Pipeline Close-Up
Pipeline Installation Photographs
The following image is a close-up of a pipeline in Eastern Ohio that was being installed in the early fall of 2017.
You can see the welded section (red), the remainder of the pipe (green), and the markings done by welding inspectors. In this instance you can see the word ‘repair’ along with some specific references to dates and inspector numbers. On my client’s properties with high pressure FERC pipelines, I require that 100% of the welds be x-rayed in advance. This is a good illustration as to why I require this. Had this weld not been inspected, the pipeline would have certainly blown out during the water pressure test. Generally, FERC pipelines are tested with water at 110% in excess of design capacity pressure prior to flowing natural gas through the pipeline. While fresh water certainly wouldn’t harm your property from an environmental standpoint, it could definitely cause damage to nearby trees, crops and structures. I have heard of a bad weld causing a barn to blow down entirely during a water pressure test. This is one of the innumerable things to watch out for during contract negotiations.
Let’s look at another picture:
In this picture, notice the nice distance between the spoil pile and the nearby trees. Dumping excessive dirt on top of tree roots can cause rampant tree death on your property. Finally, you’ll also note the some rocks below the pipeline. Just a quick note to say that I highly recommend a rock sifting and removal clause.
In general, this pipeline company did a fairly good job with installation. Reclamation is yet to come.