80 ansTeréga80 ans
Espace pédagogique

80 years
and still as much
energy

For 80 years, Teréga has been contributing to the energy future of the Far South-West of France, France, and Europe. Key dates, never-before-told anecdotes, testimonials: embark on a story that continues to be written every day.

Trailers

Timeline in 10 key dates

The adventure begins

1945

Commissioning of Lacq and Lussagnet

1957

Birth of Elf Aquitaine

1976

Gas crosses the Pyrenees

1993

Hello, TIGF

2005

A new chapter for the company

2013

Biomethane begins to flow

2016

A new name, a new direction

2018

A subsidiary and a fund

2020

80 is the right age

2025
The adventure begins

The adventure begins

The founding of the Société Nationale des Gaz du Sud-Ouest (SNGSO) marked the launch of a pioneering venture focused on developing regional gas infrastructure.

Fun Facts

The riddle of the yellow hats

The riddle of the yellow hats

You have probably already seen them without paying attention: these metal posts topped with a yellow hat, along roads or in the middle of fields. Official designation? "Metallic aerial marker with double-sloped cap." Mission? To signal the presence, underground, of our gas pipelines. Numbered, they allow the network to be precisely located in case of work, but also to be monitored by helicopter. If you look closely, each one bears an emergency number to contact in case of a gas smell or anomaly. Discreet but essential for everyone's safety.

Pau to New York – by gas pipeline

Pau to New York – by gas pipeline

5,000 km of pipelines – the same distance as Pau to New York – but not beneath the Atlantic. Spanning 15 departments across the South-West of France, this vast network of pipelines transports gas, interconnects public distribution systems, and supplies industrial sites and biomethane units.

The Pyrenees – a European energy bridge

The Pyrenees – a European energy bridge

The Pyrenees carry the flow of energy between France and Spain. Since the 1990s, two key interconnections – Biriatou and Larrau – have enabled gas to circulate between the two countries, strengthening their energy ties and enhancing supply security. Eighty years after its founding, Teréga remains a pivotal player in European gas exchange.

XXL gas reserves

XXL gas reserves

6.6 billion cubic metres – that’s the total gas storage capacity across our two sites at Lussagnet and Izaute. That’s equivalent to 2.6 million Olympic swimming pools or six times the volume of Lake Annecy!
This strategic reserve is essential to ensuring year-round energy supply – a mission Teréga has upheld for 80 years

Gas has no smell

Gas has no smell

"Smells like gas" – it’s a familiar phrase, but technically incorrect. Natural gas, primarily methane, is odourless. The distinctive smell we associate with gas comes from tetrahydrothiophene – or THT – a compound we add to the gas in our grid. This regulatory requirement ensures that any leak is immediately detectable, allowing for rapid intervention.

Teréga steps up to the plate

Teréga steps up to the plate

From rugby with Section Paloise, to cycling with the Tour Féminin International des Pyrénées, and tennis at the Teréga Open Pau-Pyrénées – our Group has a long-standing tradition of supporting sport across South-West France. Our latest partnership: proud sponsor of the women’s basketball club Basket Landes, based in Mont-de-Marsan.

2,500 km on foot – a tireless commitment

2,500 km on foot – a tireless commitment

At Teréga, we continuously monitor the condition of our grid. Drones, helicopters, even satellites – we use every available tool to safeguard our infrastructure. But nothing beats boots on the ground: every year, half of our grid – that’s 2,500 kilometres – is inspected on foot by our dedicated teams.
As we celebrate 80 years of service, we pay tribute to these true guardians of safety and reliability watching over our infrastructure every day.

Many grids, many molecules

Many grids, many molecules

At Teréga, we’re paving the way for the transport and storage of new molecules. Committed to the energy transition, we’re adapting our grid to accommodate renewable and low-carbon gases. From the first biomethane injection in 2015, to the 2025 pilot converting natural gas pipelines to hydrogen ten years later, and including CO2 capture and transport – we’re helping build a decarbonised energy hub.

Behind the scene

Tomorrow, Teréga will have confirmed its key role as an actor in the energy transition. We will be well on our way to being a 100% decarbonized energy hub by 2050.

Carolle FoissaudPresident and CEO of Teréga