The United Kingdom Oil Pipeline (UKOP) is an oil products pipeline opened in 1969 and connecting the two (then) Shell refineries of Stanlow (Cheshire) and Shell Haven (Thames Estuary). It is administered and operated by the British Pipeline Agency (BPA), which is jointly owned by Shell and BP.
UKOP transports 7.5 million tonnes of mixed products each year distributed to major oil terminals at Buncefield and Kingsbury with spurs to Northampton and Nottingham. UKOP now draws its products from Shell Stanlow in the north and Petroplus Coryton in the south, with smaller volumes from tankage at Shell Haven. UKOP carries two grades of petrol, two grades of kerosene (including Jet A-1) and two grades of gas oil-diesel.
To ensure safety and integrity, the pipeline is patrolled by helicopter every two weeks.
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