The overall length of pipeline is 235 kilometres (146 mi) of which around 230 kilometres (140 mi) is offshore. The pipeline's diameter is 36 inches (910 mm) and working pressure is 135 standard atmospheres (13,700 kPa). The initial capacity is 16 billion cubic meters (bcm) per year, which will be increased to 19.2 bcm by the end of 2010 by installing a fourth compressor at the compressor station at Anna Paulowna.[1] The pipeline has a regulatory exemption from the two-ways gas flow until October 2018. Until this, the direction of gas flow is from the Netherlands to the UK.[2] The overall cost of the project was around €500 million.
Operating company
The BBL was developed and operated by the BBL Company. The main shareholder of the company is Gasunie with 60% of the shares, and Enagas and Fluxys both own 20%. RussianGazprom had an option for 9%, in exchange for a 9% share of Nord Stream AG.[3] The BBL Pipeline would allow Gazprom to supply additional gas to the British market through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline.
Companies with headquarters and/or registered office in the UK but no applicable energy operations within the country shown in italics1Ultimate parent company is not UK-based 2Integrated in the United States, no generation or supply activities in the UK
