Ormen Lange pipeline leads to fall in UK gas prices

OilOnline reports that the Ormen Lange-Langeled pipeline has been completed well ahead of schedule. The pipeline is due to officially open on 16 October.

The pipeline, the world’s longest offshore pipeline at some 1,200km, could meet up to 20% of the UK’s gas demand.

This has various media outlets speculating onwhat this may mean for gas customers in the UK.

pipeline primer

Pipelines have received some bad press lately. Not that they ever had much good press in the first place! But what is a pipeline and why use one? And why do they fail and what causes them to fail with such lethal consequences?

As a primer to pipelines, I’ve collected some links which will hopefully educate the reader on pipelines.

Pipeline101, an introduction to pipelines by API and APOL.

Wikipedia entry on pipelines as a means of transportation.

HSE portal on pipeline health and safety in the United Kingdom, and the key document The Pipeline Safety Regulations 1996.

OPS website (part of PHMSA), dedicated to safe operation of pipelines in the United States. DOT also has an introduction to pipelines.

Pipeline Safety Trust.