Feasibility Study for a Satellite Monitoring and Accident prevention System for the Security of the Gas Transport and Storage Infrastructures in the Russian Federation and the NIS (00.02)

Project Description

Project brief description of activities/approaches:

• Step 1 - Analysis, review & meetings with operators (accomplished)
  • identify key infrastructures concerned by gas transit
  • review existing studies and prepare Data Book for each country (integrating all available technical and operational information)
  • prepare an outline of Regional Monitoring Centre concept
  • meet with gas operators to:
    • present and discuss the concept of RMC (role and benefit)
    • check / complete technical data and operational information
    • assess modernisation requirements of existing SCADA/telecommunication systems
• Step 2 - Definition of RMCs functional duties (draft)
  • Synthesis of meetings with operators
  • Role, organisation and duties of RMCs
  • Data requirements and exchange of information
  • Applicable rules for information management
• Step 3 - Conceptual system design of RMC
  • Technical definition
• Step 4 - System cost and economic analysis
  • Institutional building aspects
  • Cost estimate of required investments
  • Economic analysis
  • Possible financing schemes

Project Objective

The objective of the present project is to propose a regional monitoring system to oversee the operation of gas transit pipelines and related UGS facilities within the Russian Federation and NIS zone, and study its feasibility through the establishment of a number of Regional Monitoring Centres (RMC) which would monitor the gas flows on a regional level (group of countries/regions) to improve operation and enhance the security of gas supply to Europe and within the zone.

Expected Results

• The overall monitoring system would consist of several Regional Monitoring Centres (to be defined) in charge of supranational supervision of international gas transits
• Each RMC would cover several countries and communicate with National Dispatching Centres (NDCs)
• RMC would be staffed with representatives of transmission and storage operators
• A Regional Monitoring Centre (RMC) would:
• receive key operation real time data
• monitor gas supply /demand balances on a regional level
• recommend appropriate measures in case of abnormal situation
• assist and co-ordinate NDCs to implement these measures
• prepare in co-operation with NDCs advanced emergency plans
• NDCs will remain the sole entity in charge of effectively controlling transmission and storage facilities

Key assumptions

Data communication and exchange requirements will be based on:

• existing national structures
• common standards to be adopted
• Whenever necessary, existing equipment will be upgraded or replaced to meet the above requirements
• The same applies to the network components (pipelines, compressor stations...)

Main benefits for the countries concerned:

• Cost effective line-pack and facilities (compressor stations and UGS) management
• Reduction of accident risks due to unexpected situations
• Assistance provided from the RMC to NDC in emergency situations
• Rationalisation and upgrade of existing local or national SCADA systems, and
• Reaching a common level of equipment and of data transmission standardisation, improving the reliability of exchanges and communication