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Central Europe Pipeline System

The Central Europe Pipeline System (CEPS) is a multi-product petroleum pipeline that extends through five NATO nations: Belgium, France, Germany, Luxemburg and The Netherlands. The CEPS Programme, that manages its operation, is composed of six member nations, the ones referred above (designated Host Nations) plus the United States of America (designated User Nation).

It consists of a 5 279 Km pipeline network, connecting 36 depots with a net storage capacity of about 1 million m3, three (3) rail loading stations, and 16 truck loading stations; it is also connected to 11 refineries and six (6) sea entry points (Northern sea, Atlantic ocean and Mediterranean sea). 

On top of its rail and truck loading stations, the CEPS is directly to 20 military airbases and six (6) airports in Central Europe.

The mission of the CEPS Programme is to manage the operation, maintenance and financing of the CEPS in support of NATO's operational military requirements during peacetime, crisis and conflict. However, particularly in peace time, the CEPS is authorized to provide services to commercial customers, on the condition that priority is always given to military requirements.

The CEPS Programme Board (PB) is the governing body responsible for overseeing the execution of the CEPS Programme, which consists of three main elements: the Programme Board (PB), the Programme Office (PO) and four National Organizations (BPO, SNOI, FBG and DPO).

The CEPS operates 24/7, transporting about 13 million m3 of product per year and storing around 1 million m3 of Jet A-1 in its 36 depots.

To guarantee the quality of the product it handles, the CEPS is equipped with four certified laboratories that carry systematic analysis of the product at the entry and delivery points and also during storage.