Infrastructure reliability

The infrastructure reliability is central to the design and management of the gas network. During the design phase, the routing of the gas pipelines is chosen from various alternatives based on considerations involving the reliability of transportation, technical and economic feasibility and the environmental impact: specifically, it is necessary to ascertain that the routing shall not interfere with the existing ecosystems’ balance, avoiding passing through areas of significant natural, cultural, or archaeological interest or at least keeping it to a minimum and through geologically unstable or man-made areas.

During the construction phase, in accordance with the technical feasibility, advanced excavation and installation procedures and technologies which interfere as little as possible with the surrounding environment are used: reduction of the width of the work zone, minimisation of the infrastructures and construction site vehicles, trenchless techniques (tunnels and micro tunnels) as an alternative to traditional excavation methods.

When the installation is complete a thorough environmental restoration is carried out to return the area to its original morphological and vegetation conditions keeping the pre-existing natural balances. During the operations, the network infrastructures are monitored by the dispatching centre, using simulation and optimisation programmes that guarantee the optimum arrangement for an efficient and secure transport service, with the goal of reducing fuel consumption for the gas thrust and therefore containing emission levels.

The reliability of the natural gas pipelines is guaranteed in various ways, through their regular inspection carried out on foot, with vehicles and helicopters to detect potentially dangerous situations caused, for example, by the work of third parties near the pipelines or by potential instability that has occurred along the track. Geological inspections are also conducted and any landslide in specific areas of the pipeline layout is kept under control with the help of the most suitable and sophisticated equipment. Periodically, a smart device equipped with sensors runs inside the network; this so-called “pig” makes it possible to detect the presence of any faults or irregularities with the material and even the slightest movement of the pipeline.

In addition to the drills required by the Seveso Directive, in 2018, at the Panigaglia regasification terminals, Snam conducted monthly safety drills simulating accidental leaks of LNG. A joint Security and Safety exercise was also carried out with the Port Authority, the local fire department, the national police, and the emergency medical services.