Gas Transmission Investment Programme

 Introduction

The Gas Transmission Investment Programme (GTIP) is Gas Industry Co’s response to industry concerns over the long-term outlook for gas transmission capacity availability in the Auckland region. This work has its origins in 2009, when Vector announced to the industry that it would no longer be able to sell new capacity on its North Pipeline as that pipeline has reached the limits of its capacity.

Overview

Owner: Ian Dempster
Status: In Progress

Transmission Update and Workshop on Gas Supply/Demand

Friday, 18 May, 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM at Gas Industry Co offices, 95 Customhouse Quay, Level 8 The Todd Building, Wellington

Gas Industry Co held two transmission-related sessions on Friday, 18 May for industry participants and interested stakeholders. They were held to ensure that stakeholders were up to date on the range of transmission-related workstreams that are progressing, particularly as we move towards the phase of considering options for transmission access arrangements.

Morning session: Transmission Update

The morning session provided an update on transmission capacity work, including a progress report on the Bridge Commitments, an overview of the operation of the Gas Transmission Capacity Trading bulletin board, and a summary of the work undertaken by the Panel of Expert Advisers on transmission capacity access and pricing.

Afternoon session: Gas supply/demand workshop

The afternoon session focussed on the gas supply/demand modelling that Concept Consulting is undertaking as a means of understanding future scenarios for gas demand and thus demand for transmission capacity. This session presented an overview of the modelling approach, describe modelled supply and demand scenarios, and present some preliminary results from the modelling.

The purpose of the supply/demand workshop was to present preliminary results and elicit feedback from stakeholders on the modelled assumptions and inputs. Although this is not a formal consultation, Gas Industry Co would welcome feedback from interested parties on the modelling, including the assumption and information that were used as inputs on the preliminary conclusions reached.

Please send any comments to Pamela [dot] cairdatgasindustry [dot] co [dot] nz (subject: Gas%20Supply%2FDemand%20workshop%20feedback.) by Monday, 4 June 2012. Please note that any comments received after that date may not be able to be considered.

Gas Transmission Investment Programme:

Introduction

The Gas Transmission Investment Programme (GTIP) is Gas Industry Co's response to industry concerns over the long-term outlook for gas transmission capacity availability in the Auckland region. This work has its origins in 2009, when Vector announced to the industry that it would no longer be able to sell new capacity on its North Pipeline as that pipeline has reached the limits of its capacity.

Objective

The objective of the GTIP is to:

  • ensure that existing and future gas transmission assets are used efficiently;
  • establish the need for gas transmission investment; and
  • develop an effective pathway for efficient gas transmission investment to take place.

Structure and Governance

The GTIP is structured as a package of interconnected projects:

Two working groups have been developed to provide advice to Gas Industry Co in relation to the GTIP:

The diagram below illustrates the GTIP structure and governance.

GTIP Structure and Scope paper and review

Gas Industry Co has prepared the paper: Gas Transmission Investment Programme - Structure and Scope. The aim of the paper is to provide:

  • a clear objective and scope for the Programme;
  • further detail on the GTIP governance arrangements and component projects; and
  • a detailed work plan.

Gas Transmission Investment Programme - Structure and Scope.

The scope of projects identified in the paper will be reviewed by the Panel of Expert Advisers (PEA). Any advice the panel has on revising the scope will be considered by Gas Industry Co before the scope of the GTIP is finalised.

Background to this work

Gas Industry Co has been working on transmission pipeline capacity issues for several years. Our work in this area has sought to address both short and long-term issues that have arisen from the North Pipeline constraint. In relation to the short-term, large end users on the North Pipeline have experienced a reduction in the number of credible bids they receive when seeking a new gas supplier. Gas Industry Co's investigation of this situation prompted key industry memebers to put in place a set of commitments known as the, 'Bridge Commitments'. Gas Industry Co is monitoring the market to assess the effectiveness of these commitments.

More information on this work can be found here: Short-term Capacity Workstream

In relation to the long-term, Gas Industry Co has investigated Vector's access regime and developed various options for improving the performance of the regime. Stakeholders have participated in this work through various workshops and consultation papers. At an April 2011 workshop, attendees strongly endorsed the need for a more holistic approach to finding solutions to the longer-term transmission capacity issues. It was proposed that Gas Industry Co lead a structured programme of work, and subsequent industry submissions endorsed an outline for the GTIP prepared by Gas Industry Co.

More information on this work can be found here: Long-term Capacity Workstream

Information Projects

Information Projects

Purpose of the Information Projects: to minimise information asymmetries to allow stakeholders to make informed decisions that will result in the efficent allocation of resources.

In the paper Gas Transmission Investment Programme-Structure and Scope, Gas Industry Co identified four Information Projects:

  • Vector's capacity determination;
  • Supply and demand outlook;
  • Transmission market disclosures; and
  • Backstop information gathering and analysis.

Request for Expressions of Interest: Supply/Demand Study

Request for Expressions of Interest: Gas Industry Co intends to engage consultants to assist in the development of a gas supply/demand outlook study and invites expressions of interest from suitable parties.
The deadline for expressions of interest closes at 5pm Monday 5th December

Backstop Information Gathering and Analysis Workstream

The Backstop information gathering and analysis workstream is curently underway. The work is being pursued in parallel to the GTIP and will apply to all areas of Gas Industry Co's work. With respect to the GTIP, this information gathering process (or any regulation implemented for this purpose) has the potential to assist in the development of market arrangements - that could lead to improved avaiability of information in the market.

More information on this work can be found here: Policy Development and Information Gathering

Vector Pipeline Capacity Consultation

Vector Ltd has commenced a comprehensive consultation with industry participants as part of its process to determine available pipeline capacity, particularly as it relates to the North Pipeline.

Details of this process are available on Vector's website

Market Projects

Market Projects

Purpose of the Market Projects: to provide for efficient market arrangements to allow an efficient allocation of transmission capacity and signal the need for new investment.

In the paper: Gas Transmission Investment Programme - Structure and Scope, Gas Industry Co identified one Market Project, Transmission Access and Pricing.

Depending on the outcome of the review of the GTIP project scope, to be considered by the PEA, the possibility of a further project related to Gas Trading Arrangements is also noted.

Regulatory Projects

Regulatory Projects

Purpose of the Regulatory Projects: to define appropriate regulatory arrangements that support efficient investment in transmission infrastructure.

In the paper: Gas Transmission Investment Programme-Structure and Scope, Gas Industry Co identified one Regulatory Project, Tesing Investment Options.

Advisory Panels

Advisory Panels

Two advisory panels have been created to provide advice to Gas Industry Co in relation to the Programme. The panels are two key ways the industry can be substantively involved in the GTIP, although care will be taken to keep all stakeholders informed of progress, and consulted on critical issuess.

Panel of Strategic Advisers

The Panel of Strategic Advisers (PSA) comprising senior stakeholder executives will provide programme oversignt. We have asked Gas Industry Co Independent Director, Andrew Brown, to chair the PSA.

Panel of Expert Advisers

The Panel of Expert Advisers (PEA) comprising industry experts, will provide advice on a range of market design issues. Dr. Graham Scott will Chair the PEA.

Panel of Strategic Advisers

The Panel of Strategic Advisers (PSA) comprising senior stakeholder executives will provide programme oversight. The PSA Members and Chair are as follows:

  • Andrew Brown (Chair)
  • Allan Carvell (nominated by Vector Limited)
  • Doug Watson (nominated by Major Gas Users' Group)
  • Duncan Jared (nominated by MRP)
  • Hayden Laird (nominated by Greymouth Gas)
  • Malcolm Alexander (nominated by Genesis Energy)
  • Murray Jackson (nominated by Shell)
  • Sharon Wray (nominated by Contact Energy)

The PSA Terms of Reference can be found here:

Panel of Strategic Advisers

Meetings

# Meeting Date Meeting material
1 Monday 19 December 2011

19 December Meeting Material

Minutes

Panel of Expert Advisers

The Panel of Expert Advisers (PEA) comprising industry experts, will provide advice on a range of market design issues. The PEA Members and the Chair are as follows:

  • Graham Scott (Chair)
  • Brenda Talacek (nominated by Vector Limited)
  • Bruce Girdwood (nominated by Vector Limited)
  • Charles Teichert (nominated by Todd Energy)
  • Don Gray (nominated by Maui Development Limited)
  • John Small (nominated by Major Gas Users' Group)
  • Nick McDougall (nominated by OMV)
  • Ross Parry (nominated by Genesis Energy)

The PEA terms of reference: Terms of reference: PEA

The PEA has provided advice to Gas Industry Co on the component projects of the GTIP:
Scope review, finalised by the PEA on 16 December 2011
Principles adopted by the PEA to guide their work were approved 20 February 2012
The PEA's work plan was finalised by the PEA on 8 March 2012

Meetings

#

Meeting date

Meeting material

1

Thursday 13 October 2011

13 October PEA Meeting material

Minutes

2 Monday 7 November 2011

7 November PEA Meeting Material

Minutes

3 Friday 16 December 2011

16 December PEA Meeting Material

Minutes

4 Monday 20 February 2012

20 February PEA Meeting Material

Minutes

5 Thursday 8 March 2012

8 March PEA Meeting Material

Minutes

6 Monday 2 April 2012

2 April PEA Meeting Material

Minutes

7 Monday 7 May 2012

7 May PEA Meeting Material

Minutes