Georgia has launched a large-scale project of gasification.
Does Georgia control gas supply safety? The Report.ge new agency asked this question to SOCAR Georgia Gas.
Following the Georgian legislation requirements, the company connects new customers to the gas distribution network in the company's licensed area. Currently, the company provides about 715,000 subscribers with its service.
The SOCAR Georgia Gas company says that due to the increased fire and explosion hazard of the product (natural gas), the compliance with safety standards is critical for every gas distribution company.
It reports that SOCAR Georgia Gas operates under the requirements of the regulations in Georgia. Safety standards are mainly governed by the "Technical Regulations on General Safety Requirements for Gas Systems" approved by the Government of Georgia by Resolution No. 101 dated January 22, 2014, and "General Requirements for Gas Safety" approved by the Minister of Economic Development by Resolution No. 1-1 / 525 dated April 14, 2010.
Following the "Rules for the supply and consumption of natural gas" approved by the Georgian National Energy and Water Supply Regulatory Commission (GNERC) by Resolution No. 12 dated July 9, 2009, natural gas distribution licensees must periodically check the internal network and gas installations.
"Every year our company carries out scheduled work, during which we disconnect improperly installed gas appliances from the network. We also publish information on social networks or television about the rules for the safe use of gas," SOCAR Georgia Gas stated.
If the company detects any improperly installed gas devices, the company's employees immediately remove them, but, unfortunately, subscribers still often connect to the distribution network, which is hazardous and illegal.
In response to the question, if Georgia's regulations are correct, the company says that the legislation periodically changes the received experience.
In turn, SOCAR Georgia Gas intensely participates in this legislative activity and shares its knowledge and experience.
Georgia's Energy Ombudsman often criticizes the gas sector and highlights the lack of proper control and regulations.
Moreover, the Energy Ombudsman assessed 2019 as a 'catastrophic year' for the natural gas sector.
In 2019, six explosions occurred nationwide due to natural gas leak and claimed lives.
There were also 358 cases of gas leakage and intoxication, with severe consequences in some cases.
Energy Ombudsman Salome Vardiashvili says that to protect the population, the government should create efficient controller bodies and stiffen rules.
Bela Gelashvili
News Author