PG&E to Upgrade Natural Gas Pipeline Network

US-based Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is assessing its transmission pipeline system and considering an upgrade of several hundred gas valves in case of an accidental gas release.

PG&E vice-president of Gas Engineering & Operations Kirk Johnson said that in the wake of the San Bruno accident in California, and in close consultation with regulators, PG&E is working intensely to re-examine its transmission pipeline system and operational practices.

The firm provided the California Public Utilities Commission and the public with a set of updates on the current and future status of its natural gas transmission system.

“Today’s filing shows how much progress we have made in a short period of time, but also points to the significant work still ahead of us,” Johnson said.

PG&E is evaluating approximately 300 locations on its gas transmission system as the most suitable for replacing manually operated valves with automatically or remotely controlled valves, which permit faster shut-off of natural gas in an accident.