Review of UNC Section Q “Emergencies”

1. Review of UNC Section Q “Emergencies” Steve Pownall Transmission Workstream

2. Why is the NEC appointed ? • Gas Safety (Management )Regulations (GS(M)R) states that there will be a sole Network Emergency Co-ordinator (NEC) for the network • The NEC must prepare a Safety Case that is accepted by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE)

3. GS(M)R Duties on persons conveying gas 3.—(1)  No person shall convey gas in a network unless—  (a) he has prepared a safety case containing the particulars specified in Schedule 1 and that safety case has been accepted by the Executive; and  (b) where any other person is conveying gas in that network, there is a sole network emergency co-ordinator for the network.     (2)  For the purposes of these Regulations a network emergency co-ordinator is, subject to paragraph (3), a person who has prepared a safety case containing the particulars specified in Schedule 2 and has had that safety case accepted by the Executive.

4. When was the NEC appointed ? • The Transitional Provisions of the GS(M)R stated that the NEC must be appointed by 1st April 1996 • The NEC was appointed by Transporters using the network on 1st April 1996

5. High Level Relationships • Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 • Gas Safety (Management) Regulations 1996 • Transporters Safety Cases • E1 Emergency Procedures • Network Emergency Coordinator • NEC Safety Case • Duty Holders • Gas Act 1986 • GT Shipper & Supplier Licences • Gas Transporters • Uniform Network Code • Section Q

6. NEC Safety Case and Section Q Gas does not fail safe…… GS(M)R 1996 • Duty to Co-operate • Any request or instruction given by the Transporter to a User in a Gas Supply Emergency shall be treated as being: • a request for the purposes of Standard Licence Condition 5(2) of the Shipper's Licence • a request for cooperation pursuant to GS(M)R Regulation 6(1) Transporters’ Safety Case(s) NEC Safety Case T/PM/E/1 Emergency Procedure UNC Section Q

7. NEC Safety Case and Section Q • UNC Section Q is effectively a back-to-back commercial agreement that reflects those obligations and procedures established by the NEC Safety Case, GS(M)R and the Procedure for a Network Gas Supply Emergency (T/PM/E1) “E1” • The provisions contained within the NEC Safety Case override any provisions within the UNC • Users have a Licence duty to co-operate and therefore are required to conform to any instructions that are issued by the NEC • Any breach of those provisions of the Gas Act, GS(M)R and thus NEC Safety Case, relating to an NGSE, might be considered a criminal offence

8. Section Q – Purpose of Review The purpose of this review is to: • Ensure the UNC Definitions, requirements and obligations are clear & consistent with the NEC Safety Case, GS(M)R and E1 • Ensure the structure of UNC Section Q is logical and processes described follows the steps taken by NEC and E1 • Provide clarity as to the roles and responsibilities of all parties in the event of a Network Gas Supply Emergency

9. Recommendations • Agree the Terms of Reference • Establish review timescales • Put forward a Review Proposal • Identify and agree attendance of the Review Group • Produce summary Review Group Report