natural gas transmission pipelines

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Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines

Brisbane City Council Meeting

June 6, 2011

Brisbane City Council MeetingJune 6, 2011

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Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines PG&E provides 4.3 million customer accounts

with natural gas service

PG&E’s top priority is safety

Comprehensive pipeline inspection and monitoring programs

- Monitor pipelines on a 24-hour basis

- Conduct regular pipeline assessments

- Any issues identified as a threat to public safety are immediately addressed


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Enhancing the Safety of the System

Reduction in Gas PressureAccelerated Leak SurveyRoutine Pipeline PatrolsCathodic Protection SurveysIntegrity Assessments


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Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines PG&E uses data it collects during routine

surveys to help plan and prioritize future work

Evaluation takes into consideration the following criteria:

- Potential for third party damage

- Potential for corrosion

- Potential for ground movement

- Physical design and characteristics


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Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines PG&E determines which segments warrant

further evaluation, monitoring or future action- Top 100 list

- Document used to inform future work plans

- As conditions change and work is completed year to year, PG&E reevaluates the segments included on the list

- No Brisbane segments appear on the Top 100 list

- Pipelines in Brisbane- Line 101 runs along Bayshore Boulevard

- Line 132 runs through San Bruno Mountain State Park, crosses West Hill Place and north to Guadalupe Canyon Parkway


77Lines 101 and 132


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Pipeline 2020 Program Modernize Critical Pipeline Infrastructure

Expand the Use of Automatic and Remotely Operated Shut-Off Valves

Spur Development of Next-Generation Inspection Technologies

Develop Industry-Leading Best Practices

Enhance Public Safety Partnerships


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What is hydrostatic testing?• PG&E will be performing a hydrostatic pressure test

on a segment of natural gas pipeline.

• This involves pressurizing a section of pipe with water to a much higher level than the pipe will ever operate at with natural gas.

• This verifies the capability of a pipeline to safely operate and can also reveal weaknesses that could lead to defects and leaks.


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Customer outreach efforts:PG&E has a comprehensive plan for customer and community outreach regarding our tests and field work:• Letters sent to all residents and businesses near the area

where testing will take place, with the following information:

• Project fact sheets will be included with the letters that will describe the work, what customers can expect, and when the work will be completed

• Open Houses where customers can have their questions answered by PG&E representatives and subject matter experts

• Door hangers placed on residences nearest to construction activity to remind them of work just prior to it taking place

• Recorded reminder messages delivered by telephone

• Post-test letter informing residents and businesses of the test results


1111Work area:


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Where to go for more information:• Customer Care gas specialist representatives are

available to answer questions about natural gas pipelines or the work being done in the area at 1-888-743-7431, between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

• Online information about the project, PG&E’s Natural Gas Transmission System and our Pipeline Safety Programs at: www.pge.com/gassystem.


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ResourcesWebsite: www.pge.com

Pipeline Information Line: 1-888-743-7431

Customer Call Center: 1-800-743-5000

Contractors “Call Before You Dig”: 811

natural gas transmission pipelines

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