Infrastructure Challenges
Eric T. Belle
Manager, Field Engineering
Columbia Gas of Kentucky
Columbia Gas of Ohio
Governor's Conference on Energy and The Environment
October 8, 2014
Presentation Talking Points
• Define Columbia’s natural gas distribution infrastructure
• Discuss the challenges with natural gas infrastructure
• Describe Columbia’s plan to address natural gas infrastructure
• Detail Columbia’s progress with replacing its aging infrastructure
• Questions
Columbia’s Distribution Infrastructure
• Columbia operates 2,564 miles of distribution gas mainlines• These distribution gas mainlines have various characteristics:
– Vintage*– Material type*– Diameter– Pipe Wall Thickness– Pipe Wall Coating– Operating Pressure
• Distribution gas mainlines play critical role in providing safe, reliable service to approximately 140,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Columbia’s service areas.
2013 Calendar Year Annual DOT Report
Underground Network of Integrated Mainlines
Columbia’s Distribution Infrastructure
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301.5 309.9
520.0
224.7
377.9
829.8
2013 Vintage Chart
Pre 19501950-19591960-19691970-19791980-1989Post 2000
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Columbia’s Distribution Infrastructure
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423.3
823.5
18.3
1293.5
2013 Material Chart
Bare SteelCoated ProtectedCast/Wrought IronPlasticOtherM
iles
Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Challenges
• Columbia monitors and evaluates the condition of its aging infrastructure
• Defined “priority pipe” as bare steel and cast/wrought iron
• Priority pipe has a greater probability to leak due to accelerated corrosion
• Cast iron distribution mainlines have the greater probability to leak at bell joints due to earth movement or ground disturbance
• 44% of distribution mainlines were installed prior to 1969
• 17% of distribution mainlines are bare steel or cast/wrought iron
Aging infrastructure
Increased Operation and Maintenance Activity
Columbia’s Grade 2 Leaks
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 20130
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600
0
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Non-Hazardous Leaks
Priority Pipe (miles) Grade 2 Leaks Found
Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Challenges
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 20130
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0.00
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0.80CKY Main Leak Incident Rates
Priority Pipe (miles) Leaks per Total Main Corrosion Leaks per Bare Steel
Columbia’s Infrastructure Plans
• In 2008, Columbia began its accelerated main replacement program
• Program targets the replacement of priority pipe, ineffectively coated steel, service lines, and associated appurtenances
• 30 year program to replace approximately 520 miles
• Total program cost estimated at $210 million dollars
• Supports goal of providing safe reliable service
Accelerated Main Replacement Program
Evaluation and Prioritization
Columbia’s Infrastructure Replacement Progress
• Columbia retired approximately 83 miles of bare steel and cast/wrought iron pipe and related appurtenances
• Columbia spent approximately $61 million dollars on its accelerated infrastructure replacement program
• Columbia continues its effort to work with municipalities to replace bare steel and cast/wrought iron infrastructure in conjunction municipal improvement projects
• Minimizes additional construction which impacts roadway and public sentiment
2008 - 2013 Status Report
Sustained Execution Excellence
Questions