ABB technology enables safe and smart operations at the Polish section of the Yamal – Europe gas pipeline

In 2019, ABB has signed a service contract with EuRoPol GAZ S.A., the owner of the Polish part of the Yamal-Europe gas pipeline, a critical infrastructure that transports gas from Russia. Thanks to ABB technologies and competencies, EuRoPol GAZ S.A. will increase the reliability and improve security levels at all five gas compressor stations located in the Polish section of the gas pipeline.

The project, which is expected to be completed at the end of 2022, includes the modernization of the automation systems and the implementation of new digital solutions. ABB service team will also support the maintenance of hardware auxiliary systems, such as filters, valves, electrical systems, propulsion systems, and pressure and flow measurement systems. In addition, digital systems installed at the gas compressor stations will receive additional functionalities, new security features and software updates.

Originally designed to meet the requirements of the gas compressor stations, the distributed control system (DCS) is at the heart of the process. Each station carries out individual, complex processes, acting similarly to an advanced plant of its own. Leveraging this project, the DCS ABB Ability^TM System 800xA is being updated to the newest version to improve scalability and increase safety. The modernization also enables possible changes to the gas pumping system and easier and quicker transmission processes. Finally, digital technology makes remote diagnostics and monitoring of the compressor stations now possible, allowing more precise and faster analysis of processes, while increasing cyber security.

“ABB automation and control technologies have been installed at the first gas compressor station of the Polish section for the first time in the 90s. With ABB as the original manufacturer of the gas compression stations, we are glad to continue this collaboration, offering to EuRoPol GAZ S.A. our experience combined with latest status-of-the-art technologies to support the development of this critical infrastructure”, said Marcin Góralski, Service Manager at ABB Energy Industries in Poland.

Despite the increasing diversification of gas supplies, the Yamal-Europe gas pipeline remains one of the most important transmission lines within the European energy system. The 684 km long Polish section of the pipeline carries natural gas for the needs of both domestic and international customers. The 5 gas compressor stations located in the Polish section of the pipeline play an important role to increase the gas pressure and allow an efficient transmission. All these stations have been built by ABB during the years.