Intergas Central Asia (ICA), joint-stock company (a subsidiary of KazTransGas group of companies) conducted on 31 July this year, on the site of its linear operating unit in Uralsk, i.e. the Uralsk LPU, the command and staff exercises (“the CSE”) entitled as the ‘Organization and Implementation of Actions Aimed to Enhance the Stable Functioning of Management Bodies of the Civil Defence System at the Threat of Occurrence of Natural and Man-Caused Disasters (in Case of Industrial Accidents Caused by Human Activities); the Supervision over the Performance of Rescue and Emergency Response and Recovery Operations after an Accident that Caused Fire on the Main Gas Pipeline’, and this event, for the purpose of practical training of collaboration of various emergency services was attended by representatives of the Department for Emergency Situations of the West-Kazakhstan Region. 
Further, the training exercises which employed over 65 people and 13 units of special machinery were monitored by the representatives of intergroup companies KazTransGas, KazTransGas Aimak, KazTransGas Almaty, AmangeldyGas, Asian Gas Pipeline and Beineu-Shymkent Gas Pipeline. 
The main objectives of the CSE training are set to achieve coherence and smooth execution of the work among the various groups of management, personnel on duty, heads of emergency response groups, rehabilitation and repair teams, and determination of most efficient ways and methods for urgent recovery after the accidents.
Thus, following the scenario of the command and staff exercises, the accident was caused by human industrial activities resulting in depressurization of the process pipeline with subsequent ignition.
So, in the conditions, most close to real life, the staff worked out on such tasks as immediate assessment of the current situation; elaboration of type of response to the emergency situation and organization of comprehensive support for its implementation; implementation of practical actions on alert warning and conduct rescue operations; training of practical skills in managing the consequences of an accident, etc..
Gas transmission pipeline systems are classified as potentially hazardous industrial facilities that require special treatment to ensure their uninterruptable and safe operation under any conditions.
The gas transmission system operated by JSC Intergas Central Asia, is a complex, highly technological network associated with high pressure maintained in the pipelines, the significant length of the main gas pipelines, a large number of equipment units installed at compressor stations, high level of automation of the gas transportation system and similar industrial features.
In this regard, one of the focal points of these exercises was set on the work of all services relying on the use of latest automated control systems and communications, because the automation of the gas networks being one of the most important factors in the progressive development of the gas transmission system, is affecting such characteristics as manageability, reliability, integrity, safety, environmental impact, economic and social importance. 
According to the company’s management and observers of the exercises, the CSE training has shown that level of readiness of the managerial staff of the subdivisions and specialized public services, aimed to respond to an emergency, is adequate and fully complies with the requirements. All the tasks that were set ahead of the training participants were fulfilled promptly and in a high professional manner.
The completed exercises form part of consistent work carried out by Intergas Central Asia conducted on an ongoing basis. Thus, according to the approved Emergency Plan specifying accidents response on industrial facilities of Intergas Central Asia during the period from 2011 to the 1st quarter of 2014 the company executed 2,197 accident response trainings, 149 emergency drills and 126 combined drills and exercises.
The company holds large scale command and staff exercises every three years. 
In parallel, all divisions of the company conduct, on a scheduled basis, the training to facilitate organization and the safe performance of the hot tapping and gas hazardous works using the relevant technical training facilities, and further, emergency response drills with the use of specific manpower and means.
In addition, in accordance with the plan of the command and staff exercises, Intergas Central Asia takes part in regional special tactics exercises STE "Winter-Spring" entitled "Preparation and conduct of rescue and other emergency operations in response to emergency situations in low temperatures and snow drifts", and "Preparation and conduct of rescue and other emergency operations after emergencies in case of unfavorable development of flooding situation".
One of the most important stages of the activities of the company in this area could be regarded the establishment in 2012 of the new production unit, namely, its branch, Management Division for Emergency and Recovery Operations and Special Machinery (UAVR and ST).
The main objective of UAVR and ST Branch is the recovery and rehabilitation with respect to potential accidents, and execution of repair works on the serviced sections of the main gas pipelines and compressor stations, along with provision of trucking and special machinery to satisfy the needs of business units.
In particular, for the purpose to manage the trucks and special machinery fleet the Branch was further structured in a set of production divisions to manage rehabilitation and remediation activities and operate special equipment, PUAVR and ST in the cities of Aktau, Atyrau, Uralsk, Aktobe and Almaty that work under shift duty scheme.
The establishment of such specialized unit has ensured the centralized servicing of the gas transportation system, increased the level of efficiency and mobility while performing repair works at the main gas pipelines, provided the operating control over the trucks and special machinery use, and allowed to exploit the emergency repair teams on the facilities located in western and southern branches of the gas transmission networks. 

Intergas Central Asia was established in July 1997 to directly manage under the terms of concession the main gas transmission infrastructure in Kazakhstan. Intergas Central Asia is a member of KazTransGas, JSC group of companies (a subsidiary of the NС KazMunayGas, JSC). Intergas Central Asia manages the major gas transportation network with the total length in excess of 14,000 km and annual throughput capacity up to 190 bcm.