Project

Pipeline Expansion Project

PROJECT

Pipeline Expansion Project

LOCATION

Northeastern Pennsylvania

Background

A $143 million pipeline expansion project in northeastern Pennsylvania will allow the company to transport up to 135,000 dekatherms per day of additional firm natural gas capacity on its pipeline system. The pipeline expansion project will include installation of approximately 13 miles of 36-inch pipeline loop and associated facilities including a launcher, receiver, crossover valves, mainline valve with bypass and suction, and discharge connections at an existing compressor station.

Challenges

The pipeline loop crosses the Lackawaxen River in northeastern Pennsylvania, a state which is highly focused on protecting their natural resources. The design had to meet the challenges presented by the river, and also receive approval from the state. The ENTRUST Solutions Group team worked alongside a number of federal and state agencies who were involved with the approval and oversight of the project, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) to develop a solution for this challenging environment.

Solutions

ENTRUST Solutions Group engineered, designed, drafted, procured, and created the necessary documents to install an 8.2 mile loop west of an existing compressor station, and a 4.71 mile loop east of the same compressor station. The new loop will tie into two existing pipelines on both sides of the compressor station. A mainline valve with a bypass and suction and discharge connections will be installed in the compressor station yard to allow compression by existing units. Working closely with the client, surveyor, and environmental firm, the ENTRUST Solutions Group team developed the necessary drawings for the pipeline loop crossing the Lackawaxen River. To meet federal, state, and local requirements, a more conservative crossing method – a dry open cut with a coffer dam – was required. By installing a coffer dam, the design team created a dry spot for construction. ENTRUST prepared a detailed analysis, including the advantages and disadvantages of the different crossing methods and demonstrated that a dry open cut, utilizing a coffer dam, was the most practical and preferred choice.

In addition, the team developed a detailed project schedule to ensure all parties were working towards the same goals for the FERC submittal date. The ENTRUST team collaborated with the ROW/land personnel to develop drawings to aid in negotiations with landowners impacted by the construction. ENTRUST also assisted the client with the procurement process by preparing purchase requisitions and Requests for Quotations (RFQ) segregated by category, to enable the client to submit requests for quotation in an orderly format.

Despite the challenges, the ENTRUST team successfully met deadlines for FERC submissions and bid drawings for potential contractors.

The new design and installation of the 13-mile pipeline expansion required approval from a number of federal and state agencies.

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