TPi November 2014

business & market news

PG&E accelerates natural gas repairs By the end of 2014, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) will have replaced all 2,243 miles of its cast iron gas distribution pipe – which can be prone to leaks – with new, modern materials. The company states that it will be one of the first utilities of comparable size and age to complete such an action.

performedusingabundledmethodology. This aggressive and proactive approach allows us to accelerate the repairs of even more minor, non-hazardous leaks that pose no threat to safety, but may contribute to global warming.” The company’s leak detection pro- gramme includes continuous surveys by foot, vehicle, air and water across a 70,000 square mile area in Central and Northern California. Since 2011, PG&E has replaced 107 miles of transmission pipeline. The programme is made possible by investments in the latest technologies, such as PG&E’s gas control centre, opened last year. The company was also the first utility in the country to test, pilot and deploy a car-mounted leak detection system claimed to be 1,000 times more sensitive than traditional equipment, providing the ability to identify leaks faster and more efficiently. The company is using enhanced pipeline inspection technology, such as camera- equipped robots, and giving employees training and skills to help prevent leaks. Pacific Gas and Electric Company – USA www.pge.com a world platform. This website will complement our conference activities by delivering the spoken and written word that reflects almost 45 years of expertise and experience.” The first conference was organised by the Plastics and Rubber Institute. PPCA was specifically founded in 2002 to organise and run the series of con- ferences and exhibitions on behalf of the international plastic pipe industry. Its member associations comprise the Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI), PE100+ Association, PVC4Pipes Association and the European Plastic Pipes and Fittings Association (TEPPFA).

The US company, which already ranks in the top 10 per cent nationally in maintaining a small number of minor leaks in its backlog, also committed to achieving a near-zero backlog by the end of the year. These efforts are part of its comprehensive programme to identify, fix and prevent natural gas leaks to enhance public safety, and will also advance the company’s ongoing commitment to protecting the environment and creating jobs. PG&E says that it has made significant progress in accelerating leak repair and prevention across its 80,000-mile natural gas system. By the end of 2013, its gas safety commitment led to a 99 per cent reduction of minor leaks – from 12,500 to only 150. Addressing minor leaks in their backlogs are common

challenges for utilities across the US, but by implementing an ‘all of the above’ approach to finding, fixing and preventing gas leaks, PG&E was able to make what it describes as industry- leading progress. “We are using all of the resources at our disposal to find and fix leaks on our gas system,” said Nick Stavropoulos, executive vice-president of PG&E’s gas operations. “We’re giving our crews state-of-the-art tools and technology and enhancing the way leak survey and repair work is PG&E’s ‘gas-sniffing’ vehicles are 1,000 times more sensitive than traditional equipment Photo credit: PRNewsFoto/Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Plastic pipes database online The Plastic Pipes Conference Association (PPCA) has a new website that will provide technical and commercial information for the plastic pipe industry. includes landmark reference projects, novel applications, installation meth- ods and design, environmental issues, technical standards and testing, new systems and prototyping, raw materials and additives, scientific advances, no-dig solutions, and manufacturing expertise, as well as industry and trade aspects.

The association has published an online database that contains all of its papers since the first 1970 conference in Southampton, UK. Over one thousand papers are included in what represents a major resource for the world of plastic pipe technology. The collection of pres- entations covers a wide spectrum of subject matter that ranges from highly technical aspects to valuable insights into the business forces that continue to drive the industry forward. It

AdolfSeidl,managingdirectorofSolvay in Austria and chairman of the PPCA, commented, “As an organisation, our members are dedicated to providing reliable and relevant information on plastic pipe systems. For obvious reasons, most plastic pipe systems are buried underground or at least kept out of sight. But this does not mean they are without a voice on

PPCA – UK www.plasticpipesconference.com

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