To the Times:
If you could easily transform a piece of furniture into something new and more useful, that would be exciting, wouldn’t it? Giving new life to the things we already own is resourceful and rewarding. We should hold the same attitude toward repurposing existing energy infrastructure, but some are hesitant.
Reusing existing pipelines is a creative technique the oil and gas industry has employed to keep pace with the growing consumer demand in a post shale-boom economy. The infrastructure shortage is creating a bottleneck between the production fields and the marketplace and pipe repurposing is becoming more common and necessary. Between 1997 and 2014, 22 pipelines were either converted or reversed. In just the last three years alone, between 2014 and 2017, a total of 23 pipelines were repurposed. The trend will likely continue as we shoot to overcome our infrastructure deficit.
When an energy company wants to repurpose existing infrastructure, the process is treated with all the safety considerations of a brand new construction project. Often, integrity management experts ensure safety and a plan for mitigation. Specialists can perform extensive hydro-testing to examine how the pipe holds up at different pressure levels. New inline inspection technologies are now able to pinpoint metal loss as well as dents, cracks, and stresses. This advanced software thoroughly analyzes any defects that need repair and helps operators make more informed decisions to avoid accidents. Further, conversion or reversal of an existing pipeline requires approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, just like a new pipeline proposal.
The original Longhorn Pipeline System, for example, was built to move crude oil from Crane to Baytown, Texas, in 1949 and 1950. In 1998, it was converted to ship refined products like gasoline from Houston. The construction company far exceeded safety requirements to mitigate risk. Again in 2001, they reversed the flow of the pipeline. Their plan included a list of 40 mitigation commitments regarding how they would manage risk and maintain pipeline integrity. A more recent pipeline conversion was successfully completed right here in Pennsylvania. An 84-mile pipe carrying petroleum was converted to bring natural gas from Bucks County to Marcus Hook—a project similar to Sunoco’s proposed upgrade.
The Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) outlines best practices for pipeline reversals and upgrades. Their guidance details specific conditions in which a conversion or reversal would not be advised. They also offer recommendations on public communication, suggesting pipeline companies, “provide project specific information and be responsive to the concerns of potentially affected persons.” Sunoco has voiced its commitment to following PHMSA’s guidance, to even go above and beyond federal safety requirements, and to thoroughly address any safety concerns the local community raises.
Our nation is currently facing a pipeline shortage: we’re not building energy infrastructure fast enough to keep pace with consumer demand. Upgrading and repurposing existing pipes to help fix this problem has huge benefits for national security and the U.S. economy, and means more affordable energy for all Americans.
The process for upgrading pipelines has proven to be a trustworthy one that will breathe new life into our economy. Utilizing our existing infrastructure in the most valuable way possible is a worthy goal Pennsylvanians should support.
Kurt Knaus, Pa. Alliance for Energy