Standards Development

Scope

This document describes the specific functional requirements for the design, construction, operation, maintenance and disposal activities for safe and secure gas compressor stations. This document applies to new gas compressor stations with a Maximum Operating Pressure (MOP) over 16 bar and with a total shaft power over 1 MW. For existing compressor stations, this document applies to new compressor units. Where changes/modifications to existing installations or gas composition take place, due account can be taken of the requirements of this document.

This document does not apply to gas compressor stations or compressor units operating prior to the publication of this document. For existing sites this document can be used as guidance. The purpose of this document is to:

— ensure the health and safety of the public and all site personnel;

— cover environmental issues;

— avoid incidental damage to nearby property; and

— open the gas infrastructure to accommodate renewable gases, including a possible design for hydrogen.

This document specifies common basic principles for the gas infrastructure. Users of this document are expected to be aware that more detailed national standards and/or codes of practice can exist in the CEN member countries.

This document is intended to be applied in association with these national standards and/or codes of practice setting out the above-mentioned basic principles.

This document does not apply to:

— off-shore gas compressor stations;

— gas compressor stations for compressed gas filling-stations;

— customer installations downstream of the point of custody transfer;

— design and construction of driver packages (see Annex C);

— mobile compressor equipment.

For supplies to utility services such as small central heating boilers reference is made to EN 1775. 

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of compressor stations in a gas infrastructure. For further information refer to Annexes A, B, C, D, E and F.

Purpose

The revision of EN 12583 is required in line with the CEN life cycle approach and to ensure the standard reflects the current state of the art. New operational experience from compressor station users and operators needs to be incorporated to improve reliability, safety, and consistency across the sector.

The update is also necessary to address the integration of hydrogen and hydrogen natural gas blends into existing gas infrastructures, which is not sufficiently covered in the current edition. Ensuring H₂ readiness is essential to support the EU energy transition.

A further key driver is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane. With the new EU Methane Regulation, updated requirements for monitoring, reporting, and mitigation must be reflected in the standard.

Finally, the revision will strengthen guidance on climate change resilience, ensuring compressor station design and operation remain robust under changing environmental conditions.