PIPELINE OUTAGE & TESTING

Many utilities and upstream transmission companies will execute existing pipeline “reinforcement” or expansion projects during non-peak periods. For some more remote or isolated distribution networks, “workarounds” may not be possible. An option to construction of a new line would be to utilize mobile/temporary LNG storage and regas solution downstream of the construction project to maintain flow to customers.

Extended Pipeline Construction Outage

The customer was upgrading a major section of its distribution line in order to serve a new gas-fired power plant in Northeast Pennsylvania. In order to rebuild the pipeline, a major section with a sub-lateral to a small community had to be taken out of service for approximately eight months from April through November of 2016.

Solution supplied:

1) a turnkey solution for LNG storage (approximately 2,273 dekatherms),
2) electric and ambient LNG vaporization for 100% redundancy for 400 dekatherms per day of LNG vaporization,
3) gas-fueled power generation for controls and vaporization, and 4) a fully automated odorization system with data acquisition and storage.

Results:

The client was able to complete the pipeline rebuild in one season and ahead of schedule. Stabilis supplied the community safely and reliably well into December 2016, allowing project completion.

PIPELINE OUTAGE & TESTING

One of the U.S.’s largest interstate pipeline companies was required by DOT/PHMSA to hydrotest a critical section of pipeline this past spring. The company planned the outage in concert with their largest customer, a large copper mine that was 82 miles away. The company still had many firm contracts with customers over the 80 mile stretch of pipeline that had to be supplied natural gas. Stabilis had executed two other similar projects with this client, but not as big nor as critical as this project was to a multitude of customers.

Interstate Pipeline Hydrotest

A large, national pipeline company with ownership in several interstate pipelines was required to pressure-test a critical section for three to six days. With 82 miles of downstream pipeline and several “firm supply” customers, it was imperative that the aforementioned company’s operations group find an interim and ultra-reliable supply solution. The firm had worked with Stabilis on two previous projects where similar outages were required.
The pipeline company required up to 172,000 scfh and up to 2,433,000 scfd of gas at a pressure of approximately 350 psig. Stabilis Energy evaluated both LNG pumping and gas compression solutions and chose to work with a reputable gas compression services provider, also based in Houston.

STABILIS Solution:

Stabilis provided a turnkey LNG solution to meet the needs of the transmission company over a two-day period. The total equipment solution consisted of 4,000 dekatherms of LNG storage; vaporization capable of approximately 320,000 scfh of natural gas supply; and compression with appropriate controls, check valves and a suction recycle loop for high turndown. Stabilis provided the LNG equipment, continuous labor coverage, and LNG supply to meet the critical short-term needs of the pipeline company.

Results:

Stabilis’s customer was able to execute the integrity test and bring the line back into service in less than a week without a second of downtime from the gas supply solution. As a result of this performance, the company has recommended Stabilis to be designated as the company’s preferred vendor for LNG applications to supply gas during pipeline outages when appropriate.