Compressor Stations

September 2015

Compressor stations compress natural gas,

increasing the pressure and providing the energy
needed to move the gas through the pipeline. The
pressure gradually diminishes due to distance,
friction and changes in elevation so the natural gas
needs to be compressed periodically as it
progresses through the system from the supply
source to the end user.
The size and number of compressor stations
needed depends on many factors including the
diameter of the pipeline, the volume of gas being
transported and the type of terrain being crossed.
The Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) proposes the
construction of new, natural gas-fired compressor
stations in three locations:
Lewis County, West Virginia
Buckingham County, Virginia
Northampton County, North Carolina

Design
Turbine compressors gain their energy by using up
a small portion of the natural gas that they
compress. The turbine itself serves to operate a
centrifugal compressor, which contains a type of fan
that compresses and pumps the natural gas through
the pipeline.
Reciprocating natural gas engines are also used to
power some compressor stations. These engines
resemble a very large automobile engine, and are
powered by natural gas from the pipeline. The
combustion of the natural gas powers pistons on the
outside of the engine, which serves to compress the
natural gas.
Compressor stations generally consist of
compressor units, scrubber/filters, cooling facilities,
emergency shut down systems, and on-site,
computerized flow control and dispatch systems,
which maintain operational integrity of the system.

Safety
A number of safety measures will be integrated into
the design and operation of ACP compressor
stations. These safety measures are in place to
protect the public, station employees, property and
the environment.

The compressor stations are equipped with automatic

emergency shutdown systems. The equipment can
be started or stopped from a pipeline's central control
room. The control center also can remotely operate
shut-off valves along the transmission system. The
operators of the system keep detailed operating data
on each compressor station, and continuously adjust
the mix of engines that are running to maximize
efficiency and safety.

Air & Noise

Numerous federal and state air quality rules and
permits may apply to each compressor station.
Dominion will identify the required permits and
regulations for each compressor station. The Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission will analyze the
impacts on local and regional air quality from
construction and operation for each compressor
station.
The noise attributable to a new compressor station,
compression added to an existing station, or any
modification, upgrade, or update of an existing
station, must not exceed a day-night average noise
level of 55 decibels at any pre-existing noisesensitive areas such as schools, hospitals or
residences. A noise level of 55 decibels is slightly
quieter than the sound level of an average
conversation.