TERRAIN & TERRITORY

The Renforcement Gascogne Midi (RGM) project involves RGM: TOWARDS the construction of a pipeline 61.8 km in length A MORE connecting Lussagnet in the Landes to Barran in the , with the installation FLUID AND of a new compressor station in Barbaira (Aude). HOMOGENEOUS A strategic project, RGM will serve to increase distribution capacity as NETWORK part of the merger of the North-South markets through INTERVIEW WITH MATHIEU RUSSAC the creation of the Trading RGM Project Manager Region . Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) standards at the site have been exemplary. Project leader Mathieu RUSSAC provides a greater insight into the RGM project.

Cladding operation WORK ON THE ROUTE at the RGM site. D’ARTAGNAN

As the first European horse-riding trail, the Route d’Artagnan connects in the Gers, the home village of the famous musketeer, to Maastricht in the Netherlands. According to Alain LIBÉROS, president of the Association Européenne de la Route d’Artagnan (European Association for the Route d’Artagnan, or AERA), “[the trail] symbolises the revival of the spirit of the musketeers at the service of the promotion of European citizenship, solidarity, diversity and friendship among the peoples of Europe”. Having been asked to do so by the commune during the meetings held with elected representatives to prepare for the Renforcement Gascogne Midi, it has been an honour for Teréga to be involved in such a convivial and dynamic project, highlighting both deep local integration and a resolutely European commitment – two shared ambitions.

16 WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE extensive consultation with all the relevant RENFORCEMENT GASCOGNE actors in the areas affected by the project, MIDI PROJECT? including elected representatives, local res- 61.8KM The aim of this major national gas transpor- idents, farmers and industrialists. Our ap- OF UNDERGROUND tation network is to ensure the nationwide proach has paid dividends since we have GAS PIPELINES distribution of gas. The infrastructures link- signed reciprocal easement agreements ing northern and southern France have suf- with all of the owners of the various plots fered from congestion. One consequence of land through which the pipeline passes. of this has been a difference in distribution We have also developed sustainable re- 900MM IN PIPE DIAMETER prices between the two regions. In short, lationships with the 20 affected communes through the Renforcement Gascogne Midi and their mayors. With their ears always representing, in terms of raw materials, project, Teréga is providing a solution to re- close to the ground, the Teréga teams have 20,000 tonnes of steel, 20% of which is recycled lieve congestion in the network and iron out been reaching out throughout the project regional price differentials. RGM will also to local residents through public meetings lead to increased transit capacity, improve and regular newsletters updating residents 1.20M exchange flows and contribute to greater on the progress of the work. Close engage- MINIMUM BURIAL DEPTH security of supply. ment with local residents enables us to be responsive and to provide quick answers 85 BARS WHAT IS THE MAIN STRENGTH tailored to their questions and grievances. MAXIMUM PRESSURE OF THE PROJECT? Its main strength is its territorial integration, WHAT IS THE ECONOMIC IMPACT which is both respectful of local populations OF THE PROJECT AT A LOCAL LEVEL? 1 ADDITIONAL and environmentally friendly. The RGM pro- The companies in charge of this construc- COMPRESSOR ject draws on our expertise in biodiversity tion site have recruited over 10% of the compressor at the Barbaira compressor station, with a power of 7 MW preservation, water management and the workforce from the surrounding areas. Their reduction of the environmental footprint. employees live close to the route of the 1 INTERCONNECTION GRID Our approach is based on three core prin- pipeline, generating additional income for at Lussagnet local restaurants, hotels, garages 4 NEW OR MODIFIED and shops. The economic impact BLOCK-VALVE STATIONS “WE HAVE DEVELOPED arising from the construction of in the communes of Sion, Castillon- Debats, Barran and (North) the infrastructure in the regions SUSTAINABLE of Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occit- RELATIONSHIPS WITH anie is currently estimated at 10% of the total cost of the project. JULY 2017: ALL THE ACTORS IN start of construction work WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OCTOBER 2018: facility put into service THE AREAS AFFECTED OF? What makes me most proud is BY THE PROJECT. ” seeing a close-knit team succeed in delivering an infrastructure of ciples: avoiding difficult or challenging ar- this scale within such a short time frame, all eas by opting for the routes with the least thanks to our skill and experience in man- impact, reducing environmental impacts aging complex, multidisciplinary projects, through specific technical solutions such whether in relation to administrative engi- as the dry crossing of waterways (conser- neering or the construction of engineering vation fishing, substrate restoration and works. The key ingredient of our expertise construction of bypasses) and, as a last re- is the sheer human energy we’re able to sort, off-setting. As part of these off-setting harness. Every person involved in the pro- measures, Teréga has acquired 8 hectares ject is proud to be involved in this collective of mature woodland and 3 hectares of wet- endeavour – you can see that, and it’s very lands of major ecological significance in an exciting. effort to promote biodiversity.

IS CONSULTATION KEY? Human, economic and agricultural activ- ities have been a major focus. True to our culture of dialogue, we have engaged in

2017 ACTIVITY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT REPORT 17