Gathering Pipelines | Gas pipelines from Marcellus wells to the compressor station

GAS GATHERING PIPELINES

PAGE INDEX

Introduction
Updates
Pipeline resources and information
Pennsylvania Legislation - House Bill 344
Photographs of Gas Gathering Pipeline construction

PENNSYLVANIA - The proliferation of thousands of new gas gathering pipelines from Marcellus Shale wells in Pennsylvania demanded the Pennsylvania legislature address the safety issues in 2011, just as 31 states had done before them. Representative Baker was the prime sponsor of House Bill 344. Up until then, there was little to no regulation of these gas gathering lines, and they didn't even appear on the 811 System - 'Call Before You Dig.'

The Pennsylvania governor signed the legislation on December 22, 2011, with Act 127 of 2011 taking effect 60 days later, in late February 2012. Under the new law, the Pennsylvania Utilities Commission (PUC) will be authorized to conduct safety inspections and investigations in coordination with the US Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).

UPDATES

West Virginia blast highlights safety risks

By Don Hopey, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
December 13, 2012 - The Pennsylvania Utility Commission (PUC) regulates about 870 miles of the almost 2,200 gathering lines which transport natural gas from well sites to compressor stations. The PUC does not have "safety jurisdiction" over the 1,300 miles of gathering lines, known as "Class 1" lines but under provisions of a 2011 state law the pipeline companies must register those lines with the PUC. The gathering lines are classified Class 1 because they are located in areas where there are less than 10 homes within a one mile radius of the line.

PIPELINE RESOURCES & INFORMATION

Pennsylvania Pipeline Mileage Overview
Source: PHMSA
Approximate mileage in 2009 (Data may be incomplete)
Hazardous liquid line mileage - 2,638 miles
Gas transmission line mileage - 10,011 miles
Gas Gathering line mileage - 590 miles
Gas distribution mileage - 47,143 miles
Total pipeline mileage - 60,382 miles

Pennsylvania Significant Incidents Listing
Significant incidents reported in Pennsylvania from 2001-2011

National Pipeline Mapping System

Check pipeline maps for your county here

Pipeline Regulatory Agencies

Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC)
Commonwealth Keystone Building
P.O. Box 3265
Harrisburg, PA 17105-3265
Office: 717-787-1063 Fax: 717-787-3114

Office of Pipeline Safety - Eastern Region Office
820 Bear Tavern Road, Suite 103
W. Trenton, NJ 08628
Telephone: 609-989-2171
Direct: 202-550-0481 609-989-2252

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
East Building, Second Floor (PH)
Washington D.C. 20590-0001
Phone: 202-366-4595

The General Assembly of Pennsylvania
House Bill 344

Short Title: An Act providing for gas and hazardous liquids pipelines and for powers and duties of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission; and imposing civil penalties.

Prime Sponsor: Representative Baker

Last Action: Act No. 127

In the Pa Senate:
Third consideration and final passage, Dec. 13, 2011 (50-0)

In the Pa House:
House concurred in Senate amendments, Dec. 15, 2011 (191-0)

Signed in House, Dec. 15, 2011

Signed in Senate, Dec. 22, 2011

Approved by the Governor, Dec. 22, 2011

Act No. 127

Highlights of the Bill:

SECTION 101. SHORT TITLE.
THIS ACT SHALL BE KNOWN AND MAY BE CITED AS THE GAS AND HAZARDOUS LIQUIDS PIPELINES ACT.

DISCLOSURE. - THE COMMISSION SHALL REQUIRE EACH PIPELINE OPERATOR, REGARDLESS OF CLASS LOCATION, TO DISCLOSE IN ITS INITIAL REGISTRATION AND IN EACH ANNUAL RENEWAL THE COUNTRY OF MANUFACTURE FOR ALL TUBULAR STEEL PRODUCTS USED IN THE EXPLORATION, GATHERING OR TRANSPORTATION OF NATURAL GAS OR HAZARDOUS LIQUIDS. THE COMMISSION MAY DEVELOP A DISCLOSURE FORM AND REQUIRE ITS USE.

GENERAL RULE. - THE SAFETY STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS FOR PIPELINE OPERATORS SHALL BE THOSE ISSUED UNDER THE FEDERAL PIPELINE SAFETY LAWS AS IMPLEMENTED IN 49 CFR SUBTITLE B CH. I SUBCH. D (RELATING TO PIPELINE SAFETY).

COMMISSION AUTHORITY. - THE COMMISSION SHALL HAVE GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY TO SUPERVISE AND REGULATE PIPELINE OPERATORS WITHIN THIS COMMONWEALTH CONSISTENT WITH FEDERAL PIPELINE SAFETY LAWS. THE COMMISSION MAY ADOPT REGULATIONS, CONSISTENT WITH THE FEDERAL PIPELINE SAFETY LAWS, AS MAY BE NECESSARY OR PROPER IN THE EXERCISE OF ITS POWERS AND PERFORM ITS DUTIES UNDER THIS ACT. THE REGULATIONS SHALL NOT BE INCONSISTENT WITH OR GREATER OR MORE STRINGENT THAN THE MINIMUM STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS ADOPTED UNDER THE FEDERAL PIPELINE SAFETY LAW.

SURFACE AREA.—A LEASE ENTERED INTO TO PERMIT THE REPLACEMENT OR CONSTRUCTION OF A PIPELINE CARRYING NATURAL GAS MAY INCLUDE PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE RESTORATION OF THE SURFACE AREA, INCLUDING SOIL OR VEGETATION. A LEASE WITH A PUBLIC ENTITY MAY PROVIDE FOR THE PLANTING OF TREES IN OTHER AREAS OF A COUNTY OR MUNICIPALITY IF TREES WERE REMOVED TO REPLACE OR CONSTRUCT THE PIPELINE.

Full Version:
House Bill 344 (PDF) House Bill 344 (Browser)

PHOTOS OF GAS GATHERING LINES

HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP, PA - The December 2011 excavation of a gas gathering pipeline from the William Black Unit cross-country to the Lowry Compressor Station provides an excellent opportunity to see gas gathering line construction firsthand, from the air and on the ground. These photos will give you an idea of what to expect when a gas gathering line is installed from a Marcellus Shale gas well to a compressor station.