Designated as a Project of Common Interest (PCI) and Energy Highway by the European Commission, H2med aims for commissioning by 2032, provided that all regulatory conditions are met across the H2med corridor”, stated BarMar CEO Francisco de la Flor.

Alongside these technical milestones, a ministerial meeting under the High-Level Group on South-West Europe was held on 6th July in Paris, bringing together Energy ministers from Portugal, France and Spain, European Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen, regulators and operators to strengthen cooperation and align on the strategic rollout of the energy interconnections. This high-level representation, also in presence of Germany for the first time in this regional group, exemplifies the strong political momentum for European interconnections, amongst which the H2med corridor.

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: 33,791 km of pipelines, 623 TWh of gas transported, nearly 3,671 employees, €2.5 billion in revenue in 2025. 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 – Located in the Greater South-West, at the crossroads of major European gas flows, Teréga has for over 80 years deployed exceptional expertise in the development of gas transport and storage infrastructures and today designs innovative solutions to meet the major energy challenges in France and Europe. A true accelerator of the energy transition, Teréga has over 5,000 km of pipelines and two underground storage facilities representing 13.5 % of the French gas transport network and 27% of national storage capacities respectively. In 2025, the company achieved revenue of €480M (excluding congestion balancing) and has 650 employees. Social responsibility is at the heart of Teréga’s strategy, committed to the energy transition towards carbon neutrality. Teréga deploys programs in all ESG (Environment Social Governance) areas: the safety of its employees and the security of its infrastructure via the PARI 2035 program, the sustainable development of territories and social responsibility via the ENERGIZ MOUV program, supporting philanthropic projects through the Teréga Accélérateur d’Énergies endowment fund, and reducing environmental impacts through the BE POSITIF program with a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by -34% by 2030 compared to 2021 across 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.