Workshop on theprevention of accidents of gas transmission pipelines

The Hague, 8-9 March 2006

Sergiusz Ludwiczak

Setting the scene

A UNECE process to draw upsafety guidelines/good practices for pipelines

• Background

• Framework, mandate and actors

• The process so far

• Future and final outcome

Background – why safety of pipelines?

• Pipelines are increasingly important as a means of transport of large volumes of hazardous substances over long distances in the UNECE region

• Crude oil, its derivatives and natural gas are dominant among the substances transported by region’s pipelines

The region’s newest 1,600 km oil pipeline was opened in May 2005

Construction of the 1,200 km North European gas pipeline began in December 2005

Background – why safety of pipelines?

• In view of many UNECE countries, the safety of pipeline operation needs improvement

• Pipelines, like fixed installations handling hazardous substances, may be a seriousthreat to our health and our environment

Background – why safety of pipelines?

Pipeline accidents often cause significant effects

• Those involving gas often result in loss of human lives

• Those involving petroleum products can have a devastating effect on the environment

Background – why safety of pipelines?

However

Accidents can and should be prevented and their effects avoided

Background – why safety of pipelines?

• Pipelines, if well constructed, carefully monitored and properly attended, can bea safe, environmentally sound and economic means of transport

• Therefore, there is a need to raise national awareness and share experience and goodpractice among the authorities, operators and the public

Background – why in the transboundary context?

• Most pipelines cross at least one border and some cross several of them

• Regulations and requirements concerning the safety of pipeline operation differ from country to country

• Therefore, there is room for cooperation within the UNECE region

Framework, mandate and actors

• Against this background, UNECE countries decided to draw up safety guidelines/good practices for pipelines

• The UNECE provides a unique platform:

• Geographical scope (experience)

• Existing framework of MEAs, and

• Solid regional reputation

UNECE

Framework, mandate and actors

Mandate received from:

• Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents

• Meeting of the Parties to the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes

Framework, mandate and actors

• The task to draw up the guidelines was given to the joint expert group on water and industrial accidents (JEG)

• A special steering group (SG) was established to help the JEG to carry out the expert work

• Two expert workshops were included in the process to ensure the input from all stakeholders: authorities, operators and the public

The process so far

• JEG – 4th meeting – Kaliningrad, October 2003 (Initial discussion on Russian experience)

• JEG – 5th meeting – Budapest, October 2004 (Action plan agreed and endorsed by governing bodies)

• SG – 1st meeting – Berlin, March 2005(Preparation of first “DRAFT” and the first workshop)

The process so far

• Workshop on the prevention of water pollution due to pipeline accidents – Berlin, June 2005

• SG – 2nd meeting – Berlin, June 2005(Second “DRAFT” including workshop comments)

• SG – 3rd meeting – Geneva, September 2005(Third “DRAFT” + additional text – available to you)

• Workshop on the prevention of accidents of gas transmission pipelines – The Hague, March 2006

Future and final outcome

• SG – 4th meeting – The Hague, March 2006(Final “DRAFT” including workshop comments)

• JEG – 7th meeting – Geneva, April 2006(Acceptance of the final “DRAFT”)

• Bureau – 9th meeting,?, May 2006(Endorsement of the final “DRAFT”)

• Adoption by the governing bodies – 2nd half of 2006

Final outcome

Safety guidelines/good practices for pipelines

A non-legally binding document, which we hope will be widely applied by authorities, pipeline operators and the public in all UNECE member countries and which will contribute to the limitation of the number of pipeline accidents and the severity of their consequences for human health and our environment

Thank you