NAPA COUNTY, CA — Starting in May and continuing through June, Pacific Gas and Electric Company is conducting an internal inspection of its natural gas pipeline between Napa and Yountville.
The inspections support the ongoing safe and reliable delivery of natural gas in the Napa area, and PG&E does not expect any disruption to natural gas service for customers while the work is conducted, PG&E Spokesperson Megan McFarland told Patch.
PG&E is using In-Line-Inspection —ILI— technology for the inspection process. An innovative tool known as a Pipeline Inspection Gauge —PIG — travels through the pipeline looking for potential issues that can occur over time, such as dents and corrosion. This is a preferred inspection method because it does not require any digging and minimizes impacts on traffic, McFarland said.
Before an inspection begins, temporary devices are installed to maintain the flow of gas, which propel the tool through the pipeline. These devices also help reduce gas emissions and the risk of unplanned interruptions to customers’ gas service.
Starting in late May and continuing through June 2023, PG&E will be in the area conducting these safety inspections. During this time, customers may observe crews, trucks and other equipment while work is staged and conducted.
“We expect work will take place from the early morning hours through the early evening hours,” McFarland said.
Tall Metal Devices Temporarily Stored Near Calistoga, Yountville
As part of this safety project, PG&E will temporarily stage equipment at Dunaweal Lane and Highway 29 near Calistoga and along Highway 29 south of Yount Mill Road near Yountville. The two sites will be used to operate enclosed combustion devices —ECDs— which consume natural gas to help generate additional gas flow in the pipeline.
The devices look like tall metal barrels that are 25-35 feet tall and 8 feet wide. The ECDs were expected to arrive Wednesday, May 24, and will be removed once the inspections are completed, McFarland said.
The devices will likely operate from early in the morning until late in the afternoon; a glow at the top of the devices may be visible, McFarland said. This is due to the process used to support the inspection tool.
“Since 2011, PG&E has been rigorously inspecting, replacing, and modernizing pipelines to proactively ensure the safety and reliability of its gas system,” McFarland said. “Some of the newer technologies applied to the gas system include remote-control and automatic shut-off valves that can stop the flow of gas faster in an emergency and highly sensitive methane detection sensors that can track microscopic emissions.”
Read More: PG&E Pipeline Inspection Underway From Napa To Yountville