PG&E reaches major milestone replacing pipe

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) today announced it completed its system-wide replacement of all known cast iron pipeline ahead of self-imposed 2014 year-end goal. The company replaced the older lines with stronger, more efficient and seismically sound pipelines throughout its 70 000 m² service area.

“This is another important milestone as we work toward our goal of building the safest, most reliable gas system in the nation. Our gas team, led by industry veterans Nick Stavropoulos and Jesus Soto, has made incredible progress in transforming our system. We have more work to do, and we won’t rest until it’s done, and done right,” said PG&E President Chris Johns.

Throughout this project, PG&E employees replaced 847 miles of cast iron pipeline – more than enough to stretch from San Francisco to Seattle.

“Removing all the cast iron from our distribution system is a cornerstone of building a 21^st century gas system to serve our customers for the long term. As we continue to modernise our infrastructure, we’re using the latest gas-safety technology and best-in-class procedures so that our customers can count on us for safe, reliable and affordable service,” said Stavropoulos, PG&E executive vice president, Gas Operations.

Stavropoulos announced this end of 2014 completion goal while at a White House conference on climate change and energy policy last July. In order to meet this commitment, Stavropoulos stressed the importance of building a skilled workforce. PG&E has continued to hire industry leaders in every part of its gas operations to reach its goal of transforming its gas system.

“It took single-minded determination by our crews, engineers and support teams throughout PG&E to complete this project within the ambitious timeline. I am extremely proud of everyone who had a hand in making this happen safely and on schedule,” Stavropoulos said.

PG&E has implemented one of the most comprehensive gas pipeline modernisation programs in the nation and has been recognised for its efforts as it earned two prestigious international safety-focused asset management certifications for its gas operations. PG&E is one of the first utilities in the world to hold both the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 55001: 2014 and Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 55-1: 2008 certifications. The certifications were awarded by the independent, internationally recognised auditor, Lloyd's Register, in 2014.

The company said it replaced the last segment of known cast iron pipeline in late December 2014.

Adapted from press release by Hannah Priestley-Eaton

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/project-news/21012015/pge-reaches-major-milestone-replacing-pipe/