LOS ANGELES, Sept. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern
California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) today announced the company
successfully tested a system to capture natural gas emptied from a
recently abandoned natural gas pipeline during work in the city of
Atascadero, saving the gas for
later use and eliminating noise and emissions that occur in the
traditional venting process. In total, approximately 108,000 cubic
feet of natural gas was captured – about what 523 homes use each
day on average in the U.S.
Last month, crews decommissioned a two-and-half-mile section of
pipeline that was recently replaced by a new pipeline in a new
location. The work required the pipe to be completely emptied of
about 150,000 cubic feet of natural gas. Instead of following
the standard process of venting the gas, SoCalGas compressed most
of it, and then pumped it into three large tanks so it could be put
back into SoCalGas' system and used by customers.
"We're extremely excited that our engineers are experimenting
with this groundbreaking innovation," said Rick Phillips, senior director of SoCalGas'
Pipeline Safety Enhancement Plan. "Capturing the methane we would
traditionally vent to atmosphere not only reduces noise or smells
neighbors might notice, but also minimizes impacts to the
environment. We will continue testing this new innovation in hopes
of expanding its use for whenever its application may be
suitable."
Nationwide, emissions from natural gas distribution systems like
SoCalGas' represent less than 1 percent of greenhouse gas
emissions.
The methane capture technique was tested as part of SoCalGas'
Pipeline Safety Enhancement Plan (PSEP), a multi-billion-dollar
program that identifies various high pressure pipeline sections
throughout SoCalGas' system and schedules them to be
pressure-tested or replaced. PSEP also includes provisions to
upgrade, replace or retrofit hundreds of mainline valves in the
system with technology that allows them to be opened or closed
remotely by system operators from a central control location, or
that automatically shuts off the flow of natural gas in the event
of a large drop in pressure.
SoCalGas dedicates significant resources to improving the safety
and integrity of its more than 101,000 miles of natural gas
pipelines. In 2016, the company plans to spend approximately
$1.2 billion for improvements to
distribution, transmission and storage systems and for pipeline
safety.
About SoCalGas
Southern California Gas Co. has been delivering clean, safe and
reliable natural gas to its customers for more than 145 years.
It is the nation's largest natural gas distribution utility,
providing service to 21.6 million consumers connected through 5.9
million meters in more than 500 communities. The company's
service territory encompasses approximately 20,000 square miles
throughout central and Southern
California, from Visalia to
the Mexican border. Southern California Gas Co. is a
regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500
energy services holding company based in San Diego.
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SOURCE Southern California Gas Co.