Operating Cycle

The transport of the gas to end users is done through gas pipelines and, for longer distances, using gas sea tankers.

Gas pipelines, underground or on the seabed, are part of a complex network of pipes and pumping, control and security stations.

To be transported gas by sea gas must undergo a low temperature process (-160° liquefaction) to maintain the liquid form at a level of pressure slightly higher than that of the atmosphere. In this form, the volume of the gas is reduced by up to 600 times and is transportable in huge quantities. At destination terminals the liquid gas is re-gassified before being fed into the distribution network.

Natural gas is distributed across an huge network that reaches, across thousands of kilometres, the areas of consumption, specifically big industrial consumers and local distribution networks.

The demand for gas is subject to seasonal, weekly and daily variations during the year. This is mainly the result of industrial activities and climate.

These changing needs are managed by the Dispatch Centre, at San Donato Milanese, where total availability - from national production, imports and stocks - and network movements are monitored in order to meet the demands of customers.

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Gas & Power - Operating Cycle

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