First gas from new Dutch pipeline

London – Gas has started flowing through a new pipeline under the North Sea, which connects the UK to the Netherlands. The Bacton-Balgzand pipeline (BBL) will supply 8% of UK gas demand, the UK government announced 1 Dec.

The 36-inch BBL pipeline is 235 km long, of which 230 km is offshore and has a working pressure of 135atm. Its construction was facilitated by a treaty signed by the UK and Dutch governments in 2005.

According to Alistair Darling, secretary of state for Trade and Industry, the pipeline and would help secure UK energy supplies and reduce costs. BBL, he noted, is the third new piece of infrastructure to come on stream this winter.

“A further step to secure Britain's energy supplies is put in place today. Travelling more than 230km under the North Sea, today sees BBL delivering commercial gas supplies from the Dutch continental shelf through to homes and businesses across the UK,” said Darling.

Other recent UK gas importation projects include the Langeled pipeline from Norway, the Belgian Interconnector and LNG brought into the Isle of Grain on the Thames estuary. Next year will see additional imports of LNG into Teesside and later Milford Haven in Wales.