Press Release - 22nd August 2006
Major Seabed Survey About to Get Underway
Northern Ireland Energy Holdings, operators of the two major energy links between Northern Ireland and Scotland - the Moyle electricity interconnector and the Scotland to Northern Ireland natural gas transmission pipeline (SNIP) - today announced details of plans to survey the seabed between here and Scotland.
The 24-inch diameter SNIP pipeline is 135 kilometres long and runs from Twynholm in Scotland to Ballylumford in Northern Ireland. It transports gas to Ballylumford Power Station which generates over half of Northern Ireland's electricity needs and feeds the Phoenix Natural Gas natural gas distribution system in Belfast and the Greater Belfast area.
The Moyle Interconnector links the electricity grids of Northern Ireland and Scotland through submarine cables running between converter stations at Ballycronan More in Islandmagee, County Antrim and Auchencrosh in Ayrshire.
The survey will be conducted using a unique Norwegian vessel, the Noordhoek operated by specialist surveying contractors.
The Noordhoek today arrived in the Port of Belfast where it was received by senior management of Northern Ireland Energy Holdings as well as officials from energy regulator OFREG and the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment.
The seabed survey will be carried out over the next couple of weeks and will cover the routes of both the interconnector and the gas pipeline in one ‘campaign’.
The ability to cover both assets in one survey, now that both assets are under the ownership of Northern Ireland Energy Holdings, means that a substantial cost saving can be achieved against the time when two separate mobilizations were required.
Northern Ireland Energy Holdings Director Bill Cargo commented, “The seabed survey is an essential step to ensure that the pipelines and cables are in good condition and have not been damaged or interfered with. It is part of the process of ensuring that these important assets operate safely and reliably – as they have done for many years.”
“The joint survey is a positive example of where operating savings can be achieved now that the two previous companies have come together under the mutualised, non-shareholder umbrella of Northern Ireland Energy Holdings. And the good news is that these kinds of savings pass through ultimately in lower costs to consumers rather than as profits for shareholders”.
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Click on the photos below for a high resolution version
Above From to Left to Right: Andrew Williamson (DETI Energy Division, Maurice Smith (Maintenance Manager Moyle Interconnector Limited), Ian Davidson (NIAER), Stephen Hemphill (Operations Manager Premier Transmission Limited)
Click on the photos above for a high resolution version
Northern Ireland Energy Holdings Media Contact:
Michael McKernan, Lagan Consulting Tel: +44 (0)28 9261 9550
email: michael.mckernan@laganconsulting.com
Last Updated: 22nd August 2006