American Gas - July 2011 - (Page 21)

Natural gas utilities face numerous challenges in maintaining the integrity of their systems, but they’re not facing them alone. Innovations spurred by the need to maintain the public’s confidence in the nation’s natural gas delivery system and comply with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s regulatory requirements—the transmission integrity management rule instituted in December 2003 and the distribution integrity rule due to be implemented in August—are helping gas utilities maintain their enviable reputation for safety. Research and development efforts carried out by industry organizations have already produced advances in smart pigging technology, robotics, indirect inspection and record mapping, and there’s much more to come. “In today’s regulatory climate, it is more important than ever for natural gas utilities to work collaboratively to identify new tools, methodologies and technologies that can either improve the accuracy of integrity inspections or reduce the costs associated with implementing an integrity management program,” says Andrew Lu, AGA managing director, operations and engineering. “AGA encourages companies to support R&D efforts by funding and actively participating in research initiatives being completed by the Gas Technology Institute (GTI), NYSEARCH, the Pipeline Research Council International (PRCI) and other organizations,” he says. “New technologies can help operators work more efficiently in complying with both integrity management regulations,” Lu continues. “In addition, they can help operators have a better understanding of the condition of their pipelines.” In the following stories, American Gas looks at some of the most promising transmission and distribution integrity management developments reported by two major gas R&D organizations. inteGrity Fuels innovAtion R&D initiatives are under way to create ever-better ways to maintain natural gas systems and meet or exceed distribution and transmission integrity management requirements. By s. Lawrence Paulson AmericAn GAs july 2011 mAnAGement 21

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of American Gas - July 2011

American Gas - July 2011
Contents
President’s Message
In the Know
In the News
Safety First
Integrity Management Fuels Innovation
GTI: A Trifecta of Technology Approaches
NYSEARCH: Technology Equals Solutions
AGA 2011 Membership Directory
Places to Be
Noteworthies
Marketplace
Jobline
Advertisers’ Index
Facts on Gas

American Gas - July 2011