GDF national distribution center

The role of Gaz de France (GDF) National Distribution Center (CRN: Centre de Repartition national) is to manage permanently the equilibrium between natural gas resources and consumption. The CRN is in connection with other countries distribution centers to ensure the operational management of french supplies from Netherlands, Algeria, Russia and Norway and the gas transit from Norway to Spain. GDF transportation network comprises 26000 km of pipelines, 2 reception stations, 2 methane terminals, 50 compression stations and 15 underground reservoirs of 21 Gm3 total storage capacity. Discussions are in progress between GDF and Norway authorities to increase the norwegian supplies by the construction of a pipeline between Norway and Dunkerque. GDF is becoming the biggest purchaser of norwegian gas with an estimated supplying of 15 Gm3 per year in 2005. (J.S.). 1 fig