10-23-2002 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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03:00 ^G6,12 fi:33 53( 'rJPL NRO ili!002 /0I In the event of a leak or break, all of the Williams lines are monitored and controlled 24 hours a day by a central operations control group in Tulsa, Oklahoma This is done on a continual basis 24 hours a day via a satellite system known as SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition). SCADA receives updated information on pressures, temperature, flow rates and other important information every 5 seconds. Parameter alarms are set to warn immediately of any changes in operating conditions. Based upon the way the system gathers and monitors information, an upset line condition can be detected, the line shun down, valves closed; flow stopped, and pressure relieved within 2 to 5 minutes. In the area of Little Canada the nearest automatic valves would be located within the Minneapolis terminal in Roseville, and the terminals in Newport and Rosemount. Williams also has manual valves that would be closed in the event of a release located at our Milepost 253, which is at Highway 61 and another in the Minneapolis terminal. To insure the safe operation of the pipeline, Williams performs, for example, periodic internal inspections of its pipelines (lcnown as "Smart Pigs ") and uses the data gathered to identify areas that would need maintenance. We also utilize a process called "Cathodic protection" to control corrosion of the pipeline, along with regularly scheduled aerial patrols of the right of way to detect problems. Placing berms within the easement area would offer little to control a potential leak for the simple reason that the pipelines are located underground and in the event of a release, the product would more than likely remain in the ground. This is not a concept that Williams would be amenable to endorse. I hope this has answered your questions and will be helpful to you in your upcoming meeting. Sincerely, Donald Jensen Real Estate Services Cc: Office of Pipeline Safety Dayspring Development