1. Workshop on the prevention of accidents of gas transmission pipelines The Hague, 8-9 March 2006 Sergiusz Ludwiczak

2. Setting the scene A UNECE process to draw up safety guidelines/good practices for pipelines Background Framework, mandate and actors The process so far Future and final outcome

3. Background – why safety of pipelines? Pipelines are increasingly important as a means of transport of large volumes of hazardous substances over long distances in the UNECE region Crude oil, its derivatives and natural gas are dominant among the substances transported by region’s pipelines

4. The region’s newest 1,600 km oil pipeline was opened in May 2005 Construction of the 1,200 km North European gas pipeline began in December 2005

5. Background – why safety of pipelines? In view of many UNECE countries, the safety of pipeline operation needs improvement Pipelines, like fixed installations handling hazardous substances, may be a serious threat to our health and our environment

6. Background – why safety of pipelines? Pipeline accidents often cause significant effects Those involving gas often result in loss of human lives Those involving petroleum products can have a devastating effect on the environment

7. Background – why safety of pipelines? However Accidents can and should be prevented and their effects avoided

8. Background – why safety of pipelines? Pipelines, if well constructed, carefully monitored and properly attended, can be a safe, environmentally sound and economic means of transport Therefore, there is a need to raise national awareness and share experience and good practice among the authorities, operators and the public

9. Background – why in the transboundary context? Most pipelines cross at least one border and some cross several of them Regulations and requirements concerning the safety of pipeline operation differ from country to country Therefore, there is room for cooperation within the UNECE region

10. Framework, mandate and actors Against this background, UNECE countries decided to draw up safety guidelines/good practices for pipelines The UNECE provides a unique platform: Geographical scope (experience) Existing framework of MEAs, and Solid regional reputation

11. UNECE

12. Framework, mandate and actors Mandate received from: Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents Meeting of the Parties to the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes

13. Framework, mandate and actors The task to draw up the guidelines was given to the joint expert group on water and industrial accidents (JEG) A special steering group (SG) was established to help the JEG to carry out the expert work Two expert workshops were included in the process to ensure the input from all stakeholders: authorities, operators and the public

14. The process so far JEG – 4 th meeting – Kaliningrad, October 2003 (Initial discussion on Russian experience) JEG – 5 th meeting – Budapest, October 2004 (Action plan agreed and endorsed by governing bodies) SG – 1 st meeting – Berlin, March 2005 (Preparation of first “DRAFT” and the first workshop)

15. The process so far Workshop on the prevention of water pollution due to pipeline accidents – Berlin, June 2005 SG – 2 nd meeting – Berlin, June 2005 (Second “DRAFT” including workshop comments) SG – 3 rd meeting – Geneva, September 2005 (Third “DRAFT” + additional text – available to you) Workshop on the prevention of accidents of gas transmission pipelines – The Hague, March 2006

16. Future and final outcome SG – 4th meeting – The Hague, March 2006 (Final “DRAFT” including workshop comments) JEG – 7 th meeting – Geneva, April 2006 (Acceptance of the final “DRAFT”) Bureau – 9 th meeting,?, May 2006 (Endorsement of the final “DRAFT”) Adoption by the governing bodies – 2 nd half of 2006

17. Final outcome Safety guidelines/good practices for pipelines A non-legally binding document, which we hope will be widely applied by authorities, pipeline operators and the public in all UNECE member countries and which will contribute to the limitation of the number of pipeline accidents and the severity of their consequences for human health and our environment

20. Thank you