03 Gaseous fuels (economics, business, marketing, policy)

95103483 The Ideal gas network: A flexible approach to con- fllctlng Interests Vermeer, B. Gas (Nerfierlands), Apr. 1995, 115, (4): 24-26. (In Flemish) Optimization of operational reliability in gas distribution services demands constant balancing of costs against risks. Energiebedrijf Midden-Holland (Central Holland Power Company) teamed up with the Katholieke Univer- siteit Brabant (Brabant Catholic University) to study the manner in which the optimum gas network can be modelled. The computer program devel- oped for this purpose is based on a fixed network incorporating a system of valves placed according to a complex algorithm to decrease the risk of supply stoppages. Weighing the divergent interests of users forms an essential aspect of this process: the requirements of a hospital against those of a family, the needs of a nursery with delicate seedlings against the demands of the processing industry. In order to arrive at a genuinely effec- tive model, the reasoning behind such considerations must be made explicit.

95103490 Fragmentary academic gas research Raaijen, W. Gas (Nerherlands), May 1995, 115, (5), 16-18. (In Flemish) Academic gas research in the Netherlands does not have a clear image. It lacks its own faculty and does not even have its own chair. Academic gas research is split up between different departments of a small number of universities. For their budgets universities are depending more and more on external financial sup

e ort,

major customers are in particular of trade and industry. Among the

asunie and Gastec who have clear-cut and concrete ideas about possible applications. This way, these organisations initiate and coordinate much academic research. Research topics include: turbulent combustion: Delft and Twente Universities; laminar combustion: Eindhoven; catalytic combustion: Twente and Utrecht; behaviour and qual- ity of natural gas: Delft, Eindhoven and Utrecht; synthesis gases: Twente and Utrecht.

95103491 Gas regulation In Europe. From monopoly to

95103484 Insight into gas distribution repair techniques competltlon

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Ikink, H. Gas (Netherlands), Apr. 1995, 115, (4), 20-23. (In Flemish) According to an inventory by Gastec, the greatest number of repairs in the gas distribution network are made on cast-iron pipeline systems, followed (at some distance) by PVC, steel, PE and asbestos cement. Broken plastic pipes are usually replaced with a new length of pipe. Repair clamps are used for asbestos cement and cast-iron pipes, while steel pipes are gener- ally repaired by welding. Replacment is also the most frequently utilized technique for plastic and steel joints, while cast-iron joints are repaired either by replacement or by installation of leak clamps or sleeves with filling compound. For joints in the asbestos cement pipeline network, replacement and installation of sleeves are the most important techniques.

Cameron, P. FT Customer Services, PO Box 6, Camborne, TR14 9EQ, UK, f600.00, US5960.00 (Two volumes-not available separately), Jun. 1995. Government involvement in European gas markets is changing rapidly, mainly for fiscal reasons but also because of pressure to promote compett- tion as a long-term measure to lower prices. The result is a general trend towards liberalisation of Europe’s gas markets characterised by marked regional variations. The 2-volume report is a unique examinaton of the issues surrounding privatisation, liberalisation and regulation on a country- by-country basis. It looks at the experiences and likely future for mature, new and emerging markets. The rules applicable at each segment of the gas chain are examined, from exploration and production to storage and distri- bution. noting the kev ulavers and market structure in each case. Interna-

95103405 Making the Netherlands more attractive for oil/gas tional ‘regula%on is examined from both a European and international

extraction viewpoint.

Holwerda, B. Gas (Netherlands), Apr. 1995, 115, (4), 32-35. (In Flemish) At the present time, it is not profitable enough to put small Dutch gas fields into production. Nonetheless, these fields could make significant contribu- tions to employment in the sector and power supply in the Netherlands. With this in mind, the Ministry of Economic Affatrs is working to provide more supple conditions in the-extraction industry. Thus, smaller fields are now allowed to produce more rapidly in order to decrease capital charges. In addition, the Ministry is making financial procedures more flexible.

95103486 State-dependent maintenance of gas pressure metering and regulating stations Van Bruchem, H. er al., Gas (Netherlands), May 1995, 115, (5). 24-25. (In Flemish) The transition to state-dependent maintenance of gas pressure metering and regulating stations is not easy. The introduction of this kind of maintenance can fail for a number of reasons, including incorrect design interpretation, underestimate of the required efforts or insufficient support within the organisation itself. State-dependent maintenance (SDM) is another way of thinking. That is why an energy distribution company cannot adopt this attitude overnight. Sometimes it even requires a culture shock. If specific requirements are met, however, SDM can surely be successful. It is for instance very important that the energy distribution company specifies in advance what it expects from SDM.

Economics, Business, Marketing, Polrcy

95103492 Gasexpo: New accents in familiar formula Stam, B. Gas (Netherlands), Apr. 1995, 115, (4), 40-41. (In Flemish) The Gasexpo exposition, to be held in Amsterdam from 31 October through 2 November 1995, needs to acquire greater international allure. For this reasbns, the exposition organizers are attempting to involve numerous foreign visitors and exhibitors. Futhermore, the programme will take the changing concerns of power companies into account, focusing extensive attention on gas expansion, cogeneration and gas equipment.

95103493 Gaskeur: New quality mark for gas appliances Thorborg, L. Gas (Netherlands), May 1995, 115, (5), 30-31. (In Flemish) Next year Gastec and VFK, the Dutch Association of Boiler Manufactur- ers, will introduce a new approval mark for gas appliances. The new Gas- keur mark, howe%er, is no longer compulsory for the Dutch market, as was the Giveg mark that will be withdrawn on 1 March 1996. According to Brussels, it hindered free movement of goods within the European Union. In 1992 Brussels introduced the CE marking that will be the only compul- sory approval mark within the EU as of 1 January 1996. The Gaskeur mark is considered a marketing instrument for manufacturers since appliances bearing the Gaskeur mark are expected to achieve status among customers. An idea that is of growing interest in Germany as well,

95103494 Gasunie Research: Expending the market for gas Raaijen, W. Gas (Nefherlands), Apr. 1995, 115, (4), 12-14. (In Flemish) In the series ‘Gas Research in the Netherlands’, Gas makes a tour of the various aas research laboratories. beeinnine with Gasunie Research. lncreasini the market value of gas and oitimization of gas transport are the mainsprings behind Gasunie Research. ‘Gas only acquires value when it is used’, declares Dr Wim Wes of Gasunie. ‘If we want to increase the market value of gas, we will have to look for more and better applications. ‘For this reason, Gasunie is carrying out intensive combustion research to support the development of low-NO, burners. Significant attention is also being focused on the development of gas appliances and research into energy conservation and environmentally safe production. The question of

95103467 Bergen Conference on 011 and Economics, Bergen, Norway, 9-10 May 1994 Norwegian Petroleum Society, PO BOX i897, Vika, 0124 Oslo I, Norway, 1994. The papers discuss the following topics: world oil and gas demand to 2010, Norwegian petroleum resources, and production costs in the North SEa.

95103408 Creatln new routes to market development. Thlrd comfort will also receive increasing attention over the coming years.

Mediterranean Gas Ill arkets Conference. Istanbul. Turkev. 5-6 - May 1994 , Overview Conferences, 82 Rivington St., London ECU 3AY.

The papers discuss recents trends in the gas markets of Egypt, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Turkey.

95103409 Energy dlstrlbutlon companies opting for tallor- made courses

95103495 Growlng demand for LP gas Queensland Government Mining J. (Queensland Oil & Gas), Apr. 1995,

96, 12-13. Reports that QueenstaAd, with a widely spread regional population and a need for stand-alone power systems, is an increasing user of liquid petro- leum gas (LPG), the Minister for Minerals and Energy, Tony McGrady, told a recent conference.

Thorborg, L. Gas (Netherlands), May 1995, 115, (5), 32-38. (In Flemish) Sweeping changes in the energy industry have caused a strongly differenti- ated need for technical courses. This makes it all the more difficult to formulate fixed training modules. What requirements do new staff have to meet? An inventory carried out recently has not drawn a clear picture. And more clearness is not to be expected in the near future either. So what will for instance future training needs look like?

95103496 Increasingly competitive environment Queensland Government Min. J., May 1995, 96, 15-16.

An edited extract from Mr. Gruen’s address at the Australian Petroleum Exploration Association Conference, who spoke on the Australian gas industry and markets.

Fuel and Energy Abstracts July 1995 255