Our look at
NATURAL GAS PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION

Once the gas wells are drilled and the natural gas begins to flow, it becomes necessary to deliver the gas and gas liquids to market. Natural gas pipelines move gas to compressor stations and wet gas processing facilities to separate the natural gas from the natural gas liquids (NGL's).

Here we get a glimpse of natural gas pipeline construction over Marcellus Shale. Photos of excavation equipment, gas pipe and pipeline construction are featured, from recent photo tours of Marcellus Shale natural gas well drilling areas in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Cross-country pipelines are seen travelling over hills and through valleys of the rolling terrain.

PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS

Installing gas pipeline in Washington County, Pa.

Stream breached by muddy May 2011 run-off.
Baker Station Road, Amwell Township, Pa

Interstate gas pipeline for Marcellus

Pipeline construction between West Virginia and Pennsylvania
connecting to the MarkWest Plant in Houston, Pa.

Marcellus Shale gas pipeline

Western Pennsylvania gas pipeline

Green protective coating on new gas pipe

Gas pipe along ditch

Gas pipe laid out and awaiting installation.
Welds at joints are X-Rayed.

Serious pipeline incident cause breakdown 1990 through 2009

Future Marcellus pipeline cuts through a farm field
in Washington County Pennsylvania

Pipeline construction

Pipeline workers installing new pipeline

Methane Is Popping Up All Over Boston

November 20, 2012 – NEW YORK TIMES by Joanna M. Foster - Concern over water contamination from fracking for natural gas aside, some argue that the much-advertised climate advantage of natural gas may be all but offset by the steady release of methane during its long journey from the well to the 65 million American households that depend on natural gas. Molecule per molecule, methane has more than 20 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide. Now researchers in Boston have given skeptics of the at-least-natural-gas-is-better- than- coal argument some additional ammunition.

In Boston and many other aging cities in the Northeast, a maze of underground low-pressure natural gas pipelines are riddled with leaks. The research team discovered 3,356 leaks of methane whose isotopic characteristics indicated that they originated in fossil fuel rather than microbial sources. Some leaks clocked in at more than 15 times the global background methane level. According to the Energy Information Administration, an average of $3.1 billion worth of natural gas is lost or unaccounted for nationally each year. Generally it is the consumer ratepayers, not the producers, who pay the penalty for the lost gas.

Gas pipeline company uses tracked vehicles for rough terrain

E&S (erosion & sedimentation) roll crosses dirt path

Gas pipe cribbed up to allow access on all sides of pipe

New gas pipe going into the ground is around $1 million to $1.5 million per mile. In 1968, Congress began imposing federal construction standards on new natural gas pipelines, resulting in improvements to welds, coatings and pipeline inspections.

Pipeline ditch being backfilled

"Pig launchers"

Pipeline regulation is handled by:

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulate gas transportation rates, pipeline capacity, pipeline siting and natural gas quality requirements.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) provide regulation for the safe transportation of natural gas through pipelines.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the state environmental protection agencies provide regulations for protection of the environment during the construction and operation of pipeline facilities.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides regulation for safe working conditions.
The U.S. Department of Interior Minerals Management Service (MMS) provides regulation for offshore pipeline easement leases.