President Koh Young-tae of KOGAS-Tech (second from left), inspects a gas pipeline. (Photo: KOGAS-Tech)

In January, the Korea Gas Technology Corporation (KOGAS-Tech) held a ceremony to honor the establishment of the Underground Facility Safety Management Institute.

Thirty people participated from the gas industry, including the president of the Corrosion Science Society of Korea at its headquarters in Daejeon.

The Underground Facility Safety Management Institute was set up in order to develop methods to keep safe eight main underground facilities (waterworks, sewerage, power lines, heating pipelines, gas pipelines, oil pipelines, telecommunication lines and utility tunnels) based on the rich experience of KOGAS-Tech engineers who take care of 4,900-km gas pipelines all over the nation.

Korea Gas Technology Corporation (KOGAS-Tech) was established in 1993 by Korea Gas Corporation to secure reliable and safe natural gas supply facilities for the nation. The company specializes in natural gas facility technologies.

Since its establishment, KOGAS-Tech has grown into the most reliable company in the natural gas sector, contributing to the expanded use of natural gas as a fuel for the nation. By doing so, we have realized thorough preventive inspection and maintenance process on natural gas production &supply facilities.

Moreover, KOGAS-Tech succeeded in designing LNG storage facilities through advanced technology of its own development, not to mention maintenance know-how in natural gas facilities.

Based on know-how from a number of projects, the company is now venturing into overseas markets while developing new technologies. The company is sparing no effort in growing into a leader in the energy technology sector.

KOGAS-Tech’s major business projects include gas facility maintenance/repair, remodeling construction, the safety inspection and maintenance of gas pipelines, engineering consulting service for plant projects, the maintenance and repair of plant facilities, remodeling projects and construction supervision, among others.

KOGAS-Tech signed a business agreement with Cheonan City on March 25 to go ahead with the installation of hydrogen bus stations. The business agreement enabled KOGAS-Tech to lay the foundation for win-win growth with comprehensive technical support and information exchange to expand the construction of clean transportation infrastructure with Cheonan City.

Both sides also decided to cooperate with each other to yield positive results by fostering and promoting the hydrogen industry and expanding the supply of hydrogen electric vehicles.

KOGAS-Tech is currently building a total of 16 hydrogen charging stations, including eight in South Chungcheong Province, five in Gyeonggi Province, one in South Gyeongsang Province, one in Daegu, and one in South Chungcheong Province and is making endeavors to play a leading role in promoting the hydrogen industry by continuously expanding business areas.

In addition, it is working closely with local governments to take the initiative in developing the hydrogen energy industry. At the same time, as a state-run corporation, KOGAS-Tech is sincerely doing its part in enhancing convenience and safety for the general public.

“KOGAS-Tech is building hydrogen industry infrastructure in line with government policies based on its world-class maintenance technology in the high-pressure gas facility sector through this agreement,” said President Koh Young-tae of KOGAS-Tech. “We will try to build the safest hydrogen charging stations that can be conveniently used by people.”

In the meantime, KOGAS-Tech provided emergency aid to medical staff and marginalized groups in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province designated as a disaster area on March 31.

The donated relief items were 1,500 one-kilogram retort bags of Kori Gomtang(ox tail soup). The Daegu branch of the Korea Red Cross will distribute the food to medical professionals working day and night to treat COVID-19 patients and marginalized people having trouble preparing their meals due to the closure of senior citizens’ welfare centers and schools.

“The Daegu branch of the Korea Red Cross will quickly deliver this relief food,” said a representative of the Korea Red Cross’ Daegu Branch.“The food will be a big help for tired medical staffs who are sacrificing themselves to treat those who are sick and marginalized people who are unable to prepare meals.”

In the meantime, KOGAS-Tech held a ceremony to appoint college students as members of KOGAS-Tech 2U (College Student Supporters) at the KOGAS-Tech Headquarters in Daejeon in late January.