Re: Pipeline Question

Posted by Hal/WA on January 27, 2007 at 20:41:45 from (66.45.175.118):

In Reply to: Pipeline Question posted by jmh on January 27, 2007 at 10:32:08:

About 12 or13 years ago, the area utility ran a high pressure gas line down our road, to add to the natural gas supply for the South side of Spokane and the suburban area. The line is about 6 inches in diameter, made of heavy steel, with welded joints. We were told that the line might carry as much as about 800 lbs of pressure. It runs down one side of the gravel road and is buried about 4 feet below the surface.

Our road has a number of houses on it, and about half of the homeowners wanted to hook up to the natural gas from the new pipeling. Initially, this was done with a bunch of small regulator stations that handle 1 or 2 houses each. But this required that the high pressure line be tapped many times, which they decided wasn't the best idea. So a couple of years later, they dug up the road again and put in a second line, this one made of somewhat flexible plastic. Then they again dug up the small regulator stations and hooked the piping to the new line. The new line is about 3 feet deep and is fed by one much larger regulator station. If I remember right, the new, much lower pressure line is right over the high pressure line.

When the company was first installing the high pressure line, I had suggested to them that they install a low pressure line in the same ditch, to avoid the expense of excavating twice. They said that they couldn't do that because the contract had already been agreed to, but they thought it was a great idea in an area that was being developed in acreages. I was later told that in future contracts, they would consider adding the second line.

Some of the neighbors were fairly concerned about the high pressure line being so close, since if it broke or leaked, the volume of gas it could release could produce a terrific fire. Well, nothing bad has ever happened, and vehicles drive over the pipeline all the time. I would be concerned if I saw an unauthorized person digging with a backhoe in the area where the pipeline is, but other than that, I think it is pretty safe, protected by 4 feet of dirt and roadbed.

If I was confronted with the FACT that a pipeline was going to cross my land (since I really probably would have no choice in the matter, due to eminent domain!), I would try to have them locate the line in such a way that it would be where I could build a road for future development. I also would negotiate the right to build that road, or even that the pipeline company build a decent gravel road over it. If I was planning to develop the ground for housing fairly soon, I also would suggest that they bury a low pressure line in the same ditch, and plan to sell you and your future buyers natural gas on a retail basis.

About 50 years ago, a huge natural gas pipeline that sends gas from Canada to California went through our area, a couple of miles from my place. Some time later, they again dug things up, and put in 2 more pipes parallel to the original one. These are about 3 feet in diameter, and I have never heard what the pressure they have is, but the volume must be fantastic. For the most part these pipes are under farmland, and aside from the times the company was installing the pipelines, the farmland has remained in production. They must have done a good job when they replaced the topsoil, because I can't see much difference in the crops over the pipelines compared to a couple hundred feet on either side. But I think that the pipeline is quite a bit deeper than 3 feet. And the farmers know where the pipelines are. It doesn't seem to be any problem to them at all.

I never heard what the landowners were paid for the large pipelines to pass under their land. I am guessing that it wasn't a huge amount, since the arrangements were done so long ago. But I bet they got some more money when the area was reexcavated for the additional pipes. And probably for the crop loss that year. After that, since the pipelines don't seem to be any trouble, it would seem that it would just be gravy to the landowner.

I hope your experience with the pipeline is as good as my neighbors have had. And I hope you can work a deal to your advantage, if you plan on developing your property. Good luck!

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