Southern California Gas (SoCalGas) has tested a new system to capture natural gas emptied from a recently abandoned natural gas pipeline during work in Atascadero, California, US.
The methane capture technique was tested as part of the company’s pipeline safety enhancement plan (PSEP) and eliminates noise and emissions that occur in the traditional venting process.
By identifying various high-pressure pipeline sections throughout the company’s system, SoCalGas’ PSEP programme schedules them to be pressure-tested or replaced.
It also includes provisions to upgrade, replace or retrofit mainline valves in the system with technology that allows system operators to open or close them remotely from a central control location.
In total, the company captured about 108,000ft³ of natural gas.
Last month, a two-and-half-mile section of pipeline was decommissioned and recently replaced by a new pipeline in a new location.
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By GlobalDataAs part of the work, the pipe was completely emptied and most of it was compressed.
SoCalGas PSEP senior director Rick Phillips said: "Capturing the methane that we would traditionally vent to atmosphere not only reduces noise or smells neighbours might notice, but also minimises impacts to the environment.
“We will continue testing this new innovation in hopes of expanding its use for whenever its application may be suitable."
The company plans to spend approximately $1.2bn this year for improvements to distribution, transmission and storage systems and for pipeline safety.
