LOS ANGELES, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern
California Gas Company (SoCalGas) today announced that it will
upgrade or replace 50 to 60 pipeline valves in 2017 to further
enhance the safety of its system. The upgraded valves will feature
the latest technology that allow operators to control the valves
from a remote location, or that automatically shut off the valve if
a drop in pressure is detected. The new valves will allow gas
control operators to respond more quickly if gas flow needs to be
shut off in an emergency. The effort is part of SoCalGas' Pipeline
Safety Enhancement Plan (PSEP), a multi-billion-dollar program that
tests and updates the natural gas pipeline infrastructure in
Southern California.
Since the company began using this new valve technology five
years ago, the PSEP program has replaced or retrofitted more than
100 valve locations. PSEP has five separate project teams dedicated
to valve upgrades and retrofits, and will continue to replace and
retrofit valves through 2022. SoCalGas completed 56 valve upgrade
projects in 2016.
Valves control the flow of natural gas through pipelines. An
open valve allows natural gas to flow freely, and a closed valve
shuts off the gas flow to a pipeline segment. The company's
transmission system is equipped with valves that separate the
pipelines into sections. In the past, qualified field personnel had
to drive to the valve site to open or close a valve as needed.
Current technology, called Remote Control Valves (RCVs), allows
valves to be opened or closed remotely by system operators from a
central control location. Other new valves are equipped with a
control device that automatically triggers a mechanism that shuts
off gas flow in the event of a large pressure drop. These are
called Automatic Shut-off Valves (ASVs).
SoCalGas uses both of these technologies throughout its pipeline
system at strategic locations. As the company continues to upgrade
and retrofit valves with RCV and ASV technology, operators will
have more flexibility and can respond more quickly if a valve
suddenly needs to be closed.
Safety first
"Safety always comes first when operating
a valve with RCV or ASV technology," said Rick Phillips, senior director of SoCalGas'
Pipeline Safety Enhancement Plan. "Valves can be closed
automatically or remotely, however, they cannot be reopened
remotely without physical verification by SoCalGas crews to ensure
the safety of the public."
SoCalGas dedicates significant resources to improving the safety
and integrity of its more than 101,000 miles of natural gas
pipelines. In 2017, the company plans to spend approximately
$1.2 billion for improvements to
distribution, transmission and storage systems and for pipeline
safety.
You can find photos and a video with more information on valves
here.
About Southern California Gas Company
Southern
California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) has been delivering clean, safe and
reliable natural gas to its customers for 150 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. SoCalGas 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 Company