Press release
New pipeline to supply gas from the Netherlands to the UK
[December 1, 2006]
BBL Company started first transport of gas
On 1 December, the Balgzand-Bacton Line (BBL) - the first pipeline to
link the Netherlands and the United Kingdom – has begun supplying gas
from the Dutch mainland to the UK.
With a capacity of 1.75 million cubic metres per hour, the new submarine pipeline is able to transport approximately 15 billion cubic metres of gas per year.
The BBL makes it possible for the UK to import a higher volume of natural gas from the European continent. Following a rise in demand for natural gas coupled with a steep decline in domestic gas production, the UK is becoming increasingly reliant on imported gas to ensure security of supply. At the end of last year, the UK even experienced a threatened gas shortage. Annual consumption currently stands at 100 bcm. The BBL is thus able to account for 15% of the UK’s gas requirement.
The gas that the BBL supplies will come from various shippers who will obtain it from producers in and beyond the Netherlands. Transport has successfully started on 1 December 2006 at 06.00 hrs.
Construction of the BBL has taken just under two years. It has been
a challenging project, completed with the help of the latest technology,
such as the new electric compressor station in Anna Paulowna, Noord
Holland.
BBL Company is a joint venture between E.ON Ruhrgas, Fluxys and N.V.
Nederlandse Gasunie. Additional information about the project can be
found on www.bblcompany.com.
For more information, please contact Hansch van der Velden, (+31) 50 521 2160 or press@gasunie.nl
BBL facts and figures:
- Overall length of the pipeline is 235 km
of which 230 km is offshore
- The construction of the 36 inch pipeline
has taken just two years and has used
the latest technology
- Total costs: 500 million Euro’s
- Pipeline and installations meet the highest standards on safety and
environment