Print this page Pipelining 101 – An Overview of the Natural Gas Industry & Transmission Pipelines as Linear Projects
H. Wayne Harper, P.E.
Course Outline
This four hour course provides an overview of the natural gas industry and transmission pipelines as linear construction projects. Each phase of construction is reviewed with an emphasis on special construction techniques which are utilized to protect sensitive environmental resources. After completing this course, the student will have a greater understanding of the development of these linear projects and their integral part as a vital component of the nation's energy supply. The course content was primarily generated from an Environmental Engineer’s extensive experience with numerous construction projects, as well as, reference material from industry associations and governmental agencies.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of course materials.
Learning
Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
- Understand the difference between natural gas (CH4) and propane (C3H8). Not all gases are created equal;
- Be knowledgeable with where natural gas is found, both geologically and geographically;
- Be familiar with world natural gas consumption rates and where the United States fits into the global market;
- Have a better understanding of the journey natural gas takes:
- from the well head;
- through production;
- through transmission;
- through distribution; and finally,
- to the consumer.
- Realize the extent and various types of pipelines throughout the United States;
- Understand what liquefied natural gas (LNG) is and why we use it;
- Obtain an overview of transmission pipeline project planning and design strategies;
- Be knowledgeable of the permitting process for transmission pipeline projects;
- Be familiar with the acquisition of rights-of-way for transmission pipeline projects;
- Understand the various standard transmission pipeline construction techniques;
- Realize the enhancement of special transmission pipeline construction techniques to protect sensitive environmental features; and
- Become aware of the numerous acronyms utilized in the natural gas industry.
Intended Audience
This course is intended for civil, environmental, petroleum, and mechanical engineers.
Benefit for Attendee
Attendee of this course will understand how transmission pipelines are developed while protecting sensitive environmental resources and how these pipelines fit within the overall natural gas industry.
Course Introduction
Within the United States, over 304,000-miles transmission pipelines have been developed as part of an extensive natural gas network. The construction of these pipelines involves the intricate process of a moving assembly line where the pipe is somewhat stationary and various work crews move along it to progress its development. To protect the sensitive environmental resources that are invariably traversed by these linear projects, specialized construction techniques are utilized. Upon completion, the energy infrastructure of our nation is enhanced while minimizing the adverse impacts of project construction.
Course Content
The course content is contained in the following PDF file:
Pipelining 101 – An Overview of the Natural Gas Industry & Transmission Pipelines as Linear Projects
Please click on the above underlined hypertext to view, download or print the document for your study. Because of the large file size, we recommend that you first save the file to your computer by right clicking the mouse and choosing "Save Target As ...", and then open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you still experience any difficulty in downloading or opening this file, you may need to close some applications or reboot your computer to free up some memory.
Table of Contents
1.0 Natural Gas
2.0 Overview of the Natural Gas Industry in America
2.1 Gas Producing and Processing Companies
2.2 Gas Transmission Pipelines
2.3 Natural Gas Storage
2.3.1 Gas Storage Fields
2.3.2 Liquefied Natural Gas
2.4 Gas Distribution
3.0 Development and Construction of Transmission Pipelines
3.1 Pre-Construction Activities
3.1.1 Project Planning
3.1.2 Design
3.1.3 Permitting
3.1.4 Acquisition of Right-of-Way
3.2 Standard Pipeline Construction Processes
3.2.1 Clearing
3.2.2 Grading
3.2.3 Trenching
3.2.4 Pipe Stringing
3.2.5 Pipe Bending
3.2.6 Welding
3.2.7 Coating
3.2.8 Lowering-in
3.2.9 Backfilling
3.2.10 Hydrostatic Testing
3.2.11 Final Grading and Restoration
3.3 Special Construction Techniques
Course Summary3.3.1 Waterbody Crossings – Open Cut
3.3.2 Waterbody Crossings – Dry Cut
3.3.3 Waterbody Crossings – Horizontal Directional Drilling
3.3.4 Wetland Crossings
3.3.5 Road Bores
The development of our nation’s energy infrastructure can occur while protecting sensitive environmental resources. This is particularly true for the natural gas transmission pipeline industry, which has developed specialized construction techniques for this purpose. Engineers should be aware of these techniques and implement them into the pre-construction design process.
Related Links
For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites or web pages:
NaturalGas.com via http://www.naturalgas.com/index.asp
The Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) via http://www.ingaa.com/
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) via http://www.ferc.gov/about/about.asp
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
