The aim of the project is to increase the security and reliability of the natural gas distribution system by developing an advanced natural gas distribution system. The task for this purpose is to ensure the continuous and safe distribution of natural gas through the development of an advanced electrochemical corrosion protection system. The project’s activities include automation of the management of gas pipelines of the distribution system of Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda, Panevėžys and Šiauliai regions. The need for the project is due to the following main factors: the current cathode safety equipment does not function sufficiently reliably (the checks on the integrity of the gas shielding of the pipelines, as defined in the rules for the operation of natural gas distribution and consumer systems, record violations that should not be present in a properly functioning system), the use of remote data collection tools do not ensure the accuracy of data collection, the lack of remote harmonisation of the level of protection, high working time and fuel costs, insufficient effective protection of pipelines, and increased risk of interruption of gas supply. The equipment does not have integrated repetitive current cut-off devices required for remote measurements of the level of protection. This condition of equipment makes it difficult to ensure an adequate protection against corrosion and safe and reliable operation of gas pipelines. It is planned to replace 144 cathodic safety stations, install 436 control measurement columns in environments that are furthest from cathodic safety stations, and install special software. These technologies would effectively ensure the regulation of the level of protection on the sections of the pipeline; it will be possible to continuously track the level of protection of the pipeline in places that are hazardous to corrosion; environmental pollution will be reduced; the objectives set out in the National Energy Strategy for the gas sector — to ensure the safe, efficient and secure supply of natural gas — have been implemented.
