Local Distribution Pipelines in Nontechnical Language

by Thomas O. Miesner

Overview

More than two million miles of local distribution pipelines deliver natural gas to homes, businesses, schools, and hospitals throughout the United States, and many more serve the rest of the world. These small-diameter, low-pressure pipelines serve as a critical link between high-pressure transportation pipelines and end users. Local Distribution Pipelines in Nontechnical Language explains natural gas distribution systems, a vital component in the overall natural gas transportation system, from their humble beginnings delivering “town gas” to handling today’s complex urban infrastructure.

Benefits for Readers:

• Knowing what goes on “behind” the City Gate
• Understanding the many components required for local distribution pipelines to function properly
• Learning how LDCs are managed and operated to assure continual supply
• Comprehending the specialized design, engineering, construction, and maintenance of these system

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781593703776
Publisher:	PennWell Corporation
Publication date:	12/06/2016
Pages:	390
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Thomas O. Miesner, former president of Conoco Pipeline, has spent more than 25 years in the pipeline industry working in engineering, operations, business development, and joint venture management positions. He served on the boards of several pipeline companies, including three years as Chairman of the Board for Explorer Pipeline Company. Active on the API Pipeline General Committee and the Association of Oil Pipelines Executive Committee, Miesner was also Chairman of the Association of Oil Pipelines in 2001 where he was instrumental in establishing a vision for the future as well as strategic initiatives which are still presently being pursued by the industry. He received his BS in Engineering Management from the University of Missouri-Rolla.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

1 How Pipelines Differ 1

Pipelines Are Ubiquitous 1

Energy Pipelines 1

Pipeline Categories 2

From Producer to Consumer 3

Summary 14

2 Two Beginnings 15

Light and Heat: Safety and Security 16

Gas from Coal 16

Enter Natural Gas 18

More about Manufactured Gas 19

Early Beginnings: 1800 to 1850 21

Powering the Industrial Revolution and Moving into the Home: 1850 to 1900 23

Glory and Fall of Manufactured Gas: 1900 to 1950 30

Turbulent Times to Shining Star: 1950 to 2000 42

Summary 46

Notes 47

3 How Pipelines Work 51

The Physics of Fluid Flow 51

Municipal Water Systems 53

Friction Losses, Pipe Lengths, and Flow Rates 54

Hydraulic Properties of Hydrocarbon Fluids 59

Hydraulics 67

Summary 76

Note 77

4 Components and Equipment 79

Introduction 79

Pipe 80

Coatings 86

Fittings 91

Valves 98

Actuators 105

Meters 109

Meter Provers 116

Odorant Skids 117

Rectifiers 117

Anodes 118

Storage 119

Other Components 121

Summary 121

Notes 123

5 Natural Gas Transmission Line Operations 125

Natural Gas Lines: A Brief Review 128

Central Control Rooms 146

Summary 157

6 Local Distribution Pipeline Operations 159

Local Distribution Pipelines: An Overview 160

Functions and Tasks 172

Operations 173

Customer Service 180

Gas Supply 184

Other Groups 189

Summary 190

Notes 191

7 Liquefied Natural Gas 193

What Is LNG? 194

A Brief History of LNG 194

Why Liquefy Natural Gas? 195

The Science behind LNG 196

Gas → Liquid → Gas 196

Export and Import Terminals 202

Other LNG Facilities 203

Summary 203

Notes 204

8 Releases, Leaks, and Leak Management 205

Introduction 205

Releases 207

Leaks 208

Detecting Leaks 212

Investigating Leaks 218

Locating Leaks 218

Leak Management 220

Summary 221

Notes 222

9 Asset Integrity 223

Introduction 223

Risk 224

Mining Past Data 227

Failure Mechanisms and Forces 231

Preventing Releases 236

Integrity Management Plans 242

Determining Asset Condition 244

Defects and Failures 245

Repairing Defects and Failures 246

Summary 255

Notes 249

10 Control Systems and SCADA 251

Control Systems 253

SCADA 255

Design and Control 257

Summary 274

11 Design and Engineering 277

Natural Gas Engineering Functions 278

Standards and Codes 279

The Engineering and Design Process 280

Design and Engineering 286

Pipeline Design 286

Facility Design 296

Facility Modifications 308

Power System Design 308

Control System Design 309

Other Engineering Tasks 309

Summary 309

Notes 310

12 Construction 311

Introduction 311

Contracting 312

Permitting 313

Plastic Lines and Connections 314

Trenchless Construction Techniques 320

Steel Lines 323

Facility Construction 325

Quality Control 327

Safety 331

Data Collection 331

As-Builts and Inventories 331

Operating Procedure Manuals 332

Summary 332

13 Business Models and Expenditure Decisions 335

Ownership 335

Bundled, Unbundled, and Open Access 336

Revenues 337

Expenditure Decisions 340

Valuation 344

Summary 346

Notes 347

14 Challenges for the Future 349

Public Safety 350

Reliability 354

Efficiency 358

Environmental Performance 359

Aging Workforce 359

Summary 360

Notes 360

Index 363