Transport infrastructures and safety achieved by prevention at Teréga

Our entire Gas transport grid is interconnected with the adjacent transport grids and the natural gas underground storage and production sites. It is optimised with six compression stations. Depending on their capacities, some of our installations are classified as Installations Classified for Environmental Protection (ICPE) with authorisation. This applies to:

• Barbaira,

• Mont,

• Lussagnet,

• Sauveterre de Guyenne.

 In addition, transport pipelines are concerned by regulations on the safety of pipelines transporting combustible gases, liquid or liquefied hydrocarbons and chemicals known as “Multifluid orders”. This regulatory framework specifies the technical provisions to which gas transport infrastructures are subject: pipelines and associated installations (compression stations, shutoff points, delivery points).

Thus, the safety of our transport infrastructures is an absolute priority. It is even a fundamental value and a permanent requirement, an essential component of our DNA.

In terms of industrial safety, we are constantly strengthening our risk management processes by applying recognised standards and developing new processes adapted to our constraints and requirements. This involves both industrial safety engineering, natural risks, equipment maintenance, crisis management, etc.

Risk control starts with risk identification and evaluation work. An approach that we apply from design to facility operation. This identification/evaluation is carried out within the framework of hazard studies:

• Either in the case of construction projects, modification of pipelines or associated installations. It sets out the steps taken to reduce the possibility and impact of accidents. It also sets out the measures made during design (compensatory measures) and operation.

• Every five years, a generic hazard assessment is carried out on our entire network, including our associated installations. It is submitted to the administration and presents the risks, preventive and protective measures implemented. Alongside it, there is a long-term programme of compensatory measures increasing the safety of systems in areas which have seen new urban development.

Actions to prevent and deal with accidents are organised through a safety management system (SMS) that aims to meet the regulatory operator.

In particular, our SMS comprises eight activities: 

• Organisation and training,

• Identification and assessment of risks related to accidental phenomena,

• Control of the operation,

• Change management,

• Emergency situation management,

• Feedback management,

• Specific follow-up of singular points,

• Control of the Safety Management System, audits and management reviews.

Through our monitoring and maintenance plan (MMP), we are also implementing inspection and modernisation initiatives for our infrastructures, which help to ensure the safe operation of gas transport infrastructures. 

We conduct regular exercises as part of our monitoring and response plans (MRP), in consultation with the emergency services, to remain prepared for any accidents that may occur. These plans define:

• Organisation,

• Methods of intervention,

• Resources to be implemented in the event of an accident,

• Coordination of our actions with the rescue services.

The snagging of our gas pipelines during third-party work represents a major industrial risk. We have therefore implemented a policy to prevent these accidents with special protective measures in response to the regulations:

• marking and terminals for the marking and physical identification of our network. They are subject to constant checking from the air and on foot,

• a pipe thickness often greater than required by the regulations in rural areas, to anticipate increased urbanisation, and in areas with a high level of work,

• a burial depth of the pipelines greater than the minimum defined by the regulations, since 2000,

• additional protection for pipelines has where they cross roads, railways, rivers and streams,

• safety management and consideration of the human factor.

In addition, in line with our commitment as a responsible player, we are making construction professionals, local residents and farmers aware of the need to declare their work in order to avoid accidents. We also conduct information mailings (approximately 26,000 awareness mailings per year) to landowners whose properties are affected by easements. 

Every year we respond to more than 20,000 requests for work projects (DT) and declarations of intention to commence work (DICT).