Gas utilities across the country continue investing in the modernization of aging infrastructure. For some operators, that includes replacing higher-risk materials, upgrading systems and completing larger volumes of work within increasingly complex capital programs.
The word “accelerated” can make pipeline replacement sound like a matter of simply completing more construction in less time. In practice, successful acceleration starts much earlier.
Increasing the pace of replacement requires utilities to coordinate priorities, engineering, data, permitting, procurement, construction and field resources across an entire program. Without that broader view, increasing project volume can create new bottlenecks rather than eliminate them.
One of the first questions in any replacement program is where to begin.
Pipeline age and material are important considerations, but they are only part of the picture. Operators also have to consider system condition, operating history, integrity information, consequence, project dependencies and other factors that influence risk.
PHMSA’s Distribution Integrity Management Program framework emphasizes understanding system characteristics, identifying threats, evaluating and ranking risk, and using that information to guide measures that reduce risk. This makes reliable system information and thoughtful prioritization especially important as utilities develop long-term replacement strategies.
A risk-based approach can help utilities move beyond simply replacing the oldest assets first and instead focus resources on projects that best support safety, reliability and system performance.
Once priorities are established, the next challenge is execution.
Accelerated replacement programs often involve many projects moving through engineering, permitting, procurement and construction at the same time. As volume increases, consistency becomes increasingly important.
Clear design standards, repeatable workflows, accurate asset information and coordinated project controls can help utilities move work through the pipeline more efficiently. Program-level planning also gives teams greater visibility into schedules, resource needs, material requirements and potential constraints before they begin affecting construction.
ENTRUST supports gas utilities across the replacement lifecycle, including program development, engineering and design, GIS and data solutions, permitting, procurement support, field services, construction management and project management. Bringing those disciplines together can help utilities create a more coordinated approach rather than managing each replacement project in isolation.
Pipeline replacement also creates an opportunity to think more broadly about the future of the system.
As assets are replaced, utilities may be able to improve system data, address capacity needs, modernize related facilities, update operating information and incorporate lessons that can strengthen future projects. Capturing accurate field and as-built information during replacement can also improve the quality of the system record that supports future integrity and investment decisions.
As part of Leidos, ENTRUST’s gas utility experience can be paired with broader engineering, technology and infrastructure capabilities to support these increasingly complex programs from planning through execution.
Accelerating replacement ultimately means more than completing pipe installations faster. It means building a coordinated program that identifies the right work, removes barriers to execution and creates a stronger foundation for the system moving forward.
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