On June 11, Delgaz Grid brought together 229 of its top field specialists for the zonal stage of the Technical Olympiad 2026, the most important internal competition in Romania’s natural gas distribution sector. The event took place simultaneously across the company’s regional headquarters in Alba Iulia, Bacău, Baia Mare, Cluj-Napoca, Iași, Mediaș, Târgu Mureș, and Timișoara.
The participants were selected following local qualification rounds that involved more than 1,070 professionals responsible for operating and maintaining Delgaz Grid’s extensive natural gas distribution network, which spans nearly 27,000 kilometers across Romania.
The zonal stage tested competitors through both theoretical and practical examinations, covering key technical domains such as network maintenance, pressure regulation systems, construction and installation works, corrosion protection, defect remediation, measurement systems, gas meter maintenance, welding operations (PE and steel), and live pressure interventions, as well as detection and localization activities.
Speaking about the significance of the competition, Cristian Secoșan, CEO of Delgaz Grid, emphasized that the participants represent the backbone of operational safety in the gas distribution system:
“Beyond the competition itself, these colleagues are the ones who, every day, take responsibility for keeping the network safe. Their work is not always visible, but it is essential for all of us. That is why I appreciate not only their professionalism, but also their dedication to continuous self-improvement.”
Participants also highlighted the value of the event as a professional development opportunity. One of the winners, Eugen Filip, noted that the Olympiad encourages continuous learning and cross-regional collaboration:
“Participating in the Technical Olympiad is always challenging for me because it pushes me to learn new things, deepen my knowledge, and interact with colleagues from other regions.”
The competition is structured into five main technical categories: network maintenance and inspection, special activities (detection and localization), measurement systems, welding operations, and high-pressure interventions. The top performers—40 first-place specialists across all categories and regional centers—will advance to the final stage, scheduled to take place in autumn in Mediaș, where they will compete for the main trophies and awards.
This year’s 13th edition introduces an important novelty: a dedicated section for external contractors involved in pipeline and service line replacement works, recognizing their essential contribution to infrastructure modernization and network development.
The Technical Olympiad also includes a Junior edition, developed in partnership with vocational schools and dual education programs supported by Delgaz Grid. Young participants are integrated into the learning ecosystem, gaining early exposure to the technical requirements and career pathways in the natural gas distribution sector.
Originally initiated by a group of young engineers within the company, the Technical Olympiad has evolved into a structured internal platform for continuous training, skills validation, and knowledge exchange among professionals working across 20 counties in Romania.
Over the years, the initiative has proven to be more than a competition—it has become a mechanism for professional recognition, continuous learning, and cross-regional collaboration. Delgaz Grid has also expressed its intention to expand the initiative into a national-level event in the future, potentially involving other gas distribution companies in Romania.
