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Interconnector (UK) Limited operates a sub sea gas
pipeline and terminal facilities to provide a strategic bi-directional
link between the UK and continental European energy markets.
The Interconnector system comprises compression terminals at Bacton
in UK and Zeebrugge in Belgium connected by a 235 kilometre pipeline.
It is currently capable of transporting 25.5 billion cubic metres of
gas per annum from Zeebrugge to Bacton and 20.0 bcm per annum in the
opposite direction.
Interconnector Shippers are able to reach the gas
markets of continental Europe and the UK by transporting and/or trading
between the two hubs linked by the Interconnector pipeline.
The net amount of gas flowing each day is dependent on the quantities
nominated by individual shippers. Shippers nominate their requirements
to Interconnector who manage the process of validation and aggregation
which determines the daily quantity of energy to be transported into
and out of the system.
Historical flows refreshed at
10:00 |
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The flow direction symbol provides the best
available indication of the current flow direction. However,
it is possible that at times, particularly during low flow periods,
small flows will be scheduled in the opposite direction to that
indicated, to physically balance the system and to meet adjacent
transporter requirements.
|
 Online
services Historic
flows |
| |
Volume |
Energy |
BCM/yr |
MCM/day |
kWh/day |
Therms/day |
| UK Export Mode |
20 |
58 |
610,000,000 |
21,000,000 |
| UK Import Mode |
25.5 |
74 |
780,000,000 |
27,000,000 |
3 November 2009: Interconnector today introduced
a new set of business rules that will provide a significant improvement
to the service on offer.
Under current rules, nominations in the opposite direction to the physical
flow direction may be reduced (“capped”) during low flow
periods. The changes that are being made enable Interconnector to manage
the timing of physical flow direction changes to ensure that nominations
are not disrupted. This new approach is made possible by harnessing
both the flexibility of the Interconnector system and the operational
arrangements with neighbouring transporters.
These changes remove the element of uncertainty during low flow conditions,
further improve Interconnector’s responsiveness to market demands
and will result in an overall more energy efficient operation.
Sean Waring, Managing Director of Interconnector, said “We
want to give the market the confidence that nominations will be met,
in full, whatever the flowrate and direction of flow through the Interconnector.
We are delighted with the new arrangements that are being implemented
today – we are now able to realise the full potential of the system
to provide a flexible and reliable service for our customers under all
conditions.”
20 October 2009: Interconnector (UK)
Limited confirmed that important new business rules are soon to be introduced
that will remove the process of ‘capping’ that can occur
during low flow periods.
Currently, there can be an element of uncertainty for Shippers during
low flow periods when nominations in aggregate indicate gas flow in
the opposite direction to the prevailing physical direction. As the
physical pipeline direction cannot be changed instantaneously, nominations
are reduced or “capped” to achieve zero physical flow. Typically,
nominations may be capped for several hours during low flow periods
until a flow transition decision is implemented. This uncertainty can
be enough to dissuade Shippers from nominating gas flows during these
periods.
This change to the business rules will remove this uncertainty, meet
market demands and improve the Interconnector’s responsiveness
by enabling IUK to manage the timing of physical flow direction changes
to ensure that nominations are not disrupted. The new approach is made
possible by harnessing both the flexibility of the interconnector system
and the operational arrangements with neighbouring transporters.
The new arrangements are also expected to produce a more energy efficient
operation during low flow periods.
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