Mod for Discussion on 7 th January 2011 Draft Outline of Potential Refinements to the User Pays Modification Process Action RG Based on discussions at 334 work stream on 15 th December 2010

2 Key Points Raised at 334 on 15 th Dec 2010  Proposer engages with xoserve ahead of any Mod being raised to share proposal and discuss options – establish what problem we are trying to resolve  Early view on scale of costs and potential delivery timescale  Aim is to give an early high level assessment to customers so they can assess whether to carry on with the proposal or not  Standard set of questions to be addressed early on  Give an early indication of what, if any, the potential constraints on the proposal may be  Consider alternative and make all customers aware  xoserve to flag up if alternative approaches exist  Discussions between proposer and/or any customers outside of meetings regarding alternatives to be shared with all customers  Customers to have a view of overall industry change programme for centralised systems so Mods can be prioritised  At the ROM stage an overview of the system/process impacts of the proposed change would be useful – schematic view preferred

3 Potential Improvements to the User Pays Modification Process 1.Proposer to talk to xoserve ahead of the Mod being raised. Standard set of questions worked through with proposer 2.Mod raised with consideration of centralised systems 3.Mod review by Panel and assigned 4.xoserve provides High Level Cost and Timescale Assessment Matrix*. Matrix reviewed at appropriate forum. Forum (work stream or UNCC) considers Mod’s priority against all Mod activity on central systems 5.Customers (Shippers and GTs) work up proposal and business rules with xoserve. Understanding of customer demand for service established *Could be done at stage 1

4 Dovetailing into the Current Process 6.A ROM can be requested and/or DCA commissioned following stage 5. An industry steer will be sort on how best to progress after customers have had the opportunity to review/discuss ROM/DCA. 7.If Mod proceeds it goes to Panel for final approval 8.Mod and ACS then go to Ofgem 9.Once approved by Ofgem system project work can commence

5 High Level Cost and Timescale Assessment Matrix  The matrix represents a very high level assessment  It will come out before the service is fully defined  No analysis or investigation work will have been undertaken – it is a ‘finger in the air’ assessment based on xoserve’s experience  It is designed to give the proposer and other customers a view from which they can decide early on in the Mod process whether to proceed (or not) based on potential costs and timescale vs. their internal business case 12 mths plus Six to 12 mths Less than 6 mths Less than £100k £101k to £500k £501k to £1m£1m plus Potential Timescale Once project starts Cost estimate Estimate Matrix