Today’s natural gas gathering pipelines are constructed and maintained to ensure the safe transport of natural gas for decades to come. A combination of the use of quality materials, high construction standards, adherence to state and federal regulations and a century of pipeline technology merge to create confidence in the installation and operation of the natural gas pipeline system.
The epoxy-coated, high-grade steel pipe, usually used to build a gathering pipeline system, plays an important safety role. The protective coating and wall thickness of the pipe work to inhibit corrosion of the steel and minimize the possibilities of a leak developing after construction. Also, when installing pipelines, radiographs (X-rays) are taken at the work site to verify the quality and integrity of the welds connecting the sections of pipe. Hydrostatic testing of the entire pipeline system after construction uses high water pressure to verify the pipeline strength of the pipeline and that there are no immediate leaks.
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Pipelines are operated under specific federal and state regulations and industry standards intended to ensure the safety and health of the public and environment. Gathering lines in populated areas are regulated and controlled by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The Louisiana Office of Conservation is authorized to enforce these federal regulations and to perform inspections on pipeline operations.
LMGS generally designs pipelines to meet or exceed standards required by the federal government, on all new pipelines throughout the Haynesville Shale. Also, as required by law, pipelines are allowed to operate at pressures substantially below the actual rated strength of the pipe and the hydrostatic pressure at which the pipeline was tested.
Regulatory agencies like the Louisiana Office of Conservation employ trained and experienced inspectors, who periodically inspect or audit pipeline companies and their facilities for compliance with the applicable regulations.
The number and location of valve sites is another safety component built into the pipeline infrastructure. Valve sites are needed at specific intervals, to stop the flow of gas to a particular area of the pipeline. The ability to isolate part of the system allows for the use of maintenance tools to clean, maintain, and periodically inspect the internal surface of the pipeline. If a leak or another emergency situation occurs, valves allow for swift containment of the gas stream by shutting off the affected sections of the pipeline.
Pipeline safety regulations require pipeline companies to have public awareness programs to inform and educate the general public, public officials, emergency responders and excavators (those digging around pipelines) about pipelines. Topics may include the following subjects: locations of pipelines, general pipeline safety awareness, how to recognize a potential leak or problem, the purpose of pipeline marking signs, and means of notifying the company in case of a problem. Outreach is accomplished through several means such as mailing out brochures to residents and business along a pipeline route, media advertising in the community, participating in public meetings and the use of education consortia.