Country

Germany

Japan

UK

USA

Multi-layer PE pipes are used instead of PEX. Cross-linked polyethylene (PE-X) pipes are used instead of PE.

Comments

Equal-branching methods in PE pipes which reduces the cost and the amount of the work to be done

PE100 and colorless PE pipe with a peelableyellow PVC coating are used.

Some companies are looking at Polyamide 11 because of its excellent resistance to temperature and the environment.

BUSINESS PRACTICE DEVELOPMENT NEW TECHNOLOGIES FOR CUSTOMER CONNECTIONS

Keyhole Technology in Canada

Coring cutter

Core Replacement

On-site Recycling Asphalt

Multi-utility pipe installation

`R-Cutter Machine` for

Round CuttingBamboo Shoot Mole

Deregulation Trends Deregulation Trends

Deregulation Trends Deregulation TrendsEconomical and environmental

aspectMaterials and connectionMulti - utility

Keyhole Technology in Japan

No-Dig Technology

Level of Separation - Commodity Sales

Advanced Stage

Early Stage Some Advanced

Stage

Full Separation - NoCommodity Sales from

System Operator

Residential/Commercial/Industrial Commodity

Sales

Large IndustrialCommodity Sales

0

100

200

Number of Days Required to InstallResidential AttachmentsN

umbe

r of

Day

s

Early Stage Some Advanced

Stage

Advanced Stage

Retailer Consolidated

Billing

Split Billing

System Operator

Bill

Billing Options

Early Stage Some Advanced

Stage

Advanced Stage

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Early Stage Some Advanced

Stage

Advanced Stage

% C

ompe

ting

Gas

Com

pani

es

Abi

lityt

o B

uild

on

Net

wor

k

Percent Competing Gas CompaniesAbility to Build on Network

WOC 5 DistributionWOC 5 DistributionStudy Group 5.1 Challenging the customer connection processChallenging the customer connection process

Meter

Gas Quality

AMR

AdditionalServices

Energy Metering

Increasingaccuracy

Average calculated CVBased on volume andCV measurement

Combined with AMR Costs reduction Different services: security,health monitoring Investment refund timereduction

Lowering costs andincreasing accuracyof measurements Integrated deviceswith PTZ correction

Technologically available Limited application High initial costs

Increasing use ofchromatographs Increasing number of CVmeasuring points

Improvingsafety

Study Group 5.2 Metering evolution in a competitive marketMetering evolution in a competitive market

Deregulation will not affect safetypolicies.

The human factor and its influence on safety operations

Survival of gas companies undercost reduction pressure

The future role of the Regulation Authorities

Deregulation will not affect safety policies but may impact on the ability of the gas companies to maintain safety levels, due to possible insufficient recovery of distribution costs through the tariff mechanism.

Safety in the gas industry is currently being ensured and delivered through the skill, knowledge and experience of a well trained workforce.In the longer term safety will be ensured through proper implementation of risk and performance based processes in the industry.The loss of the experienced workforce through retirement without ongoing employment and training of new staff is a business risk that will need managing and funding.

Financial survival of gas companies is the main initial priority during the early stages of liberalisation of the industry.Cost reduction measures are often necessary.Maintaining safety standards of operation in this financial background will need to be carefully managed and supported. Failure to achieve this, will result in decreases in safety operation levels.

In the future the Regulator may have to assume the role of a controller influenced largely by public opinion, and may have to get involved in the formation of safety standards, dependent on industry experience.

Study Group 5.3 Safety issues versus deregulationmain conclusions

Safety issues versus deregulationmain conclusions