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NaturalnGasnTransmissionnPipelines
Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines
nn Pipelines function as energy highways, and are integral to providing energy for our homes, natural
gas to serve industry, and a fuel source to generate electricity.
nn Pipelines are the safest and most efficient means of transporting natural gas from producing fields
to processing facilities, and from producing areas to end-use consumers via local distribution
companies.
nn Safety and environmental performance go hand-in-hand. Canada boasts an outstanding pipeline
system to transport and deliver natural gas to customers throughout the continent.
nn The single biggest threat to pipeline safety involves the unauthorized digging or activity along
pipeline right of ways.
1
Pipeline infrastructure exists to bring gas to market and ensure the free flow of gas throughout
the continent. Natural gas is generally delivered directly to the consumer by pipeline. However, it
begins that journey with gas wells connected to small-diameter (five centimetres to 15 centimetres)
gathering systems that take the raw, unprocessed gas to a gas processing facility. Gas processing
facilities, usually referred to as gas plants, vary in size from small compression facilities that are
mounted on moveable platforms and that remove impurities and water from the gas, to large gas
plants that also remove hydrocarbon byproducts, sulphur and carbon dioxide. The “dry gas” (i.e. gas
with little or no condensate or reservoir liquids) may then be compressed prior to its moving into the
transmission system comprised of steel pipe from 50 centimetres (20 inches) to more than a metre
(39.4 inches) in diameter. Finally, the processed “sales” gas is distributed to homes and businesses
through pipe which ranges in size from 1 ¼” to 4” in diameter.
Gas flows through the system from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure through the use
of compressors and turbines similar to jet engines that increase the pressure of the gas up to 10,300
kilopascals (1,500 pounds per square inch). Compressed at up to 100 times the pressure of the
atmosphere, natural gas moves up to 40 kilometres per hour, which is approximately the speed of an
2
Olympic runner. Most long distance major transmission lines generally operate in the range of 800-
1500 psi.
Compressor stations are placed at regular intervals along the pipeline to increase line pressure, which
declines as it travels due to friction generated by the movement of the gas as it passes through the
pipe. Transmission line compressors are most often driven by gas turbines with the necessary fuel
being taken from the pipeline. Where electricity is preferable, electric motors may be used to drive
compressors.
Transmission systems move the gas across great distances to local distribution companies or gas
utilities, where the pressure is reduced and the gas enters a distribution mainline for local delivery to
service lines connected to individual homes or businesses.
3 3
Where Pipelines are
Located
4
Warning signs, as regulated by the National Energy Board (NEB)
and various provincial regulatory bodies, are placed on each side
of highway, road, railway or watercourse crossings and at suitable
intervals along the pipeline to clearly and continuously mark the
pipeline’s location through urban areas and along the right-of-ways
of roads or highways.
Importance of reliability
The provision of natural gas is critical to meeting North America’s needs for energy to heat homes
and businesses, to generate electricity, power manufacturing plants, fuel transportation, and as a raw
material for a range of products. Customers rely on our industry to provide safe and uninterrupted
transportation of natural gas and to do that, our industry ensures facilities and equipment are properly
maintained and monitored. It is a responsibility that pipeline companies take very seriously.
To balance supply and demand, several natural gas companies operate storage facilities in depleted
oil and gas fields and underground salt caverns. The largest storage facilities are located in central and
eastern Alberta and southwestern Ontario.
5
robust natural gas marketplace
which helps keep prices
competitive.
operate
100%
4% and 3%
maintain these
3%
represent the most efficient and
4%
60% 60%
and ongoing maintenance, a 50% 62% 60%
Hydro
Safeguarding the
Environment
Our industry understands that
good safety and environmental
performance go hand-in-hand.
Canadians enjoy an outstanding
pipeline system to transport
energy to markets throughout
North America in the safest
and most environmentally
EnPower/Spectra Energy Waste Heat Recovery facility, Savona, BC
sound manner. We are
energy efficiency, reducing pipeline. Compressors are
world leaders in providing
emissions, safeguarding the driven by gas-fired turbines,
safe, reliable long distance
environment and enhancing similar to jet engines, and
energy transportation and are
safety. One example of such produce considerable heat.
developing infrastructure to
technology is waste heat Waste heat recovery technology
provide a source of cleaner-
recovery. Transporting gas uses the heat generated from
burning energy to meet North
through pipelines over long these compressor stations to
America’s needs.
distances requires the use of generate clean energy.
compressor stations placed Pristine Power Inc. and
The industry is employing new
at regular intervals along the ENMAX Green Power uses
technology aimed at improving
the waste heat produced by
two compressor stations
along Spectra Energy’s main
transmission pipeline in British
Columbia, to produce 10 MW
of electricity -- enough energy
to power 10,000 homes a year.
These projects will also offset
greenhouse gas emissions by
approximately 25,000 tonnes
a year, equivalent to removing
9,000 cars from our roads.
9
Serving the Public
Interest
Regulatory oversight has helped
ensure that infrastructure is
developed commensurate
with need, and that natural gas
finds a pathway to market. As
a result, pipeline infrastructure
has been developed in a
manner that is intended to
serve the public good.
10
Building for the Future – Issues and Opportunities
Meeting North America’s future energy needs is driving significant new investments in transmission
pipeline infrastructure in Canada. Timely investment in, and construction of pipeline and storage
infrastructure to connect these new supplies to markets will be critical to ensure that North America
has adequate supplies of natural gas when and where it’s needed.
Pipeline economics are a function of various construction costs including (the type of pipe/cost of
steel, length of pipeline, diameter of pipe, the environment and terrain) but are also influenced by a
number of other factors including the regulatory environment and approval timelines.
Over the years, the natural gas industry in Canada has demonstrated its interest in the responsible
development of infrastructure to meet the public interest. Our industry remains committed to doing
its part to meet North America’s energy needs in the future.
Canadian Natural Gas is a made-in-Canada advocacy project sponsored by the following associations:
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©n2010nCanadiannNaturalnGas.