ENTSOG Annual Report 2016

GAS QUALITY

Impact analysis of a reference to the EN16726:2015 in the network code on Interoperability and Data Exchange

First long-term gas quality monitoring outlook alongside TYNDP 2017

ENTSOG published the detailed impact analysis as re- quested by EC and recommended not to amend the Inter- operability network code. This conclusion is consistent with the announcement of EC at Madrid Forum on the 7 October 2016. The analysis has shown that a whole EU chain implementa- tion of the EN16726, despite providing certainty on the rules and removing any contracting difficulties, would face significant legal barriers and produce widespread negative impacts across segments and Member States. According to stakeholder input to the process, security of supply would be compromised by a reduced access to ex- isting or new sources and supply routes whose qualities are accepted today but would be rejected if the standard is ap- plied (e. g. 20% of UK supplies in 2015 due to the CO ² and O ² limits). Sustainability and competitiveness could be also unintendedly impaired. In this process as well as in the monitoring of the INT NC, as of today, no evidence of cross-border trade restrictions in normal conditions has been revealed. An amendment of the network code to include a reference to EN16726:2015 – even as an optional tool – is not deemed necessary. Public consultations – both among the most responded in ENTSOG’s record – have shown that any voluntary national application of the standard should carefully examine impli- cations for the whole chain, including cross-border effects, and consider higher flexibility for specific requirements at entry and exit points.

Article 18 of the Interoperability Network Code requires ENTSOG to publish, alongside TYNDP, a long-term gas quality monitoring outlook for transmission systems in order to identify the potential trends of gas quality parameters – namely WI and GCV – and respective potential variability within the next 10 years. TYNDP 2017 is the first edition in- corporating the Gas Quality Outlook The WI and GCV ranges in the outlook depend more strong- ly on regions than on any other factor and seem to remain relatively stable for the next ten years. Trends seem to be in general not very sensitive to different price configurations. However, within one region, ranges may actually differ de- pending on the influence of different sources: LNG rising the higher limit and indigenous production the lower.

Collaboration with CEN standardisation work on Wobbe Index

ENTSOG continued supporting the standardisation work be- ing carried out by CEN to find a European agreement on Wobbe Index. A definition of this parameter (including pos- sible regional bands) is key for safety and necessary for completing the gas quality standard. ENTSOG has joined the relevant CEN working groups and will contribute with its expertise to achieving the common target.

Example gas quality outlook graph

Wobbe Index (kWh/m 3 , 25/0)

Wobbe Index (kWh/m 3 , 15/15)

South – LNG Min

53.10

15.50

52.10

15.00

51.10

50.10

14.50

49.10

48.10

14.00

47.10

46.10

13.50

2017

2019

2021

2023

2025

2027

2029

2031

High probability

Low probability

2.5 and 97.5 percentiles

50 percentile (median)

ENTSOG Annual Report 2016 |

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