FAQ
GENERAL
What does a "high-pressure" gas pipeline mean?
A high-pressure gas pipeline is a system of pipelines with installations and stations allowing gas transmission under a working pressure exceeding 16 bars (16 atmospheres)
Where are high-pressure gas pipelines located in the Czech Republic?
There is a network of high-pressure gas pipelines approximately 2,460 km in length on the territory of the Czech Republic. For the most part, it is owned by NET4GAS and the individual gas distribution companies which use it for natural gas transmission. It passes through the territory of all regions and districts.
Will the construction of the new gas pipeline make natural gas cheaper for Czech customers?
The natural gas price for customers in the Czech Republic is set on the basis of an agreement between the relevant supplier and customer. Its level is determined primarily by developments in oil prices and oil products on the world markets and EUR/CZK and USD/CZK exchange rates. The construction of a new gas pipeline can therefore have only a negligible impact in this context.
Which way will gas flow in the new gas pipeline?
The gas will flow from Russia to Greifswald, Germany, and, further, through the OPAL gas pipeline to the German-Czech border, to the municipality of Brandov. The first interconnection with NET4GAS’s gas system is supposed to be made there.
Gas will mostly flow in the direction of the Czech Republic and, further, to Germany. Nevertheless, the operation has been designed as bidirectional. It is, therefore, possible to reverse the gas flow, if needed. Such a situation might occur if, for example, the sub-sea gas pipeline were not passable and, at the same time, larger quantities of gas needed to be carried to Germany through the pipelines running through the Ukraine, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
Isn’t there any other way of gas transmission than through underground pipelines?
Natural gas can be liquefied and, thereafter, transported in tanks, for instance. However, such option is much more expensive and entails many safety risks. Moreover, complex liquefying facilities, special tanker trucks and transport sets are required, including gasifying equipment at consumer sites. Gas transmission through pipelines installed in the ground is therefore considered to be the most economical and ecological solution.
ROUTE
What criteria are used to select the pipeline route alternatives?
When designing a high-pressure pipeline route, land-use planning documentation, the terrain conditions of the territory concerned, EIA outcomes, and last, but not least, the economic effectiveness of the relevant solution are considered. The pipeline route project must comply with many European standards and national technical regulations.
Will part of the route run through any cities or more densely populated areas?
The GAZELLE pipeline route is not going to run through any cities or populated areas. The gas pipeline adheres to all applicable regulations and standards regulating gas pipeline routes and operation.
Will the gas pipeline route be marked in the landscape in any way after it is built?
For the purposes of aerial surveys, points of the gas pipeline will be marked in the landscape with yellow marker posts with white discs at the top. The resulting route will be geodetically surveyed and it will be possible to locate each point of the gas pipeline through GPS.
What is the opinion of the Ministry of the Environment on the Gazelle project?
The Ministry of the Environment has given its consent for the impact assessment of the planned construction of the new pipeline. The environmental impact has been thoroughly examined under the Environmental Impact Assessment process. The Ministry has recommended the route which makes use of the existing energy corridor of gas and product pipelines and leads only partially through a new territory in the Mladotice-Chomutov section as the most suitable one.
Has NET4GAS negotiated with the representatives of municipalities along which the new pipeline should lead?
The plan to construct a new pipeline has been communicated to the mayors of all municipalities and towns in the proximity of which the pipeline should lead. Everyone has been given the opportunity to express their comments on the plan under the EIA process. All the relevant suggestions of the Ministry of the Environment have been incorporated into the conditions included in the granted consent.
What steps will NET4GAS take after the Gazelle project has successfully passed the EIA process?
RWE Plynoprojekt was ordered by NET4GAS to prepare the documentation for planning permission proceedings. At the same time NET4GAS will get in touch with all owners of the respective plots in order to conclude a contract for entry of the rights constituting an easement of the pipeline on their property.
OPERATIONAL SAFETY
Has there ever been a transit pipeline explosion in the Czech Republic?
Natural gas has been transported to the Czech Republic for more than thirty years with neither an explosion nor any gas supply interruption over this period. Only two operational accidents without any casualties or greater material damage have been recorded. In view of the existing technology and safety requirements, a gas pipeline explosion is extremely unlikely.
What health problems are caused by gas pipelines passing in the immediate vicinity of human habitations?
No health problems related to gas pipelines located close to human habitations have ever been recorded.
How will the gas pipeline impact the environment?
Gas pipelines are very friendly towards the environment. As certain activities are prohibited in the intermediate vicinity of gas pipelines, the natural face of the landscape remains preserved in gas pipeline protective zones. There will only be a short-term impact during the gas pipeline construction.
CONSTRUCTION
Why will the gas pipeline be built just now?
The project is directly linked to the construction of the OPAL line in Germany and the Nord Stream line at the bottom of the Baltic Sea. Its objective is to strengthen the capacity of the network of gas pipelines that are able to secure a stable natural gas supply to the Czech Republic and other EU countries and, in the context of the security of supply, to increase the number of routes through which this commodity flows.
How long does it take to build 1 meter of a gas pipeline?
One meter of gas pipeline is built in 2 minutes and 54 seconds, on average.
How deep will the gas pipeline be buried and what is its width?
The depth of cover (i.e. the distance between the top of the pipelines and the ground surface) typically ranges from 0.8 to 1.5 m. The designed gas pipeline ground plan is 1.4 m and its internal diameter is 1,400 mm.
Who will cover the costs of the possible disruptions of roadways, roads and pavement caused by the gas pipeline construction?
Any damage caused due to the construction will be covered by the builder – investor, i.e. NET4GAS.
When will the gas pipeline construction be finished?
The land will be returned to its original shape for agricultural use and restored to its original condition within one year at most. The GAZELLE gas pipeline is scheduled to start operation in 2011.
Is it possible to perform construction activities on the land through which the gas pipeline runs?
The areas for construction should be delimited in the land-use plans of municipalities. If a municipality does not have a land-use plan, construction activities may only be performed in its urban area, which is marked in cadastral maps and may be referred to up to the year 1966. The pipeline should run outside these areas. However, the route will ultimately be specified within the land-use planning permission procedure, in which case the municipality is an unavoidable participant to such procedure pursuant to the Building Act.
What are the rights of landowners disagreeing with the pipeline passing through their plots?
In the event that a landowner disagrees, a modification of the pipeline route will be considered. However, it is necessary to realize that options for a pipeline with a diameter of 1,400 mm are very limited. If no change is possible, provisions of Act No. 458/2000 Coll., the Energy Act, as amended, will be followed, i.e. an application for the issuance of a decision concerning the establishment of an easement by law will be filed.
Is it possible to use the land for agricultural purposes again after the pipeline construction is finished?
After the construction is finished, fields above the pipeline may be sown, ploughed or otherwise used for agricultural purposes, because the pipeline is safely buried at a depth of approximately 1 m under the ground. However, it is necessary to respect the above-ground markers (e.g. the marker posts) indicating the pipeline route in the landscape.
Will the gas pipeline construction destroy the environment?
All trucks and machinery will only use access roads, and there will be a construction corridor with a width of 36 m in open terrain and 30 m in forested areas. The construction corridor will be marked out by stakes. There will only be short-term disruption during the construction, and the impact of the project on the environment is currently being resolved in compliance with applicable legislation. The environmental impact assessment of the project has been prepared and is being discussed pursuant to Act 100/2001 Coll. (in accordance with the so-called EIA program). Environmental requirements will be incorporated in the conditions of the land-use planning decision and building permit that companies have to strictly follow during gas pipeline construction activities.
OPERATION
At what pressure will gas flow through the pipeline?
The operating pressure of the gas in the pipeline will be 7.3 MPa. (73 bars or approximately 73 atmospheres; for comparison, the recommended pressure in spare tires in vehicles is about 3 bars).
What is the service life of the gas pipeline? When can landowners expect further digging?
The life expectancy of the gas pipeline is 70 years. But if proper maintenance technology is observed, the gas pipeline can safely operate for up to 100 years.
How can the condition of a gas pipeline be evaluated and maintenance performed if it is located in the ground?
In order to investigate the condition of its gas pipelines, NET4GAS uses so-called “ smart pigs”, i.e. tools that pass through pipelines propelled by gas overpressure, i.e. its own force. Therefore, it is not necessary to carry out ground excavation in order to conduct regular inspections of the condition of the gas pipeline.
How will the gas pipeline be secured against a possible gas leak?
For the elimination of gas leaks in the pipeline, there are block-valve stations, as well as other technological junctions (e.g. scraper stations), dividing the line. All line-valves and the first valves on pipeline branches from the main pipeline will be equipped with electronic protection systems (so-called line-break systems) responding to the speed of a pressure decrease. If a leak occurs, these valves will automatically close the disrupted section of the pipeline. The gas pipeline operation will, moreover, be continuously monitored by the Dispatch Center.
How many new compressor or regulating stations will be located along the gas pipeline?
In view of the required pressure and quantity of transported gas, it is not necessary to build additional compressor and regulating stations. The existing line-valve stations in the parallel line section will also be enlarged, because there will be further interconnections with the transit system of the Czech Republic here.
What is the expected volume of gas to be taken over from the upstream infrastructure at the border crossing next to Brandov?
This volume will annually amount up to 30-33 bil. m3.
FINANCE
How much will the new gas pipeline cost?
The investment is estimated at EUR 400 million.
How will the new gas pipeline contribute to the profit of NET4GAS?
The project concerns the re-routing of the flow of gas, which is not directly linked to the profit indicator.