Scotland–Northern Ireland pipeline
Scotland to Northern Ireland Pipeline | |
---|---|
Location | |
Country | United Kingdom |
General direction | North to South |
From | Twynholm, Scotland |
To | Ballylumford power station, Northern Ireland |
General information | |
Type | Natural gas |
Owner | Mutual Energy |
Contractors | European Marine Contractors (EMC) |
Commissioned | 1996 |
Technical information | |
Length | 135 km (84 mi) |
Diameter | 609 mm (24 in) |
The Scotland-Northern Ireland Pipeline (SNIP) is a 24 in (610 mm), 135 km (84 mi) long
Background
In March 1992
Construction
In 1994 Premier Transco awarded the contract for design and construction of the SNIP to European Marine Contractors (EMC), a 50-50 venture of
The route and construction of the pipeline were both controversial due to concerns of it disrupting a weapons dump in and around Beaufort's Dyke.[3]
There are no accurate figures available from the UK Ministry of Defence for its disposal operations but it estimates that over a million tons of conventional weapons were disposed of between 1946 and 1963 with Beaufort's Dyke being the main site, just 25 miles off the coast of Larne. Sites off Donegal and the Cork/Kerry coast were also used after the second World War.[4]
From Twynholm the pipeline is routed overland to Stranraer and then as a submarine pipeline to Ballylumford.
Operation
The SNIP was commissioned in 1996. It is designated the Pipeline Number PL982 by the
From
See also
References
- ^ a b "NIE power plant sale agreed and BG plans gas pipeline". FT Energy Newsletters - European Energy Report. Financial Times Business Limited. 6 March 1992.
- ^ a b "World pipeline construction plans show increase into next century". Oil & Gas Journal. 6 February 1995.
- ^ Frank Urquhart And Nic Outterside (9 January 1996). "Pipeline that crossed into danger". The Scotsman.
- ^ Siggins, Lorna (29 February 1996). "Gilmore to seek joint plan on Beaufort Dyke munitions". The Irish Times.