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 533 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.