Physical Reverse Flow in the Yamal Pipeline

abarrelfull wrote on 05 Dec 2012 07:42
Tags: europe germany pipeline poland

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On 21 November 2012, Gas Transmission Operator GAZ-SYSTEM S.A. and GASCADE Gastransport GmbH signed an agreement concerning the expansion of the Mallnow metering station with a view to enabling reverse flow service.

According to the agreement, the German operator – GASCADE – will complete the necessary investments at the cross-border point metering station in Mallnow in order to ensure the technical capability to transport natural gas from Germany to Poland through the Yamal pipeline.

The Parties expect that the required works will be completed by the end of 2013.

The Mallnow metering station located at the Polish-German border currently offers the capability to measure gas flows from the Polish section of the Yamal pipeline towards Germany. Upon the completion of additional technical works on the German side, physical flow of gas from Germany to Poland will also become possible.

The physical reverse flow service in the Yamal pipeline will be an additional element contributing to the security of gas transportation to Poland from the West, particularly in case of unexpected interruptions of planned deliveries from other directions. At the same time, the implementation of this project will ensure the conformity with the EU guidelines regarding the standards of the transmission infrastructure in the EU, which should be adapted for physical bi-directional gas flow at cross-border connections. These guidelines are set out in Regulation (EU) No 994/2010 of the European Parliament and of The Council of 20 October 2010 concerning measures to safeguard security of gas supply.

The physical reverse flow will also strengthen the virtual reverse flow service which has been offered since 2011 on an interruptible basis and enables gas imports from the western direction at the level of 2.3 bcm. Owing to the investment in the Mallnow station, it will be possible to offer the service on a firm basis, which will ensure continuous reliability of supply under the virtual reverse flow service.

• Physical Reverse Flow in the Yamal Pipeline

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