Following the return to service of the Gemini computer system after a software update, an unplanned system failure occurred.  This resulted in the removal of shippers' access to the GEMINI system during the course of the afternoon of the 22 October 2007. The  nature and extent of the problem has been identified and work is currently being undertaken to enable shipper access to GEMINI at the earliest possible time. 

Full access to the system is available to National Grid. Contingency arrangements are in place whereby shippers will be able to provide National Grid with their nomination details to load onto the GEMINI system until full shipper access to the system is resumed.  This enables the traded market to continue, albeit with some time lags due to the need to manually input data, and shippers end of day gas positions to be recorded.  

As a result of the lack of shipper access to the GEMINI system, for this period, shippers have been unable to participate in daily firm and interruptible capacity auctions and hence these have not taken place.   We will provide further detail on our proposed arrangements for capacity trades and auctions via the ANS system shortly. 

All operational questions in relation to this event are being managed by the National Grid Incident team within Gas Operations. We would be grateful if any shipper enquiries could be redirected back to their normal 24/7 operational contacts who will have received information directly from the National Grid Incident team.

Footnote:
GEMINI is an information exchange computer system allowing the electronic transfer of information including energy and capacity transactions between Network Code parties (shippers and transporters).