Gas Operational Forum –Thursday 22nd June 2017
Gas Operational Forum Minutes
Ops Forum Pack
Meeting Date:
Location:
Start Time:
June
Thursday 22nd June 2017
Radisson Blu Edwardian Grafton
10:30 – 13:30
National Grid
National Grid
National Grid
Xoserve/ICE Endex
*Audience Total = 25
Karen Thompson (KT)
Angharad Williams (AW)
Josh Bates (JB)
Dave Turpin (DT) - Xoserve
Attendance
Y Vinny Thiara (VT)
Y Phil Hobbins (PH)
Y
Y Jason Pegley (JP) ICE
Y
Y
Sarah Carrington (SC)
Sally Thatcher (ST)
Y
Y
Y
*Please refer to the attendee list for further information
Agenda
Item
Minutes
-
-
Winter Review
-
-
-
-
-
Operational Overview
-
-
Action
Ref
KT gave an overview of the Winter Review document published on the 15th June.
Highlighting the changes seen within winter 16/17 and the need for a more agile and
dynamic network to enable customers to respond to market opportunities.
Gas demand in most categories, other than gas for electricity generation, was close
to the forecasts in the Winter Outlook Report.
This was due to a reduction in available coal generation capacity and reduced EU
imports of electricity.
Storage injection was up 50% from 1.2bcm in 2015/16 to 1.8bcm. There was more
cycling of storage, as shippers refilled the medium-range storage facilities to
accommodate the absence of Rough.
As predicted Ireland and IUK exports were much lower than winter 2015/16
Attention was drawn to the importance of industry feedback with regards to the
questions asked within the document such that our Winter Outlook can provide the
most accurate information for the upcoming Winter - Winter consultation is now open
and closes on 14 July. NG would particularly welcome initial views on our cold day
forecasts
To conclude KT provided an insight of the outlook for this winter, based on NG’s
preliminary analysis. NG expects that there will be sufficient gas available this winter
to meet demand through a wide range of supply sources.
KT also emphasised the key SO publications in 2017 & 2018 that are available, it
was noted that there would be great value in highlighting some of the key documents
as part of our Winter Webinar Programme this year – ACTION NG to publish
webinar by mid-September.
http://www2.nationalgrid.com/UK/Industry-information/Future-of-Energy/FES/WinterOutlook/
KT provided an operational overview of supply and demand factors as well as
highlighting the in trends in comparison to previous years. Main points include:
Gas Supply – Bacton Terminal (exc Interconnectors) has increased from an
average flow of 28mcm/d in Apr & May 2016 compared to 35mcm/d in Apr & May
2017 this is due to the new field Cygnus flowing into Bacton Amoco from the start of
December 2016.
A continued reduction of supply from Milford Haven where LNG average flow for
April & May 2017 was 27mcm/d compared to last year of 38mcm/d. This is due to
commercial drivers where LNG producers being able to get better prices from Asian
markets.
A reduction of Interconnector average Imports this year compared to last year due to
BBL not flowing. In April & May 17 imports was 1mcm/d compared to 8mcm/d in Apr
& May 16. BBL imported during April 16, but not April 17.
Gas Demand Breakdown – IUK Exports during April and May 2017 were
significantly larger than the same period last year (39mcm/d vs 23mcm/d). This is
thought to be due to Rough storage facility being unavailable.
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Gas Operational Forum –Thursday 22nd June 2017
-
-
-
Project Nexus/VOC
Xoserve Service Desk
-
-
-
ICE ENDEX
Transmission
Workgroup Update
-
Storage Injection during April and May 2017 was lower than the same period last
year (11.5mcm/d vs 19mcm/d); this is also due to the restriction at Rough.
Max LDZ demand of 172 mcm is higher than expected due to an unusually cold day
in April where total demand reached 306 mcm.
KT also requested feedback in relation to the weekend of 17thJune 2017 where there
was limited response to the balancing actions of NG (where the system balance had
been light and NG had traded >13mcm but only saw a net increase in stock of
2.3mcm). It was suggested this could be due to the time at which NG too actions.
ACTION – NG to provide data analysis from the weekend of 17th June.
DT from Xoserve gave a comprehensive overview of the Nexus project and also
highlighted the consequential changes from the system implementation. Overall it
had been very successful but DT was conscious of some of the unexpected changes
that had been raised as a result from unexpected problems with the flow of data to
Gemini. The current issues were discussed & DT highlighted the priority that was
being given to resolve.
There were interesting discussions in relation to the new way that UIG was
calculated. A concern was raised that some of the UIG figures had been changing
significantly between D+1 to D+5 close out and had created some quite large
negative and positive proportion of LDZ total for some days in June.
Another point was raised to which customers raised concern around the DM element
of the calculation was being based in between 20%-25% of cases on estimates at
D+1. It was highlighted that there was an Ofgem review group regarding UIG which
met on 14 June and the details from this group could be shared.
ACTION – To create a UIG webinar in September in order to increase a better
understanding in this particular area. However from a short term perspective
NG/Xoserve are keen to help facilitate any specific questions in relation to UIG and
urge customers to send questions to [email protected] by
Friday 7th July.
AW hosted an interactive session in order to gain valuable customer feedback with
regards to Gemini system queries. The interactive session encouraged the audience
to score the service desk out of 10 and provide feedback on a simple traffic light
template for which the service desk should stop, start and continue to do. AW
emphasised the importance to Xoserve & NG that the service desk meets customer
expectations and will take all comments and suggestions back and articulate it
across the business in order to make improvements. ACTION – All find findings from
the session to be articulated into an action plans and to be shared at a forthcoming
forum.
JP from ICE Endex provided an OCM market update including a high level summary
of the volume & trades per month, active members, NGG share per day & SAP/SMP
prices since 1st March 2017.
KT provided an update on UNC Mod 0607S (the proposed increase of CO2 limit at
the NSMP NTS entry point at St Fergus from 4% to 5.5%). National Grid and NSMP
are currently considering how a higher CO2 limit might be time-limited based on a
need for use.
KT also provided an update on UNC Mod 0605S – This modification proposes to
permit National Grid NTS to utilise to a wider range of Operating Margins gas
procurement and disposal trading mechanisms in addition to tender processes. This
has now been issued for consultation and will return for self-governance approval by
the Modification Panel at Julys meeting (20th July).
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Gas Operational Forum –Thursday 22nd June 2017
-
Change Programme
-
-
Shallow Incentive
Review
-
-
-
Gas System
Pressures
-
-
GB REMIT - KT confirmed all the additional user requirements that have been
implemented since the go live date 29/10/2016. This includes Multi Editing Capability
within a company & XML Uploading of UMM as well as soon to be implemented
changes to UMM display.
On behalf of NG, KT Thanked all parties who supported testing throughout the
Project Lifecycle
MIPI Stats – Last month in May the average hits was just below 2.5m and on
average MIPI load speeds was 2.2 seconds which is well below the 5 second load
speed target. As per previous month’s Forecast Demand data remain as the most
popular downloaded report from MIPI.
EU Regulatory Changes – SC provided a general overview of the EU Gas
Regulatory Change programme, specifically in relation to EU Phase 4a project and
associated with the changes required under:
o EU CAM – Incremental Capacity Process (IP PARCA)
o EU CAM Code Amendments
o Transparency data publication
SC provided the audience with hand-outs confirming the high level timeline and the
associated changes. ACTION NG to update post implementation at Sept forum.
JB gave a comprehensive overview of the Shallow Incentives, providing a high level
overview of GHG, Demand Forecasting D-2 to D-5, Maintenance, Operating Margins
& Additional Demand Forecasting, as well as obtaining valuable feedback through a
break out session with the audience in which comments and suggestions were
collated.
Following last month’s interactive Gas System Pressures session, it was requested
that NG to come back at this forum with lower level material in relation to this
agenda item and clarification on where Gas System Pressure information can be
found on MIPI.
ST provided a recap overview of Gas System Pressures, including what effects
pressure by actions taken by all parties.
ST also recapped other factors that have changed recently such as the increased
customer needs for flexibility where direct storage connect customers require quick
turnaround to take gas off and bring gas on, more quickly at shorter notice e.g. to
respond to changes in the electricity market. .
VT explained what information is available via National Grid to help customers. Such
as NG annual maintenance plans which is available online, market information
through MIPI such as:
o Prevailing views – where a customer can monitor supply & demand
forecasts which can help indicate potential linepack changes. As well as at
the start of day a customer can see what the opening linepack is by looking
on prevailing view.
o Instantaneous flows page can provide how much gas is entering the network
at each point and can give closely located sites an indication of potential
pressure levels.
o Storage & LNG Operator Information gives more of historic view on what
Storage & LNG sites did each day this could help customers understand
why pressure changes occur in each area
VT highlighted the usefulness of the 2016 Winter Webinar, where a pre-recorded
guided tour of NG’s industry information website (MIPI & GMRS) is available.
http://www2.nationalgrid.com/UK/Industry-information/Gas-transmission-operationaldata/Webinars/
ST went onto to explain National Grid could make available national level line pack
swing information (within day) and will confirm ASAP when we expect the system
change to be in place and ready to access.
To conclude ST provided a summary of what else NG are exploring in order to assist
with pressure issues and requested ongoing engagement from customers to explore
these further such as:
o linepack swing notifications at a zonal level
o Instantaneous data
o Enhanced pressure services
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Gas Operational Forum –Thursday 22nd June 2017
-
-
Gas Quality
Information
-
-
AOB
-
-
-
Action
Ref
Discussion
Item
1
Winter
Review
2
UIG
o Reviewing maintenance information
o Longer-term framework changes
The audience agreed that any information would be useful and asked for a better
understanding of how and when this could be available
The audience emphasised a preference for a more zonal indication of pressure as
well as a historic map of zones of pressure ranges for the previous day. ACTION NG
to consider all of the above & share any other feedback received in Sept/Oct forum
5
Phil Hobbins provided a high level summary on Gas Quality Information Provision
and the request to make information more transparent. PH communicated that
National Grid recognises the concerns expressed by some market participants
associated with gas quality variation and is keen to explore potential solutions.
PH then Captured feedback from the audience to whether they’d like to receive NTS
entry gas information if so which parameters and with what frequency.
Other discussions points included what benefits the industry would receive from this
information and if National Grid were to provide gas quality information, should the
implementation costs be targeted or socialised.
VT highlighted that NG are considering what topics should be included as part of the
2017 Winter Webinars. Topics such as Gas Pressures, UIG, Emergency Exercise &
Locational Trades were suggested. It was advised to send any further suggestions
to [email protected]
This year’s Network Emergency Co-ordinator (NEC) emergency exercise, Exercise
Yield, will take place on 4th and 5th October 2017. An industry wide email was sent
out to the industry early June with further communication to follow in July/August.
Further information contact [email protected]
VT went on to explain National Grid is due to launch a re-designed website.
As part of this, a BETA version will be available to users. In response, the Project is
looking for volunteers from the industry, to test the new websites functionality, speed
and user experience. If you wish to become a volunteer, please contact the
Operational Liaison Team at [email protected]
To conclude VT provided a high summary of the great feedback received from last
year’s customer satisfaction surveys. VT reinforced the importance of the industry’s
feedback in which NG will strive to improve each survey area. ACTION NG to
summarise action plans based on last year’s customer satisfaction feedback and
share findings at September’s forum.
Action
Great value in highlighting some of the SO key
documents as part of our Winter Webinar
Programme this year.
To create a UIG webinar in September in order to
increase a better understanding in this particular
area. However from a short term perspective
NG/Xoserve are keen to help facilitate any specific
questions in relation to UIG and urge customers to
send questions to
[email protected] by Friday
7th July.
6
Who is
Responsible
Due Date
Closed/
Open
NG
Sept 2017
Open
UIG Q/A’s
by 7th July
NG
Open
Webinar –
Sept 17
3
Project
Nexus/VOC
Xoserve
Service
Desk
All find findings from the session to be articulated
into an action plans and to be shared at a
forthcoming forum.
NG
Sept/Oct 17
Open
4
EU
Regulatory
Changes
NG to update post implementation at September
forum.
NG
31st July 17
Open
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Gas Operational Forum –Thursday 22nd June 2017
5
Gas System
Pressures
6
AOB
NG to consider all of the above Gas System
Pressure suggestions & share any other feedback
received in Sept/Oct forum
NG to summarise action plans based on last year’s
customer satisfaction feedback and share at
September’s forum.
NG
Sept/Oct 17
Open
NG
Sept 17
Open
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