PIPELINE INFORMATION
Two separate short pipelines are planned to be built from the LNG Terminal to connection points with the existing Algonquin Gas Transmission Company pipelines in the area. The first is the Western Lateral Pipeline, the second is the Northern Lateral Pipeline. Both pipelines will use existing utility "corridors".
Western Lateral
The Western Lateral will be a 24-inch diameter steel natural gas pipeline that will begin at the LNG Terminal and run west under the Taunton River (for approximately 2,200 feet) to Somerset, on the north side of the Montaup Electric plant. The pipeline would run on the south side of Annette Avenue up to Riverside Drive, turn south and run down Riverside Avenue for about 600 feet; then turn west and run through Somerset Power/National Grid property to County Street (Rte 138).
The pipeline would cross County Street on the north side of the existing power line right-of-way (ROW). The current plan is to run within Clifford M. Holland Road to Prospect Street. The pipeline would then turn and run south, down Prospect Street to the power line ROW. The pipeline would leave Prospect Street heading west and run along the northern edge of the existing power line ROW, crossing into the Town of Swansea after about 700 feet.
In Swansea, the pipeline would stay along the edge of the power line ROW, looping back into Somerset, before crossing Brayton Avenue in Somerset; running adjacent to and within the power line ROW for about 1,500 feet, then crossing Hot & Cold Lane in Somerset.
The pipeline would continue west for about 300 feet, turn north back into the Town of Swansea, running along the existing power line ROW for about 1,500 feet, and then turn west again, leaving the power line, and head towards the existing Algonquin Gas Transmission Company ROW (about 1,850 feet) to a proposed Meter Station and interconnection with Algonquin Gas.
The length of the Western Lateral is approximately 2.55 miles. The following table summarizes the distribution of mileage:
Table – 1-1 Western Lateral Pipeline
| Description | Mileage/Footage | Percent of Total |
| Within or adjacent to existing power line corridors | 2.03 miles (10,740 feet) |
80% |
| Within or crossing existing roads | 0.2 miles (980 feet) |
7% |
| Cross-country (new ROW) | 0.32 miles (1,690-feet) |
13% |
| Total mileage | 2.55 miles (13,464 feet) |
100% |
Northern Lateral Pipeline
The Northern Lateral will also be a 24-inch diameter steel natural gas pipeline. The Northern Lateral will run north, mostly within or adjacent to an existing Shell Oil Company pipeline and road Right-of-Way ("ROW") in Fall River and Freetown. The Northern Lateral would replace one of the existing Shell Oil pipelines, which will be removed. Both existing Shell lines (6-inch and 20–inch diameter) run parallel to the existing CSX railroad.
At the north end of the lateral, the new pipeline would tie into an existing Algonquin Gas Transmission Company pipeline in Freetown. This location is the former site of the Algonquin Synthetic Gas plant that operated during the 1970s and 1980s. The existing Algonquin pipeline presently feeds two local gas companies.
The length of the Northern Lateral is approximately 3.54 miles, most of which would follow the existing Shell pipeline. See the following table for the approximate distribution of mileage:
Table - 2-1 Northern Lateral Pipeline
| Description | Mileage /Footage | Percent of Total |
| Within or adjacent to existing pipeline corridors | 3.54 miles (18,678 feet) | 99% |
| * Within or crossing existing roads or railroads | 0.05 miles (243 feet) | * 1% |
| Cross-country (new ROW) | 0 | 0% |
| Total mileage | 3.54 miles (18,678 feet) | 100% |
| *Note: The proposed pipeline would remain along or within existing pipeline ROW as it crosses each road. Total is not more than 100% | ||
Depth of cover over both pipelines will be three feet, except when crossing the Taunton River, railroad, or roads and utilities. For those crossings, the depth of cover will be greater. Both pipelines will be designed according to the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Pipeline Safety Regulations (49 CFR Part 192).
Both pipelines are scheduled for construction in the summer of 2008. There will be a construction workforce of approximately 150 to build both pipelines and associated gas metering facilities. Specialized inspection teams will oversee all pipeline construction, environmental permit compliance and testing. All construction workers will undergo environmental training before working on any location of the pipelines.
Gas pipelines have been demonstrated to be the safest form of energy transportation. See the USDOT website for safety statistics at ops.dot.gov
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulates interstate gas pipelines. See the FERC website at www.ferc.gov for information related to the FERC approval process, as well as information related to individual projects. Our project docket number is cp04-36.
Now that a FERC Certificate has issued, we are seeking other approvals and reviews. The following steps are being taken:
- Prepare construction documents that include the conditions of the FERC certificate and environmental permits.
- Employ trained inspection and supervision personnel to oversee pipeline construction and ensure compliance with permits, requirements and specifications.
- Conduct Environmental Training of construction personnel for environmental compliance and quality assurance.
- Acquire land rights (easements) for the pipeline ROW from landowners through a negotiation process, or if the landowner will not negotiate reasonably, easement rights will be obtained through the use of eminent domain.
- Contract with specialized pipeline construction firms.
- Purchase pipe, valves, etc.
- Delineate the construction ROW.
- Delineate archaeological protected areas.
- Clear the ROW of trees and obstructions, and grade as necessary.
- Excavate a trench for the pipeline.
- String the pipe and bend the pipe where required.
- Weld, X-ray and coat the pipeline welds with cathodic protective materials.
- Install pipeline into ditch.
- Install Cathodic Protection and Electrical Mitigation systems where required.
- Concurrent to the above activities, separate construction crews will be installing pipe at road crossings, major rivers and the above ground facilities at the beginning and end of the pipeline laterals.
Work will also be taking place concurrently at the connection between the pipelines and the Algonquin transmission lines:
- Pig Launchers and Receivers – equipment used to inspect the pipelines for damage during their lifetime
- Meter and Regulator Stations – to measure and control the natural gas as it enters the transmission lines
- Backfill pipeline and cleanup the ROW.
- Re-grade, seed, and restore the ROW.
- Ensure that all permit requirements have been met.
- Complete an "as-built" survey of the entire pipeline systems, install pipeline markers.
- Commission the pipeline.
Click here to download "The Making of a Pipeline" as a PDF.