Key oil pipeline to close
Updated on 25 April 2008
An oil pipeline which provides a third of the UK's daily oil output is to close as a result of the Grangemouth dispute.
The Forties pipeline, which provides Britain with a third of the UK's daily oil output, is to close as a result of the planned industrial action at the Ineos Grangemouth oil refinery in Scotland, operators say.
The pipeline, which is run by BP not Ineos, needs steam and electricity from Grangemouth to keep pumping the 725,000 barrels of crude oil and 80 million cubic metres of gas a day down the line.
Grangemouth oil pipe connections
Watch an animation explaining how the Forties pipeline is connected to Grangemouth and the rest of the UK.
With unions planning a mass meeting for this afternoon ahead of Sunday and Monday's action, Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond has reassured consumers that there are enough stocks to last well into May.
