Gas Operating Margins

National Grid Gas purchases Operating Margins (OM) on an annual basis in line with both the requirements of section K of the UNC and obligations described in the National Grid Gas Safety Case (the Safety Case).  The Safety Case places an obligation on National Grid Gas to maintain OM at levels and locations determined throughout the year.

For information on becoming an OM provider please contact Sam Wither on +44 (0)1926 656492 or via e-mail Sam.Wither@uk.ngrid.com.  

Pursuant to Section K of the Uniform Network Code (UNC), National Grid Gas procures capacity on an annual basis for Operating Margins Gas requirements.  Once capacity is booked there is a subsequent tender for Disposal or Procurement of Operating Margins Gas dependent upon whether there is a surplus or shortfall in gas in storage.

This year there is an aggregate surplus of gas in storage.  Therefore National Grid Gas has published ITT invitations for Bids and Offers for this gas in storage.  These documents can be found below.  These documents are available from the 14 April 2008.  The tender bid and offer window commences at 09:00 on the 25 April 2008 and closes at 11:00 on the 25 April 2008.  All valid bids and offers will be evaluated on the 25 April 2008.  Acceptances of such bids and or offers will be notified by 17:00 on the 25 April 2008.

Future Operating Margins Procurement

National Grid Gas is consulting on future competitive Operating Margins (OM) procurement. The consultation document can be found below. The consultation will be open for eight weeks; responses to the consultation are requested by 2 May 2008. Responses should be emailed to ian.pashley@uk.ngrid.com.

To support the consultation process, National Grid Gas held a workshop on 17 April 2008 at the Ardencote Manor Hotel in Claverdon, near Warwick.  The presentations from the workshop can be found below.  A summary of the workshop Questions and Answers will be published on this page shortly.