Distribution Optimized
Going the Extra Mile for the Final Mile
The downstream segment, extending from receipt point interconnects with production, gathering or transmission transportation pipelines to end-use customers, is the final mile of the industry. Whether you are a state-regulated local distribution utility or municipal operating company, EARTHRES’ team of engineers, designers, regulatory and permitting staff, and others stand ready to assist or lead your projects focused on new pipeline, pipeline replacements, receipt point (aka, “city gate”) stations, peaking supply facilities, operations optimization, and pipeline and facilities abandonment.
Whether you have facilities subject to jurisdiction by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the U.S. Department of Transportation – Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (US DOT – PHMSA), State Public Utility Commissions, or municipal governance, EARTHRES provides solutions that conform to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 190 through 199, State gas pipeline and utility safety regulation, and your standards, policies, and procedures. EARTHRES assists clients with consulting on a project’s front-end commercial development and evaluation, preparation of Applications and supporting documents for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, construction contractor bidding and selection, commissioning and start-up of new facilities, and post-construction testing and reporting.
EARTHRES’ staff of civil, mechanical, structural, and electrical engineers and technicians bring industry operating experience to your downstream project. We understand the business aspects of distribution operation and use our experience working across many upstream, midstream, and downstream operating companies to develop the very best solution for your needs. Unlike the upstream and midstream operating companies that typically place facilities in relatively remote areas, the downstream distribution operating companies operate in urban and suburban areas. The diversity of equipment and material encountered in the distribution operating companies, from cast iron pipelines installed in the early 1900s to current day HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene), necessitates that facilities be fully vetted with detailed planning, permitting, engineering, and design prior to construction to ensure on-spec operation and long life. EARTHRES has the experience and capacity to deliver these facility designs.
Above Ground and Below Grade Facility Design
In the downstream segment, EARTHRES engineers and designs both above ground and below grade facilities. These facilities include any of the following:
Pipeline
Whether your pipeline is functionally classified as Transmission or Distribution, EARTHRES can support all aspects of your project. From pipeline system network modeling to Alignment Sheet development to hydrostatic testing and commissioning, EARTHRES will deliver engineering and design services specific to your needs. These services may include:
- Conceptual Design – Many pipeline projects begin with planning and network analysis. EARTHRES can provide consulting and network analysis services for Transmission and Distribution pipeline systems. EARTHRES applies network analysis software tools such as GASWorkSTM, WinFlow, WinTran, and Synergi Gas. These tools allow rapid development of pipeline system hydraulic models including the receipt points, pipe, regulation, and delivery points.
- New Facility Permitting – Unlike many engineering and design firms, EARTHRES provides permitting services with internal staff. The permitting staff works hand-in-hand with the engineering and design staff to produce permit applications, eliminating the risk and potential delays associated with hand-offs to other permitting firms.
- Final Design – When the conceptual design advances to the appropriate point, EARTHRES’ civil and mechanical engineers will complete the final design work in accordance with CFR Part 192, ASME B31.8, and other applicable Codes and regulations to produce an Issued for Bid (IFB) Drawing Package. We use Autodesk® AutoCAD®2D or Autodesk® AutoCAD® Civil 3D to produce drawing sets for bidding. Once bids are received, changes are made to the IFB Drawing Package to produce the Issued for Construction (IFC) Drawing Package. Equipment and material typically specified, engineered, sized and designed includes:
- Steel Line Pipe, in accordance with American Petroleum Institute API 5L or other applicable specification
- Plastic Line Pipe, in accordance with American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) specifications
- Valve Settings
- Pig Launcher(s) and Receiver(s)
- Horizontal Directional Drilled (HDD) Sections
- Jack and Bore Sections
- Service Taps
- Corrosion Protection System(s)
Gas Cleaning and Peaking Supply Facilities
When gas moves from the midstream segment into the downstream segment, the gas should usually be cleaned prior to entering the Distribution pipeline system. If pipeline supply capacity is insufficient to meet demand, peaking supply facilities may be required. From process modeling to IFB and IFC Drawing Package development to hydrostatic testing and commissioning, EARTHRES will deliver engineering and design services specific to your needs. These services may include:
- Conceptual Design – EARTHRES delivers engineering solutions specific to gas cleaning and peaking supply facilities for Distribution pipeline systems. We apply software tools such as PROMaxTM, HYSYS, and vendor-specific proprietary modeling systems to select the correct equipment for your application. We can engineer, specify, and design a Propane-Air, SNG (Synthetic Natural Gas), or LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) facility that will provide peaking supply when it’s needed.
- Final Design – When the conceptual design advances to the appropriate point, EARTHRES’ civil, process, electrical, and mechanical engineers will complete the final design work in accordance with CFR Part 192, ASME B31.8, ASME B31.3, NFPA 58, NFPA 59, NFPA 59A, and other applicable Codes and regulations to produce an IFB Drawing Package. We typically use AutoCAD Plant 3D to produce a drawing set for bidding. Once bids are received, changes are made to the IFB Drawing Package to produce the IFC Drawing Package. Equipment and material typically specified, engineered, sized and designed includes –
- Filter/Separator(s)
- Propane-Air Plants (Propane/Air)
- SNG Plants (Propane/Butane/Air)
- LNG Plants
- Pipe, Valves, and Fittings
- Corrosion Protection System(s)
Compression
The need for compression is not as prevalent in the downstream segment as it is in the midstream segment. However, when compression is required the stations can be relatively complex facilities requiring a level of engineering and design expertise. EARTHRES has that expertise. From compressor unit modeling to station modeling, hydrostatic testing and commissioning, EARTHRES will deliver engineering and design services specific to your needs. These services may include:
- Conceptual Design – EARTHRES delivers engineering solutions specific to compression for Distribution pipeline systems. EARTHRES applies software tools such as GASWorkSTM, WinFlow, WinTran, Synergi Gas, Synergi Plant, and vendor-specific proprietary modeling systems to select the correct compression equipment for your application.
- Final Design – When the conceptual design advances to the appropriate point, EARTHRES’ civil, electrical, and mechanical engineers will complete the final design work in accordance with CFR Part 192, ASME B31.8, ASME B31.3, AGA XL1001, and other applicable Codes and regulations to produce an IFB Drawing Package. We typically use AutoCAD Plant 3D to produce a drawing set for bidding. Once bids are received, changes are made to the IFB Drawing Package to produce the IFC Drawing Package. Equipment and material typically specified, engineered, sized and designed include:
- Filter/Separator(s)
- Compressor(s) –
- Reciprocating
- Centrifugal
- Driver(s) –
- Natural Gas-Fueled Reciprocating Engine
- Natural Gas-Fueled Turbine
- Low-Speed Electric Motor
- High-Speed Electric Motor
- Foundation(s)
- Auxiliary System(s)
- Electrical Power and Motor Control System(s)
- Building(s)
- Pipe, Valves, and Fittings
- Tanks(s)
- Corrosion Protection System(s)
Measurement, Regulation, and Flow Control
Measurement, regulation, and flow control equipment is needed at various points along distribution pipeline systems, beginning with the “city gate” station where gas is delivered into the distribution system. Measurement and regulation (M&R) stations can be moderately complex facilities. Whether your requirement is a single 2-inch orifice meter for measurement of gas to an industrial site or a 200 MMSCFD ultrasonic meter on a Transmission pipeline, EARTHRES can support all aspects of your project. From M&R station flow modeling to hydrostatic testing and commissioning, EARTHRES will deliver engineering and design services specific to your needs. These services may include:
- Conceptual Design – EARTHRES delivers engineering solutions specific to measurement, regulation, and flow control for Distribution pipeline systems. EARTHRES applies software tools and industry Standards such as Pipeline Toolbox®, AGA Report No. 3, AGA Report No. 5, AGA Report No. 7, AGA Report No. 9, and vendor-specific proprietary modeling systems to size and select the correct measurement, regulation, and flow control equipment for your application.
- Final Design – When the conceptual design advances to the appropriate point, EARTHRES’ civil, electrical, and mechanical engineers will complete the final design work in accordance with CFR Part 192, ASME B31.8, ASME B31.3, AGA XL1001, and other applicable Codes and regulations to produce an IFB Drawing Package. We typically use Autodesk® AutoCAD® Plant 3D software to produce a drawing set for bidding. Once bids are received, changes are made to the IFB Drawing Package to produce the IFC Drawing Package. Equipment and material typically specified, engineered, sized and designed include:
- Filter/Separator(s)
- Line Heater(s)
- Meter(s) –
- Orifice
- Turbine
- Ultrasonic
- Rotary
- Diaphragm
- Regulator(s)
- Flow Controller(s)
- Automation
- Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System
- Gas Chromatography System
- Water and Hydrocarbon Dewpoint Measurement System(s)
- Odorant Injection System(s)
- Building(s)
- Pipe, Valves, and Fittings
- Tanks(s)
- Corrosion Protection System(s)
Operations Permitting
Should the compression, peaking supply, or other equipment produce exhaust or other emissions, EARTHRES has the resources to support the acquisition of permits to install and permits to operate the emissions-producing equipment. We use PROMaxTM and vendor-specific proprietary modeling systems as required by permit applications.
Downstream Construction Quality Assurance (CQA)
Once a downstream asset is under construction, EARTHRES can provide experienced construction inspection personnel to ensure the construction is completed in conformance with the IFC Drawing Package. Our CQA services may place one or more inspectors on-site full time at the beginning of construction, or they may be tailored to meet your company needs and requirements. Using EARTHRES to provide your CQA services ensures that a knowledgeable third-party is looking out for your interests at all times. EARTHRES CQA services are available to clients regardless of whether EARTHRES or another vendor developed the IFC Drawing Package.
Commissioning and Startup Services
Once a downstream asset is constructed, EARTHRES can provide experienced operations personnel to assist with or lead the commissioning and startup procedures. Our commissioning and startup services typically involve stationing an engineer or technician on-site full time at the beginning of commissioning but can be tailored to meet your company needs and requirements. Using EARTHRES to provide your commissioning and startup services ensures that a knowledgeable third-party is looking out for your interests at all times. EARTHRES commissioning and startup services are available to clients regardless of whether EARTHRES or another vendor developed the IFC Drawing Package.
Should you have an existing downstream facility for which you do not have adequate documentation, EARTHRES can generate an as-built drawing set. Our experts use the latest Laser Scanning equipment to produce an accurate three dimensional (3D) model of the above ground equipment, piping, structures, and other features. The 3D model can then be used to produce two dimensional (2D) plan and elevation drawings, and 3D isometric drawings. The produced drawings – either 2D, 3D, or both – can then be used to document the existing facility and serve as the backdrop for future additions, prepare safety analyses, meet permit requirements and a host of other applications.
