TPi January 2012

Drought highlights need for efficient water delivery In September 2011 it was reported that the state of Texas was suffering its worst drought in recorded history. Municipalities across the state were losing millions of dollars worth of one of the public’s most valuable resources: water. In the city of Houston alone, more than 700 breaches and breaks a day were being reported in the city’s municipal water system. The continued loss of water by municipal water delivery systems is causing lawmakers and city managers to re-examine the design of pipe systems and the pipe materials being used in those systems. The city of Houston is losing 57mn gallons a day to failed infrastructure. “Drought wreaks havoc on underground pipes,” said Steve Shur, executive director of the Alliance for PE Pipe. “When the ground dries up, the pipes torque, which leads to failure. It becomes a question of materials. Municipal leaders need to consider these factors when choosing what kind of pipes to use in their system.” High density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe is flexible and will not fail if the ground shifts or due to extreme drought conditions. It is strong, durable, flexible, corrosion free and chemical resistant. Mr Shur continued, “The average water loss for a municipal water system in the US is about 10%. In Texas, we know there are systems that lose over 40% of the water pumped. The solution for pipe breaks and water loss is available. The biggest hindrance to the solution being implemented is education and awareness. Many communities in Texas are using HDPE already. It’s just a matter of time before everyone realises that a flexible, durable, leak-free system is achievable with HDPE piping.” Parnon Gathering, Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Parnon Holdings, Inc, has announced the construction of a crude oil pipeline in Central Oklahoma. The project includes laying approximately 109 miles of new 8" pipeline from Cherokee, Oklahoma to Cushing, Oklahoma, and is designed to move 18,000 barrels of crude oil per day, with an option to increase to 35,000 barrels per day. The pipeline, to be named Great Salt Plains Pipeline, will transport production from Central and Western Oklahoma and interconnect with Parnon’s crude oil tanks located at Cushing. Oklahoma pipeline Alliance for PE Pipe – USA www.pepipe.org

Parnon Gathering, Inc – USA www.parnonholdings.com

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