The WEDAL (Westdeutschland-Anbindungsleitung, Western German gas link) was built in two sections and put into operation between June 1996 and October 1998. Since then the pipeline has connected the MIDAL with the Belgian pipeline system over a distance of 321 km. It thus enables transport of both (North)western European and Russian natural gas.

The first section of the WEDAL, which was completed in January 1997, starts at Bad Salzuflen and stretches to Soest in Westphalia. In October 1998 the second section of the 800 mm diameter pipeline was connected to the grid. This enables natural gas to be transported from Soest right across the state of North Rhine Westphalia to the Belgian border at Aachen.

The underwater pipeline which crosses the River Rhine at Cologne – a very difficult construction to implement - also belongs to the WEDAL: The 410 meter long underwater pipeline at a depth of 3.5 meters below the bed of the river links the sections on the right and left sides of the Rhine.