FAQ
ABOUT THE COMPANY
What is NET4GAS?
NET4GAS, s.r.o. holds a license to ship gas in the Czech Republic. Under this license, it arranges for the transit of natural gas through the Czech Republic, the import of gas from foreign suppliers to the Czech Republic, and the internal transmission of gas to domestic partners. In keeping with the Energy Act (Act No. 458/2000, as amended), it facilitates access to the transmission system based on the principle of the right of access of third parties. NET4GAS is also responsible for the shipping of natural gas stored in underground gas storage facilities. The company is a member of the Czech Gas Union and Gas Transmission Europe (GTE) – the European association of transmission system operators.
Why did RWE Transgas Net split from RWE Transgas?
The unbundling of gas transmission and trading was required under European directives and the related amendment to the Czech Energy Act. Effective as of January 1, 2006, the gas company was divided into two autonomous legal entities – the transmission system operator NET4GAS and the gas trader RWE Transgas. This ensured that there was room for further traders choosing to sell natural gas on the Czech energy market.
How much natural gas does the Czech Republic consume and where does it come from?
Customers in the Czech Republic consume approximately ten billion cubic meters of gas every year, only one percent of which is covered by national sources. The rest is imported. At present, 25% comes from Norway and 75% from Russia. The transmission system started operating in 1973. There has not been a single case of severe disruption throughout the years of cooperation with foreign partners. Even if problems were to arise, the underground gas storage facilities, with an overall capacity of close to three billion cubic meters, ensure that the Czech Republic has ample reserves.
How is natural gas transported across the Czech Republic to other countries?
NET4GAS has a transit system comprising 2,455.5 km of gas pipelines. It has six compressor stations and 22 national transfer stations. Pipes with a nominal diameter of between DN 800 and DN 1,400 transmit gas with a nominal pressure of 6.1 MPa, 7.35 MPa and 8.4 MPa.
How does the national transmission of natural gas work?
At the national transfer stations, the national system is connected to the transit system. The national system comprises 1,183 km of gas pipelines with a pipe diameter of between DN 80 and DN 700. During shipping, the gas pressure ranges from 4 MPa to 6.1 MPa; approximately 85% of the pipes are designed to cope with a pressure of 6.1 MPa. The natural gas is then transmitted from the national system via another 75 transfer stations to the distribution systems operated by regional distribution companies and to direct purchasers. Commercial gas meters are installed at all transfer stations. Gas quality is assessed at 15 intersection points in the system.
What are border transfer stations?
Natural gas is transferred to and from the Czech Republic at four border transfer stations. Two are situated in the Czech Republic, at Hora sv. Kateřiny and Lanžhot, and another two are in Germany – in Waidhaus and Olbernhau. The volume and quality of the gas is also measured there.
What are compressor stations?
Compressor stations ensure the gas in the pipes is at the correct pressure. Compressor stations in the Czech Republic can be found in Kralice nad Oslavou, Kouřim, Břeclav, Hostim, Veselí nad Lužnicí and Strážovice. They are built approximately 100 km apart from one another within the transmission system. The total installed capacity of the compressor stations is 351 MW.
NET4GAS - CLOSER TO NATURE
What is NET4GAS – Closer to Nature?
The company launched a project called NET4GAS – Closer to Nature at the beginning of 2007. Under this project, it became the general partner of the Czech Union for Nature Conservation, the largest domestic nongovernmental organization specializing in nature protection and rural conservation. NET4GAS is also the general partner of Podyjí National Park, on the border with Austria. These localities are an important part of Central European natural heritage, preserving rare species of fauna and flora for future generations.
What does the partnership between NET4GAS and the ČSOP entail?
NET4GAS contributes to the creation of new nature trails, pavement, bridges and complete information systems for visitors at between five and eight sites a year. In this respect, it helps present significant localities to the public. This is an original plan by the Czech Union for Nature Conservation, which takes care of hundreds of important natural sites throughout the Czech Republic.
How can a natural gas transmission system operator help Podyjí National Park?
Such assistance centers on developing and improving activities linked to environmental awareness and education. The renovation of the management buildings of Podyjí National Park in Čížov will give rise to a year-round conservation facility designed especially for children, young people and students.
What is the purpose of the NET4GAS grant scheme?
The NET4GAS grant scheme was set up at the beginning of 2007 and specializes in the promotion of regional development. In particular, it helps out municipalities and non-profit organizations. Projects to protect and nurture the environment, to support young people, and to promote the education or integration of people with disabilities are eligible to seek assistance.
NATURAL GAS
What is natural gas?
Natural gas is a highly calorific, colorless, tasteless, odorless naturally occurring gas with excellent utility values.It is a mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons and non-flammable components (especially nitrogen and carbon dioxide).Its hallmark is a high methane content.
How is natural gas formed?
There are several theories.As natural gas most commonly occurs together with crude oil (associated gas) or with coal (non-associated gas), it is often said to have been gradually released when the oil and coal were formed as a consequence of the steady decomposition of organic material.This means that natural gas originated from plant and animal residues.However, another theory argues that natural gas was formed from inorganic matter by a succession of chemical reactions.More recently, US scientists have come up with an abiogenetic hypothesis, according to which natural gas was created by the fission of hydrocarbons that found their way onto the planet when it was still being formed from cosmic matter.These higher hydrocarbons slowly disintegrated into methane, which subsequently rose to the surface of the Earth.
Why is natural gas one of the European Union’s priority energies?
The main reason for this is the positive impact that natural gas has on the state of the environment.Natural gas is clearly an environmentally-friendly fuel.It does not pollute the air with sulfur dioxide (SO2) or particulates such as flue ash and dust, which are linked to carcinogenic substances.When combusted, natural gas produces only thermal nitrogen oxides, with the result that NOx emissions are 25% to 30% of those produced by coal and 30% to 40% compared to liquid fuels.The amount of carbon monoxide emitted by natural gas is two times less than the quantity released by coal.Carbon dioxide emissions are also 40% to 50% lower than solid fuels and 30% to 35% lower than liquid fuels.
Why are gas pipelines said to be environmentally friendly?
Gas pipelines are laid underground and therefore they do not disfigure the landscape.Pipes with a one-meter diameter are laid a meter under the surface.The protection zone for pipes is up to thirty meters wide.Ideally, two years after the initial excavation work, the soil can be reused for its original purpose.
What are the advantages of the everyday use of natural gas?
Natural gas is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.The combustion process of gas appliances is quick and easy to control. Operating gas-powered devices is simple – before the heating season you turn on the heating appliance, and at the end of the season you turn it off again.Customers are connected directly to the distribution network, so there is no need to build storage facilities or arrange for deliveries of fuel. As a result, natural gas saves on capital costs.
How is natural gas transported from the gas fields to the customer?
As natural gas has to cover long distances from the gas field to the customer, long-distance shipping is the trickiest part of the whole process.It can be transported by pipes or, in a compressed or liquefied state, in tankers.Gas pipelines are routed over dry land and on the seabed. Tankers are used to transport gas long distances by sea. For example, they are used to supply compressed natural gas (CNG, PNG) to Europe and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Algeria, Nigeria and Australia. LNG is not currently used in the Czech Republic. However, RWE is participating in the construction of terminals on the Croatian island of Krk and in Rotterdam in the Netherlands with a view to the introduction of LNG as a possible source of natural gas for the Czech Republic.The two terminals are due to be put into operation in approximately 2010.