The need to make more efficient use of energy resources by improved methods of control, the deferment of expensive pipework reinforcement or replacement and the requirement to accommodate different loading patterns on sections of the gas network have made the requirement for effective feedback control essential. Gas distribution systems are large and complex and a major problem in applying conventional feedback techniques is the cost and reliability of transmitting the data necessary for automatic control. In order to overcome these difficulties, state estimation techniques have been investigated as a means of providing information about a distribution system from a minimum number of measurement points. The theoretical background to the study is reviewed including the modelling technique and the results of experimental work which has been performed on a distribution network in order to verify the techniques developed are presented. The results show that state estimation techniques have considerable potential for this type of application.