Series AC/111 - Ad Hoc Working Group on Pipelines

The AC/111 chronological series contains the records of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Pipelines.At its meeting on 18 July 1956 (C-R(56)40), the Council examined a note submitted by the French delegation (C-M(56)95). It subsequently decided to set up an ad hoc working group responsible for submitting recommendations to it on the French proposals seeking a revision of documents C-M(55)74 and C-M(56)83 in connection with the Central Europe area.France felt that it was necessary to decentralize the NATO POL pipeline system as much as possible in order to ensure that it operated smoothly. With this in mind, it suggested that a national pipeline operating agency be set up in each country of Central Europe, and that the role of the NATO Central Europe Operating Agency be modified.The Working Group made up of representatives of the user nations of the Central Europe Pipeline System met for the first time on 27 July 1956 under the chairmanship of Mr A. F. Moreau, Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Production and Logistics, assisted by representatives from the user nations, members of the International Staff and representatives from the Permanent Group and SHAPE.The Working Group examined the French proposals and produced a report which contained a specific project for the organization of the NATO Pipeline System in the central European region, which provided for the creation of a national agency in one or more countries, and which took account of the pressing need to put in place functional units known as "Divisions". This document, which is dated 11 December 1956, was submitted to the Council under reference C-M(56)129.The Council approved the text at its meeting on 19 December 1956 (C-R(56)77), and decided to recommend that interested countries immediately establish the proposed Organization, to wit the Central Europe Operating Agency and the Central Europe Pipeline Office.On 26 November 1956, after completing its work, the Working Group decided to disband.