US Natural Gas Transmission Lines

From the well, the natural gas goes into "gathering" lines, which, like the branches of a tree, get larger as they get closer to a central collection point.

Gas then moves into the transmission system --the "interstate highway" system for natural gas. About 150,000 miles of high-strength steel pipe, ranging from 20 inches to 42 inches in diameter, move huge amounts of natural gas thousands of miles from producing regions to local natural gas utilities.

Large diameter transmission pipeline in pipe yard prior to construction	Welders join lengths of pipe during construction	Transmission pipe being lowered into trench

 

Compressor stations are located about every 70 miles along each pipeline to boost the pressure that is lost through the friction of natural gas moving at about 15 miles per hour through the pipes.

Compressor Station	Turbine Compressor	Reciprocating Compressor

When transmission pipelines bring gas to utilities, the fuel normally passes through a "gate station." Gate stations reduce the pressure in the line from transmission levels, which usually are from 200 to 1,500 pounds per square inch, to distribution levels that generally range from 1 pound to 200 pounds per square inch. This also is where meters measure how much gas is being received by the utility, and where additional odorant is added to help customers smell even small quantities of natural gas.