• PIPELINE SYSTEMS •
— Natural Gas Pipelines
Natural gas pipeline systems consist of three major segments:
– Gathering lines: connecting extraction sites to larger transmission pipelines
– Transmission lines: large capacity pipelines, usually interstate pipelines bringing gas to markets. Gas is brought to “city gate stations” or “metering and regulation (M&R)” stations, where gas is offloaded into distribution systems.
– Distribution lines: smaller pipeline systems that bring gas from large transmission lines to end-use customers, most often owned by local distribution companies (LDCs). This gas can be used for thermal purposes (space heating, cooking, water heating, thermal industrial processes), electric generation (running gas-fired electric generation turbines), or for compression into compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG) for transportation or industrial uses.
(From the PHMSA: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration)
— Compressor Stations
— Metering & Regulation (M&R) Stations
— Pigging Facilities