38th International Scientific & Expert meeting of gas professionals ceremonially opened

38th International Scientific & Expert meeting of gas professionals was ceremonially opened on 10 May 2023, in Opatija. This three-day international gas conference and exhibition organised by Croatian Gas Association (HSUP), member of the International Gas Union (IGU), and Croatian gas Centre Ltd. is one of the largest in the southeast Europe.

This traditional event gathers a few hundreds of participants from more than 20 countries and hosts more than 80 respectful lecturers and exhibitors. The conference programme covers ten topics, several interactive panel discussions and a poster session on currently most important topics in the field of gas economy and energy industry.  

 

Opening ceremony was led by the president of the Croatian Gas Association, Mr Dalibor Pudić, and was followed by the welcoming speeches with reference to the current situation. The speeches were given by Mr Ivan Fugaš, Technical Director of LNG Croatia; Mr Vlado Vlašić, Director of Podzemno skladište plina; Ms Daria Krstičević, Member of Plinacro Board; Mr Miroslav Skalicki, Member of INA Board; Mr Frano Barbarić, President of HEP Board and Mr Davor Filipović, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development.  
 

In her welcoming speech, Ms Krstičević addressed challenges that gas economy stakeholders faced last year, and she pointed out that thanks to many years of dedicated work and strategic consideration the Croatian gas transmission system, including both LNG terminal and underground gas storage, was a part of the solution to the problem and a factor of stability for Croatia and the countries in the region. In this context, she pointed out that for the Zlobin - Bosiljevo gas pipeline contracts for pipes and equipment have already been signed and that preliminary consultations for the execution of the works are in progress.

In the continuation of her speech, she presented the projects that Plinacro has been developing in order to ensure the energy stability of the countries in the region. “Ahead of us are the projects for increasing transmission capacities in the direction of the countries in the region, primarily Slovenia and Hungary. The focus is on the Lučko-Zabok-Jezerišće-Sotla and Bosiljevo-Sisak-Kozarac-Slobodnica gas pipelines. We have also been working on connecting the Croatian gas transmission system to the South Gas Corridor via Ionian-Adriatic Pipeline and simultaneously on a project of connecting with BiH via South interconnection. In addition, we have been developing many other projects enhancing energy independence“, Ms Krstičević concluded.
  

 

In the continuation of the conference, the vice-president of the International Gas Union, Mr Andrea Stegher, held an invited lecture on the topic Natural gas: an energy pillar for solving the energy trilemma, then followed a panel discussion attended by the Technical director of LNG Croatia, Mr Ivan Fugaš, a Member of the INA Board, Mr Marin Zovko and a Member of Plinacro Board, Ms Daria Krstičević participated. 

 

This year again, Plinacro employees are actively participating in this central meeting of experts in the gas industry as panellists, authors and co-authors of the professional papers listed below:

• Application of information technologies in the maintenance and development of the gas transmission system - Vanja Skopljak Štulić, Iva Juretić, Božena Pavlek

• Determination and repair of damage to the Ludbreg - Koprivnica gas pipeline – Aleksandar Karre, Dario Noha, Goran Rončević