Natural Gas Emergency Plan

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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
How to use the training material
This package has been designed to take you
through the key aspects of the Natural Gas
Emergency Plan. It will be useful to have a copy
of the plan available to refer to as you go
through this training package. The Task List box
on each page will enable you to navigate around
the package just click on any of the
buttons. If you want to know more about a
specific subject you can click on any box with a
red outline for more information.
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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
Learning Aims

• When you have completed this training package you
  will be able to describe
• The Role of the National Gas Emergency Manager
• The Role of the Gas Emergency Planning Group
• The Role of the Gas Emergency Response Team
• The Triggers for Declaring an Emergency
• The Activation Operation of the Team
• Supporting Procedures

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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
Aim Purpose of the Natural Gas Emergency Plan

• The Aims of the Plan are to
• Protect the Safety of the General Public
• Protect Property Key Infrastructure
• Minimise Distribution
• The Purpose of the Plan is to
• Detail the Arrangements for Managing a Gas
  Supply Emergency
• Describe the Arrangements for Managing
  Electricity Interactions
• Define the Roles Responsibilities of all
  Responders

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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
Emergency Framework
GOVERNMENT CIVIL EMERGENCIES
NATURAL GAS EMERGENCY PLAN
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NGEP TRANSMISSION (BORD GAIS)
NGEP DISTRIBUTION (BORD GAIS)
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JOINT EIRGRID/BG EMERGENCY PLAN
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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
Emergency Planning
GAS EMERGENCY PLANNING GROUP (GEPG)

• Emergency Planning body chaired by the NGEM with
  representation from government (CER) and from
  across the gas and electricity industries.
• Responsible for ensuring the effectiveness of the
  NGEP including reviewing testing and developing
  the emergency arrangements. The Group would
  typically meet quarterly.

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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
Emergency Response
GAS EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (GERT)

• Emergency Response body chaired by the NGEM with
  a core membership of CER Gaslink Bord Gais and
  EirGrid.
• The GERT would only be established in the event
  of a gas supply emergency or to test the
  arrangements and would be responsible for
  managing the operational response.

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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
Structure of the Plan
PART A BACKGROUND
Describes the framework for emergency planning
and response.
PART B OPERATIONS
Describes the arrangements for the activation and
operation of the Gas Emergency Response Team
PART C SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Provides supporting information documentation
and procedures.
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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
SECTION A - Background
Scope
1.0
Purpose
2.0
Governance
3.0
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Framework
4.0
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Roles Responsibilities
5.0
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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
SECTION B - Operations
Triggers
6.0
Activation
7.0
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Operation
8.0
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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
SECTION C Supporting Information
Contact Information
9.0
Supporting Procedures
10.0
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Capability
11.0
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Administration
12.0
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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
Triggers
INCIDENT TRIGGER
Describes the triggers for declaring a potential
or actual emergency and the information source.
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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
Activation
ACTIVATION
Describes the arrangements for notification and
declaration of a potential or actual emergency
and the implementation of the plan.
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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
Operation
OPERATION
Describes the arrangements for the operation of
the plan.
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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
Gas Emergency Response Team Structure
CORE TEAM
Emergency Control
NGEM
GERT
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Gas Industry
Electricity Industry
Bord Gais
EirGrid
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Government
CER
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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
Emergency Response Templates
INCIDENT DECLARATION
SITUATION REPORT (SITREP)
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ACTION PLAN
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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
Role Guidance Notes
NATIONAL GAS EMERGENCY MANAGER
BORD GAIS NETWORKS REPRESENTATIVE
EIRGRID REPRESENTATIVE
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CER REPRESENTATIVE
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GAS EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM SUPPORT TEAM
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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
Summary
You have now completed the training package. If
there are uncertain on any points covered in the
material or you require any further information
please contact Gaslink at www.gaslink.ie
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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
Government Civil Emergency Arrangements

• The lead government department for gas
  emergencies is
• Department for Communication Energy Natural
  Resources
• DCENR would normally be contacted by CER in an
  emergency
• but may participate in the Response Team if
  necessary.
• DCENR would provide an interface with the
  Central Government
• emergency response engaging with other
  government
• departments as required.

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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
Natural Gas Emergency Plan

• The Natural Gas Emergency Plan details the
  arrangements for
• the management of a gas supply emergency.
• The Plan defines the role of the National Gas
  Emergency Manager
• and the Response Team.
• The Plan is approved by CER who also appoints
  the National
• Gas Emergency Manager.
• The Plan has three supporting procedures
• NGEP Transmission
• NGEP Distribution
• Joint EirGrid/Bord Gais Emergency Plan

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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
Gas Emergency Planning Group

• The Gas Emergency Planning Group is chaired by
  Gaslink and includes representation from the gas
  industry electricity industry and government.
• The role of the group is as follows
• To regularly review the NGEP and ensure that is
  fit for purpose
• To ensure that the NGEP is exercised normally
  annually
• To ensure relevant personnel are trained/briefed
  and
• To review the learning from national and
  international incidents.

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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
Gas Emergency Response Team
CORE TEAM
The Gas Emergency Response Team is called by the
NGEM in the event of a gas supply emergency.
Representatives from industry and government
participate and the body is supported by Bord
Gais Networks.
NGEM Emergency Control
GERT
Bord Gais Gas Industry
EirGrid Electricity Industry
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CER Government
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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
NGEP Section A Scope

• Section A provides the background to the NGEP and
  
• would be read in advance of an emergency.
• Scope
• Describes the legal status of the plan and
  outlines key aims specifically
• To protect the safety of the general public
• To protect property and key infrastructure and
• To minimise disruption resulting from the
  emergency

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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
NGEP Section A Purpose

• Section A provides the background to the NGEP and
  
• would be read in advance of an emergency.
• 2. Purpose
• Describes the purpose and objectives of the
  plan specifically
• Appointment of the NGEM
• Approval of the NGEP
• Roles and responsibilities of responders
• Interactions with the electricity industry
• Interactions with connected systems and
• Arrangements for managing an emergency.

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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
NGEP Section A Governance

• Section A provides the background to the NGEP and
  
• would be read in advance of an emergency.
• Governance
• The NGEP is prepare by Gaslink and is approved
  by the
• Commission for Energy Regulation (CER).
• The NGEM is appointed by the NGEM and this role
  is
• currently filled by a member of Gaslink.

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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
NGEP Section A Framework

• Section A provides the background to the NGEP and
  
• would be read in advance of an emergency.
• Framework
• Describes the framework in place for the
  management of a gas supply emergency including
  the roles and responsibilities of the following
• Gas Emergency Planning Group and
• Gas Emergency Response Team

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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
NGEP Section A Roles Responsibilities

• Section A provides the background to the NGEP and
  
• would be read in advance of an emergency.
• Roles Responsibilities
• Describes the roles and responsibilities of all
  gas industry
• government and other responders to a gas supply
• emergency.

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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
NGEP Section B Triggers

• Section B contains operational information and
  would be used
• during an emergency.
• Triggers
• Describes the three different categories of
  emergency
• that would trigger the activation of the NGEP
  specifically
• Gas supply emergency
• Electricity supply emergency and
• Other (e.g. severe weather or pandemic)

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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
NGEP Section B Activation

• Section B contains operational information and
  would be used
• during an emergency.
• Activation
• This section describes the following
  arrangements
• Notification of an emergency
• Declaration of an emergency and
• Activation of the NGEP.
• This section also describes the structure of the
• Gas Emergency Response Team and the roles
• and responsibilities of team members.

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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
NGEP Section B Operation

• Section B contains operational information and
  would be used
• during an emergency.
• 8. Operation
• This section describes operation of the Gas
  Emergency
• Response Team including
• Information gathering
• Incident assessment
• Development of the action plan
• Progress monitoring and
• Stranddown review and reporting.

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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
NGEP Section C

• Section C contains the supporting information and
  documentation required to implement the plan.
• In part 10 this includes
• Role Guidance Notes
• Response Templates and
• Supporting Procedures.
• Part 11 describes the capability requirements for
  the NGEM.
• Part 12 describes the arrangements for updating
  the NGEP.

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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
Triggers
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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
Activation
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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
Operation
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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
Role of the National Gas Emergency Manager

• The National Gas Emergency Manager (NGEM) is
  appointed by CER.
• The NGEM role is currently filled by Gaslink as
  system operator.
• The role of the NGEM is
• The declaration of a Natural Gas Supply
  Emergency
• The activation of the Gas Emergency Response
  Team
• To act as Incident Controller leading the Team
• To authorise emergency actions under the Plan
• The declaration of the end of an emergency.

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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
Role of Bord Gais

• The role of Bord Gais is
• To operate the gas supply network
• To provide the interface with the gas industry
• To provide the interface with PTL and National
  Grid
• To provide information to the NGEM
• To provide the Support Team for the NGEM
• To issue directions on behalf of the NGEM

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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
Role of EirGrid

• The role of EirGrid is
• To operate the electricity supply network
• To provide the interface with the electricity
  industry
• To provide the interface with SONI and National
  Grid
• To provide information to the NGEM
• Note EirGrid is responsible for the management
  of
• electricity supply emergencies and has
  its own
• emergency arrangements in place.

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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
Role of CER

• The role of CER is
• To provide the interface with Central Government
• To liaise with the Lead Government Department
  DECNR
• To liaise with the UK regulators.
• To request emergency powers when appropriate.

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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
Incident Declaration

• The Incident Declaration Template enables the
  NGEM to
• communicate the following information
• Date and time of the incident
• Description of the incident
• Contact information for the NGEM and
• Actions to be taken by the recipients.
• Incident updates and further directions would
  normally be
• issued by the NGEM using this template.

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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
Situation Report (SITREP)

• The Situation Report (SITREP) template will
  enable all key information relating to the
  incident to be gathered including
• Incident description (e.g. location and
  casualties)
• Current situation
• Risk assessment (e.g. worst case scenario)
• Actions being taken and
• Communications (e.g. media response).
• The SITREP should be maintained and updated
  throughout
• the emergency.

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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
Action Plan

• The Action Plan template enables the NGEM to
• Detail the actions to be taken in response to
  the emergency
• Assign owners for the actions
• Define timescales for completion and
• Monitor progress.

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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
National Gas Emergency Manager

• The NGEM is responsible for the direction of the
  response to a gas supply emergency in accordance
  with the Natural Gas Emergency Plan.
• TASKS
• Determine if it is necessary to declare an
  emergency based on information provided.
• Declare an emergency in accordance with the
  Natural Gas Emergency Plan using the template in
  Section 10 Supporting Procedures.
• Confirm NGEM contact information for all
  responders involved in the emergency.
• Establish the Gas Emergency Response Team
  confirming membership location communications
  and time/frequency of meetings.
• In conjunction with the Gas Emergency Response
  Team develop a Situation Report (SITREP) see
  Section 10.
• Approve the SITREP and agree the circulation list
  for use by the BGN support team.
• In conjunction with the Gas Emergency Response
  Team develop an Action Plan for responding to the
  emergency see Section 10.

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NGEM TASKLIST
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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
Bord Gais Network Representative

• To provide information on the operation of the
  gas supply network and support Gaslink the NGEM
  and the response team.
• TASKS
• Provide information on the emergency to the NGEM
  including nature of the incident and the
  current/projected supply/demand balance.
• Ensure that the NGEM emergency declaration is
  sent to all emergency responders.
• Establish the support team for the Gas Emergency
  Response Team and provide suitable meeting and
  communications facilities.
• Provide the gas industry input into the
  development and amendment of the Situation Report
  (SITREP).
• Following approval by the NGEM ensure that the
  SITREP is sent to all agreed responders
  confirming receipt.
• Provide the gas industry input into the
  development and amendment of the Action Plan.
• Following approval by the NGEM ensure that all
  necessary Directions are issued on behalf of
  the NGEM.
• Monitor the effectiveness of Action Plan and
  report to the Gas Emergency Response Team as
  appropriate.

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BORD GAIS TASKLIST
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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
EirGrid Representative

• To provide relevant information and guidance on
  the operation of the electricity transmission
  system and generation capability in the Republic
  of Ireland.
• TASKS
• Provide information on the impacts on the
  electricity industry of the emergency to the
  NGEM.
• Confirm the contact information for the EirGrid
  Representative and the emergency team.
• Provide the electricity industry input into the
  development and amendment of the Situation Report
  (SITREP).
• Ensure that all relevant sectors of the
  electricity industry are briefed on the
  emergency.
• Provide the electricity industry input into the
  development and amendment of the Action Plan.
• Implement any NGEM Directions in accordance with
  the Gaslink/EirGrid joint procedure see Section
  10.
• Manage any required switching to alternative
  supplies by power generators and/or electricity
  demand management.

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EIRGRIDTASKLIST
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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
CER Representative

• To provide the interface with the central
  government response to access emergency powers
  and to provide guidance on government issues.
• TASKS
• Provide information on the impacts on government
  of the emergency to the NGEM.
• Confirm the contact information for the CER
  Representative and the emergency team.
• Provide the regulatory input into the development
  and amendment of the Situation Report (SITREP).
• Ensure that all relevant government departments
  and agencies are briefed on the emergency.
• Provide the regulatory input into the development
  and amendment of the Action Plan.
• Implement any NGEM Directions and requests for
  government powers in accordance with the
  Arrangements for Obtaining Emergency Powers
  below.
• Monitor the effectiveness of Action Plan and
  report to the Gas Emergency Response Team as
  appropriate.

CER TASKLIST
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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
Support Team

• To ensure that the Gas Emergency Response Team
  has access to all required facilities and to
  provide guidance to the NGEM on the application
  of the plan.
• The Gas Emergency Response Team Support Team is
  provided by BGN and has three key roles.
• Support Manager
• Provide leadership for the support team.
• Ensure that the Response Team has all required
  office facilities.
• Ensure that the Response Team has all required
  communications.
• Provide guidance to the NGEM on the application
  of the plan.
• Information Manager
• Gather and assess all information from
  responders.
• Develop and maintain the Situation Report
  (SITREP).
• Develop and maintain the Action Plan.
• Issue SITREPS and NGEM Directions.

SUPPORT TEAM
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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
Five Steps of a Gas Emergency Response
STEP 1

• Declaration of Potential Emergency
• Seek voluntary maximisation of supplies
• Seek voluntary load reduction
• Interrupt storage injection

STEP 2

• Declaration of Actual Emergency
• Formal declaration of an emergency by the NGEM
• Formal request for maximisation of gas supplies

STEP 3

• Firm Load Shedding
• Power Generation
• Large Daily Metered Consumers
• Daily Metered Consumers
• Non Daily Metered Domestic Appeal

STEP 4

• Allocation Isolation
• Allocation of available gas supply
• Isolation of networks as necessary

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STEP 5

• Restoration
• Notification of end of emergency
• Progressive restoration of supplies
• Note the NGEM can implement restoration at any
  point in the emergency

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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
NGEP - Transmission
The NGEP Transmission describe the detailed
procedure for managing a gas supply emergency in
accordance with the Natural Gas Emergency
Plan. The plan describe the
of the emergency response.
Five Steps
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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
NGEP - Distribution

• The NGEP Distribution describes how Bord Gais
  networks will respond to local and national gas
  supply emergencies complying with the directions
  of the NGEM.
• The plan describes the arrangements for the
  following
• Firm load shedding of daily and non-daily
  metered consumers
• Isolation and restoration of distribution
  networks and
• The management of priority and vulnerable
  consumers.

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Natural Gas Emergency Plan
EirGrid/Bord Gais Emergency Procedure
The EirGrid/Bord Gais Emergency Procedure
describes the arrangements for communications
between the gas industry and the electricity
industry in a gas supply emergency. Electricity
generation can account for up to 80 of gas
demand in the Republic of Ireland and the
procedure details the process for reducing gas
demand by power stations switching to alternative
fuel supplies.
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