Technical Restrictions in the Vicinity of Incukalns UGS

The aim of this material is to inform the owners of immovable property about the restrictions of economic activity and the safety requirements in the protection zones of Inčukalns underground gas storage objects (natural gas storage bores, gas lines with pressure exceeding 1.6 megapascals, natural gas compression stations, natural gas collection points, etc.) (hereinafter – UGS objects).

The operation of Inčukalns underground gas storage is ensured by “Inčukalns underground gas storage” - structural unit of the joint-stock company “Conexus Baltic Grid” (hereinafter – IUGS), the processes of the principal activity whereof is pumping of natural gas (during summer), storage of natural gas and removal of natural gas (in winter). Natural gas with very high pressure above 1.6 megapascals is transmitted along the gas lines so in accordance with the Protection Zone Law exploitation and safety protection zones are established for the gas lines where pressure exceeds 1.6 megapascals and for UGS objects.

1.Exploitation protection zones

In accordance with Protection Zone Law section 22, exploitation protection zones around gas lines, gas supply equipment and structures, gas warehouses and storage sites are specified in order to ensure the exploitation of gas lines, gas supply equipment and structures, gas warehouses and storage sites. The following exploitation protection zones are specified for UGS objects:

1.1. around natural gas storage bores - 50 metres from the bore;

1.2. around natural gas compressor stations - 10 metres from the fencing;

1.3. around natural gas collection points - 10 metres from the fencing;

1.4. around gas lines with pressure above 1.6 megapascals - 15 m on both sides from the axis of the gas line.

2. Safety protection zones

In accordance with Protection Zone Law section 32.2, safety protection zones around gas lines with pressure above 1.6 megapascals, around gas regulation stations, gas regulation points, gas measuring stations, natural gas compressor stations, natural gas collection points, gas storage bores, liquefied hydrocarbon gas cylinders warehouses and trade places, motor vehicle gas filling stations are specified to reduce the possible negative impact on humans in case of accidents of these equipment and structures. UGS objects have the following safety protective zones:

2.1. around natural gas storage bores outside the natural gas storage area and bores that are not connected with natural gas storage collector layer – 100 metres from the bore;

2.2. around natural gas storage bores that are located in the natural gas storage area and bores and connected with natural gas storage collector layer – 300 metres from the bore;

2.3. around natural gas compressor stations - 450 metres from external walls of a structure or from compressor station equipment;

2.4. around natural gas collection points - 300 metres;

2.5. around gas lines with pressure above 1.6 megapascals and diameter to 300 mm - 75 metres;

2.6. around gas lines with pressure above 1.6 megapascals and diameter from 300 mm to 600 mm - 125 metres;

2.7. around gas lines with pressure above 1.6 megapascals and diameter from 600 mm to 800 mm - 150 metres.

3.Geeral restrictions and safety requirements for the owners of immovable property in protection zones

General restrictions in the protection zones are defined in the Protection Zones Law section 35. There are the following general restrictions and safety requirements in the vicinity of UGS objects and in the protection zones:

3.1. IUGS workers must be allowed to access the UGS objects located in the immovable property and their protection zones to provide the maintenance of UGS objects and perform the works required for exploitation, repair, restoration and reconstruction of the relevant object (Protection Zones Law section 61 part eleven);

3.2. be careful during the period with high fire-risk (spring-summer). Maintain the borders around UGS objects located in the immovable property in fire-safe condition by cleaning them from dry grass, bushes and trees, observing the Cabinet Regulations No. 982 “Methods for determining energy infrastructure objects protective zone” as of 5 December 2006 issued by the Cabinet of the Republic of Latvia (section 40). Not to permit breaking out of fire or activities that can lead to a fire;

3.3. if not necessary, not to approach UGS objects, not to be in the fenced off UGS object zones and in no case touch the underground parts of UGS object equipment;

3.4. pay special attention to the information signs in the gas lines and bore protection zones, observe the include requirements;

3.5. inform promptly on any safety violation incidents in UGS objects or in their direct vicinity and on signs that could testify of any potential threat (e.g., subjects left without attendance – cars, bags, parcels, containers etc. that for a long time are left unattended and other suspicious activities);

3.6. inform promptly IUGS if natural gas leakage is detected (e.g. hissing, gurgling in the ground) and in case of explosions or fire.

4. Restrictions in the exploitation protection zones

In accordance with Protection Zone Law section 56, the following restrictions are specified in the exploitation protection zones around the gas lines, gas supply equipment and structures, gas warehouses and storage sites in addition to ones mentioned in sections 35 and 58.2 of this law:

4.1. it’s prohibited to establish landfill sites;

4.2. it’s prohibited to drop heavy objects, to throw out and pour out acid substances and corrosion causing substances, fuel and lubrication materials;

4.3. it’s prohibited to carry out works related with detonation and acquisition of mineral resources;

4.4. it is prohibited to block up and delimit service roads and accesses to gas lines, gas supply equipment and structures, gas warehouses and storage sites with fences;

4.5. it is prohibited to perform works connected with flooding of the land;

4.6. it is prohibited to block up and delimit service roads and accesses to gas lines, gas supply equipment and structures, and storage sites with fences;

4.7. it’s prohibited to grow trees and bushes in the areas that are stated in the protection zones determination methods;

4.8. it’s prohibited to build any kinds of buildings;

4.9. it’s prohibited to place storage facilities of feed-stuff, mineral fertilisers, dangerous chemical substances and products, timber, flammable, highly and extremely flammable substances, products and materials;

4.10. it’s prohibited to locate petrol stations;

4.11. it is prohibited to arrange quaysides for ships, barges and floating cranes, as well as to perform dredging work and drawing of soil;

4.12. It is prohibited to disturb, by any activity, the employees of the gas supply undertaking (IUGS workers) who perform maintenance, repair, reconstruction, accident prevention works or elimination of the consequences thereof in the protection zone;

4.13. it’s prohibited to do the following if no written agreement is concluded with the joint-stock company “Conexus Baltic Grid” (IUGS):

4.13.1. perform works with fire and flame, hammer piles, use impact devices with power exceeding 100 kilowatts,

4.13.2. to carry out earthworks deeper than 0.3 metres, but in cultivated soils – deeper than 0.45 metres, as well as to perform amelioration and ground grading works,

4.13.3. to perform geological, geodesic and other research works connected with making of drillings and ground sampling (except soil samples),

4.13.4. to construct, restore or rebuild engineering structures,

4.13.5. to arrange carriageways and carriageway crossings,

4.13.6. to perform other works that disturb the servicing of gas lines, gas supply equipment and structures, gas warehouses and storage sites or that may damage these objects.

5. Restrictions in safety protection zones

In accordance with Protection Zone Law section 58.2, the following restrictions are specified in the safety protection zones around gas lines with pressure above 1.6 megapascals, around gas regulation stations, gas regulation points, gas measuring stations, natural gas compressor stations, natural gas collection points, gas storage bores, liquefied hydrocarbon gas cylinders warehouses and trade places, motor vehicle gas filling stations:

5.1. it is prohibited to construct new buildings or rebuild non-residential building into residential ones, and rebuild the existing building if no written agreement is concluded with the owner (joint-stock company “Conexus Baltic Grid” (IUGS)) of gas lines, gas supply equipment and structures, gas warehouses and storage sites;

5.2. it is prohibited to open new sports, education and recreation buildings or institutions or rebuild the existing buildings into sports, education and recreation buildings or institutions;

5.3. it is prohibited to arrange sports grounds and recreation areas;

5.4. it is prohibited to organize public events;

5.5. it is prohibited to carry out other works (or activities) that disturb to ensure the safety of environment and persons during exploitation of gas lines, gas regulation stations, gas regulation points, natural gas compressor stations, gas storage sites, liquefied hydrocarbon gas warehouses, storages and filling station, liquefied hydrocarbon gas cylinders warehouses and trade places or motor vehicle gas filling stations and in case of the potential accidents;

5.6. owner of the gas line (joint-stock company “Conexus Baltic Grid”) together with the motorway manager ensures the stop prohibition for vehicles in the safety protection zones along a gas line with pressure above 1.6 megapascals.

6. In respect of the provisions of Protection Zone Law section 35 part six, all natural and legal persons, when performing the works in a protection zone due to which it is necessary to protect the objects from damage, rebuild or relocate them, have the following obligations:

  1. 1. to submit the plan (project) of works to be performed in the and reconcile it with IUGS and call a representative from IUGS (tel. 67819033, mob. 29440627, e-mail nikolajs.gutarovics@conexus.lv) 5 days before the commencement of works and familiarize with the specifics of the works;
  2. 2. perform the works only after the agreement about the provision for performance of earth works in the protection zones is signed with the joint-stock company “Conexus Baltic Grid” (IUGS).

7. Non-compliance with the Protection Zones Law or Fire Safety Provisions in the protections zones of UGS objects may cause emergency conditions in its objects the consequences whereof may be the destruction of material values and persons, and extended interruption of gas supply to the consumers thus the natural and legal persons violating the aforementioned requirements can be held liable as prescribed in the normative acts.

8. Issues related with the performance of works in UGS protection zones shall be settled in the Inčukalns underground gas storage of the joint-stock company „Conexus Baltic Grid”, “Inčukalna gāzes krātuve”, Ragana, Krimulda Parish, Krimulda Municipality, LV-2144.

Means of communication:

tel. 67048000, kratuve@conexus.lv - records-keeping secretary;

In case of gas leakage, fire and other emergency situations call by phones:

112 – unified emergency calls number,

67048017, 67048019, mob. 29440121 - IUGS 24-hours operators.