19-08-08 The proposed 3.2 bn cmpy expansion of the Netherlands-UK Balgzand Bacton Line gas pipeline has been given final approval by the operator's shareholders, the BBL Company said.
The move involves adding a fourth compressor to the pipeline at the compressor station at Anna Paulowna in the Netherlands, the company said. This would boost flow capacity by 3.6 GWh/hour, the company added, to a total of 20.6 GWh/h, or 46.7 mm cmpd. The pipeline ends at the Bacton terminal in the UK.

BBL said it had received confirmation that Dutch grid operator Gas Transport Services would proceed with the expansion of the Dutch grid necessary to accommodate the expansion project.
"This means that all conditions for a positive investment decision have now been fulfilled," it added. The company said its shareholders taken a "positive final investment decision." Company partners include Gasunie, E.ON Ruhrgas and Fluxys.

Earlier in August, BBL said the additional capacity would be available from December 2010. Not all of the firm capacity had so far been contracted, BBL said. Long- and short-term capacity was being offered to the market on a first come, first served basis, the company added. The firm forward flow capacity would be available on a yearly, monthly and daily basis.
As of September 1, BBL would also be offering interruptible forward flow and non-physical reverse flow capacity on the pipeline, it said. These would be offered on a monthly and a daily basis, with a maximum duration of a year, and again on a first come, first served basis.

At the moment, BBL has three compressors to push gas to the UK, but one is out of action following damage earlier this year. The pipe can work to its contracted flow levels with the two remaining compressors, but has nothing left spare if something else goes wrong.
The company said earlier this year the third compressor was expected back by winter. Winter gas contracts normally start in October.