The South European Pipeline (also known as LaveraâÂÂKarlsruhe pipeline; ) is a crude oil pipeline system in France, Switzerland, and Germany. It is built and operated by Société du pipeline sud-européen. The system supplies crude oil to refineries in Feyzin, Cressier, Reichstett, and Karlsruhe.
The main pipeline starts in Fos-sur-Mer (Lavera) in France and runs through Strasbourg to Karlsruhe in Germany. It became operational in 1962âÂÂ1963. As of 2011 it is inactive as the FosâÂÂStrasbourg section is mothballed. Another pipeline runs from Fos to Strasbourg (Oberhoffen-sur-Moder), and pipeline runs from Fos to Lyon (Feyzin). These pipelines became operational in 1971âÂÂ1972. The system uses Twelve pumping stations. The maximum discharge of the system is 35 million metric tons per year, although the real used annual amount is approximately 23 million metric tons per year.
In August 2009, a breach in the pipeline led to crude oil spilling into Réserve naturelle nationale des Coussouls de Crau, a nature reserve in France.