GRTgaz

GRTgaz
Subsidiary
Industry Oil and gas industry
Founded 1 January 2005 (2005-01-01)
Headquarters Paris, France
Key people
Philippe Boucly (CEO)
Services Natural gas transmission
Revenue €1.464 billion (2008)
€135 million (2008)
Number of employees
2,690
Parent GDF Suez
Website www.grtgaz.com

GRTgaz is the natural gas transmission system operator located in Paris, France. The operated system consists of high pressure gas pipelines with pressure exceeding 60 bars (6,000 kPa).

Status

GRTgaz is a public limited company, a subsidiary of the industrial group GDF Suez (formerly Gaz de France). It was created on 1 January 2005 in application of European directives on the European electricity and gas market. GRTgaz operates in the regulated energy sector: this means that the rates it charges for its services are public and set by the Government. Its activities are monitored by the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE). Its board of directors is made up of representatives of the Government and of personnel, independent directors and representatives of the GDF Suez Group.

Philippe Boucly has been CEO of the company for January 1, 2009.

GRTgaz's activity is a natural monopoly. However, GRTgaz does not operate France's entire gas transmission system: TIGF, a subsidiary of Total S.A., operates the transmission system in the south-western quarter of France.

Missions

GRTgaz has a dual role:

GRTgaz has a public service role: it guarantees a continuous supply of natural gas, even in times of extreme cold. Under French law, even in the event of exceptionally cold conditions, as may occur every 50 years, the transmission system must be able to meet peak consumer demand. The law defines this concept of exceptionally cold conditions as follows:

Currently, these temperatures, as calculated from previous winters, are around -1.5°C on average across France, with a minimum of -18.1°C and a maximum of -1°C, depending on the location.

Transmission system

The transmission system operated by GRTgaz covers the whole of France, with the exception of the South-West. It consists of:

Approximately every 150 kilometres (93 mi) is a compressor station, which restores pressure to the gas. Interconnection stations along the pipeline direct the gas in different directions, like a motorway interchange.

Investments

GRTgaz's 10-year investment program focuses on the following aims:

In all, the plan is to invest more than €5 billion over the period 2007-2016, including €480 million on safety and €550 million on environmental protection.

External links

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