WOC3 – focusing on transmission

Held in March in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the WOC3 meeting had two main aims. These were to share knowledge on gas transmission systems and to confirm research in the areas of:

- Regulation of gas transmission - Safety and security of supply - New technologies and pipeline monitoring; and the contribution of gas transmission to climate protection and sustainable development.

Results from the research are confidential, however findings to date indicate that regulation of gas transmission tariffs will, in due time, have a negative effect on funds available for maintenance (and expansion) of transmission grids, and subsequently on the safety performance and continuity of supply within five to ten years. In addition, results have shown that the most common threats to gas transmission systems worldwide are corrosion and third party damage.

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WOC4 – focusing on distribution

In April the WOC4 meeting, which was held in Paris, France, aimed to assess progress of the committee’s research into the areas of gas distribution asset management and leakage reduction strategies and practices, as well as the development of best practices for prevention of third party interference. The research is based on data obtained from a global survey of 53 respondent gas distribution owners/operators from 28 countries.

The committee’s findings to date reveal that half of the respondents’ asset management systems are influenced by other infrastructure industries, in particular electricity. It also found that the top three issues affecting the way an asset management system is developed are asset age, leakage patterns and security of supply.

The research also found that these companies rated environmental requirements and issues relating to customers as least influential in relation to their asset management systems. The results showed that there is an overall preference for legislation to cover safety issues, however regulation covers technical issues more than safety. It was found that in Australia reactive maintenance is preferred over proactive maintenance.

WOC4 recommendations

The committee’s recommendations included implementing an asset management system that covers a time span of at least ten years, sharing knowledge on leak forecasts with other companies, working with the electricity industry to reduce impact, and conducting proactive maintenance.

WOC3 will meet again twice prior to presenting its research findings at the World Gas Conference in October 2009.

Acknowledgements

Ms Jinks was granted funding by the AGIT and GHD to attend the WOC3 and WOC4 meetings. She thanks both GHD and AGIT for funding the trips and their continued support.