Constraint Due to Unexpected Pressure Issues

5 August 2025

BBL Company is currently experiencing a constraint in its available technical reverse flow capacity due to lower-than-expected pressure at the Bacton Gas Terminal within Britain’s National Transmission System. 

The situation has arisen from planned maintenance on National Gas assets, combined with recently announced maintenance on supply assets, resulting in lower-than-anticipated grid pressure.
Based on updated information from NGT regarding these maintenance activities, the expected exit pressure at Bacton is likely to remain below the level required to sustain BBL’s maximum technical reverse flow capacity of 7.7 GWh/h.
As a result, BBL Company has decided to prolong the constraint situation, which began on gas day 4 August 2025, until 26 August 2025. During this period, the available technical capacity will be reduced, based on the maximum flow BBL Company can realize under the actual pressure conditions at Bacton exit. The expected capacity reduction is 1.1 GWh/h, resulting in a revised available technical capacity of 6.6 GWh/h.
This constraint has been communicated via an Urgent Market Message (UMM). Any changes to the situation will also be published through this channel.

BBL Company will continue to monitor the situation in close cooperation and alignment with NGT. BBL Company regrets the inconvenience caused and consults regularly with NGT to optimise the situation as much as possible under the current circumstances.


Update 25 August 2025: The UMM has been extended by two days, despite UKCS coming back online, which may lead to increased pressure at the Bacton exit. In the meantime, BBL will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide a new update on Wednesday.


Update 27 August 2025: Due to ongoing uncertainty regarding expected pressure levels at the Bacton exit, a further two-day extension of the UMM is required. BBL continues to monitor the situation closely and will provide a new update on Friday.


Update 29 August 2025: BBL Company has decided that the current constraint will be lifted on 30 August at 06:00. The company will continue to closely monitor the situation.


 

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