FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION FIELD INSPECTION REPORT

Transcription

1 FIELD INSPECTION REPORT Date August 4, 2016 Project Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, L.L.C./Sabine Pass Liquefaction, L.L.C. & Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. Gulf Trace Expansion Project Cameron, Calcasieu, Beauregard, Evangeline, and East Feliciana Parishes, Louisiana Docket No.: CP Authority: Section 7(c) Personnel FERC Contractor: FERC Contractor Staff: Company Staff: Tetra Tech, Inc. Cary Cheek Randy Flowers (Environmental Specialist V), Trey Feuge (Lead Environmental Inspector), and Scott Lasher (Lead Environmental Inspector) Inspection Summary 0 Problem Areas 1 Noncompliance Yes No Follow-Up Letter Required Refer to Enforcement Introduction On August 4, 2016, Cary Cheek of NewEarth Ecological, subcontractor to Tetra Tech, performed a construction and restoration inspection of the Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, L.L.C./Sabine Pass Liquefaction, L.L.C. & Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. (Transco) Gulf Trace Expansion Project (Project), under contract to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) and per the request of the FERC Project Manager, Keith Rodgers. The Project is intended to provide 1.2 million dekatherms per day (MMdth/day) of firm transportation capacity from Transco s Station 65 to the existing Sabine Pass Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal (SPLNG Terminal). The Project consists of the following: construction of approximately 7.0 miles of concrete-coated, 36-inch-diameter pipeline (Gulf Trace Lateral), within a new permanent 50-foot-wide right-of-way (ROW), and extending from the tie-in with Transco s existing Newhi (NHI) Lateral pipelines C and D at the Milepost (MP) 6.8 valve site to the SPLNG Terminal in southern Cameron Parish, Louisiana;

2 construction of a new compressor station (CS 42), including two Mars-100 turbine-driven centrifugal compressors (each rated at 16,000-horsepower [hp]). The 32,000-hp CS will allow for southward flow of up to 1.2 MMdth/day of capacity on Transco s existing SWLA Lateral associated facilities will include a unit control building, a station maintenance/control building, an emergency electrical power generator, an office building, three bays of cooling, and ancillary equipment; modifications to the existing CS 44 in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, upgraded with the addition of two Mars-100S turbine-driven compressors (each rated at 16,000-hp), four bays of cooling and auxiliary equipment, an elevated platform, and new suction/discharge piping; modifications to the existing CS 45 in Beauregard Parish, CS 50 in Evangeline Parish, and CS 60 in East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, allowing for bidirectional gas flow on Transco s mainline and facilitating southward flow of up to 1.2 MMdth/day new piping and headers, as well as intermediate connecting lines and valves used to block/redirect flow, will also be installed; construction of two new meter stations (MSs) the SPLNG MS and the Duralde MS. The new SPLNG MS, to be installed at the terminus of the Gulf Trace Lateral at MP 6.97 and adjacent to the SPLNG Terminal in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, will include a trap, an area for temporary strainers, a meter skid, a flow-control skid, a condensate tank, measurement buildings, a raised platform, and ancillary equipment. The new Duralde MS, to be installed near the Transco mainline pipelines and adjacent to the existing Texas Gas Transmission, L.L.C. (Texas Gas) MS in Evangeline Parish, Louisiana, will include a filter/separator skid, a meter skid, a flowcontrol skid, a condensate tank, measurement buildings, and ancillary equipment; modifications to piping, valves, pig 1 launchers/receivers, and appurtenant facilities at tie-ins to the Gulf Trace Lateral. At the NHI MP 6.8 valve site, the eastern sections of the existing NHI Lateral pipelines C and D will be tied-into the Gulf Trace Lateral to accommodate westward gas flow for the Project, from CS 44 to the SPLNG Terminal. The segments of the NHI Laterals C and D, west of the NHI MP 6.8 valve site, will be tied-into the existing NHI Lateral B to allow for continued natural gas transport eastward to CS 44; and installation of a new pig launcher at MP 0.0 on the Gulf Trace Lateral, two new pig receivers for the western segment of the NHI Laterals C and D and at the Gulf Trace Lateral MP 0.0 trap site, two additional pig receivers for the eastern segment of the NHI Laterals at the NHI MP 6.8 valve site, and one pig receiver at the end of the Gulf Trace Lateral inside the SPLNG MS. The anticipated in-service date for the Project is January 1, The purpose of the inspection was to determine Transco s compliance with the environmental conditions of the Commission s January 20, 2016 Order for the Project and to inspect the construction conditions of the pipeline ROW and facilities. The findings of the inspection were that one instance of noncompliance was identified. A site map and photographic record are presented in this report. 1 A pig is a tool that moves through the pipeline, and is used for cleaning, internal inspections, or other purposes. Launchers/receivers are aboveground structures where pigs are inserted into and retrieved from the pipeline.

3 Inspection On August 4, 2016, weather conditions were cloudy, with temperatures ranging from 81 F to 94 F in nearby Johnson Bayou, Louisiana. The Project area received approximately 2.9 inches of rain during the two weeks preceding the inspection. Soil conditions were stable. This inspection covered active construction within the CS 44 site (Photo Numbers [Nos.] 1 to 4) and active construction along the Gulf Trace Lateral (Photo Nos. 5 to 10). CS 44 CS 44 is approximately 5 miles west of Johnson Bayou, Louisiana, in Cameron Parish. The site has one wetland adjacent to the workspace where the two elevated compressors were being installed. At the time of the inspection, the topsoil was segregated from the site, and crews had completed the installation of the concrete pier supports for the two compressor units (Photo No. 1). Erosion control devices (ECDs) and secondary containment structures were installed properly around the site, and signage was installed appropriately throughout the site (Photo Nos. 1 to 3). Environmental crews were installing silt fence between the wetland and upland boundaries along the construction site to prevent the mixing of wetland and upland soils (Photo No. 4). The topsoil storage site was stable, and protective silt fence was installed and properly maintained. Transco stated that construction will begin on the 36-inch-diameter lateral suction/discharge piping starting the week after the inspection. Crews had installed geotextile fabric and equipment mats along the travel lane running east and west through Wetland WT30014 to prevent damage from heavy equipment and vehicle travel during construction (Photo No. 4). Crews were pre-fabricating the piping for the 36-inch-diameter lateral pipeline using protective blanketing during welding, sandblasting, and coating activities to prevent foreign material from entering the wetland. Overall, construction at the CS 44 site was progressing acceptably, with no instances of noncompliance or problem areas identified. Gulf Trace Lateral Transco reported that construction of the Gulf Trace Lateral began on March 7, The ROW is east of Cheniere s Sabine Pass LNG Terminal in southern Cameron Parish, Louisiana. At the time of the inspection, all clearing, trenching, mainline welding, pipeline push/pull installation, and float removal activities were complete. Backfilling and restoration activities were just beginning (Photo Nos. 7 and 8). The mainline pipeline floated to the top of the flooded trench during backfilling operations along several sections of the newly installed concrete-coated mainline piping. Crews were side-digging to remove sediment that flowed under the pipe this had caused the pipe depth to be shallower than designed. Transco delayed backfilling operations and filled the mainline pipe with water to prevent further floatation issues (Photo No. 6). Silt fence and turbidity curtains continue to be used to complete the protective measures at road crossings and along the northern edge of the ROW. Low-ground-pressure amphibious excavators continue to be used throughout the ROW to limit damage to the wetlands and waterbody crossings (Photo No. 7). All equipment parked overnight in Wetland WT10001 and WT10002 in non-inundated areas were properly housed within secondary containment. All pumps and support equipment (i.e., light plants, pumps) were housed within or have built-in secondary containment. However, a noncompliance was identified, because the contractor tracked equipment off the ROW near MP 1.2 within Wetland WT10001 during restoration activities (Photo No.9). In response, Transco stated that a survey crew will survey and re-stake the ROW limits to assure the contractor remains within the approved area of disturbance. Crews continued to work at the NHI valve site at the western end of the ROW. Activities included the fabrication of concrete forms for support of the lateral tie-in, installation and maintenance of well points to remove subsurface water,

4 interconnecting piping and pig launchers, and additional preparations for hydrostatic testing (Photo No. 10). Crews were installing concrete support pilings for the elevated SPLNG MS site (Photo No. 5). Conclusions and Recommendations A follow-up letter is required at this time, because one instance of noncompliance was identified. The contractor tracked equipment off the ROW during restoration activities (Photo No.9). No problem areas were identified, and construction along the Gulf Trace Lateral and at the CS 44 site was progressing acceptably. Another construction inspection is scheduled for the week of August 29, 2016.

5 SITE MAP

6 PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD Company: Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, L.L.C./ Sabine Pass Liquefaction, L.L.C. & Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. Docket No.: CP Project: Gulf Trace Expansion Facility: CS 44 Photo No.: 1 MP/Sta. No.: NA Direction: West Comments: Open ROW, CS 44, Wetland WT Signage and perimeter silt fence were properly installed and maintained around the site. ECDs were properly installed and maintained at the wetland boundary. No environmental issues were noted. Photo No.: 2 MP/Sta. No.: NA Direction: West Comments: Open ROW, CS 44. Perimeter ECDs were properly installed and maintained, and support equipment was properly housed within secondary containment. No environmental issues were identified.

7 PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD Company: Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, L.L.C./ Sabine Pass Liquefaction, L.L.C. & Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. Docket No.: CP Project: Gulf Trace Expansion Facility: CS 44 Photo No.: 3 MP/Sta. No.: NA Direction: Northwest Comments: Open ROW, CS 44. Crews were preparing to construct a slurry pit for materials that will be discharged from hydro-vac activities. A liner and wooden berms will be installed along with secondary silt fencing along the perimeter of the pit site. Geotextile fabric and equipment mats will be installed from the access road to the pit site to protect the soil from rutting. No environmental concerns were noted. Photo No.: 4 MP/Sta. No.: NA Direction: East Comments: Open ROW, CS 44, Wetland WT ECDs were installed along the backside of the mainline pipeline pre-fabrication area to protect the wetland. Geotextile fabric and equipment mats were installed along the east/west travel lane to prevent damage to the wetland during construction activities. No environmental issues were observed.

8 PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD Company: Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, L.L.C./ Sabine Pass Liquefaction, L.L.C. & Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. Project: Gulf Trace Expansion Docket No.: CP Spread: Gulf Trace lateral Photo No.: 5 MP/Sta. No.: 7.0 Direction: West Comments: Open ROW, Gulf Trace Lateral, SPLNG MS. Crews were installing concrete piling supports at the site of the new, elevated meter station. All support equipment was properly housed within or had builtin secondary containment. No environmental concerns were identified. Photo No.: 6 MP/Sta. No.: 7.0 Direction: East Comments: Open ROW, Gulf Trace Lateral, Wetland WT Environmental crews continued to maintain the reinforced and taller super silt fence to prevent siltladen water from exiting the ROW. Crews completed filling the concretecoated mainline piping to prevent further pipe flotation during backfilling activities. No off-row impacts or environmental issues were identified.

9 PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD Company: Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, L.L.C./ Sabine Pass Liquefaction, L.L.C. & Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. Project: Gulf Trace Expansion Docket No.: CP Spread: Gulf Trace lateral Photo No.: 7 MP/Sta. No.: 1.5 Direction: Southwest Comments: Open ROW, Gulf Trace Lateral, Wetland WT Rough clean-up crews were restoring the original contours and stabilizing the ROW. ECDs were removed from the edges of the ROW to allow tapering at the edges of the ROW. No off- ROW impacts or environmental issues were identified. Photo No.: 8 MP/Sta. No.: 1.2 Direction: East Comments: Open ROW, Gulf Trace Lateral, Wetland WT Tidal flows were returning to normal and water levels were dropping in the wetland. Restoration began at the eastern edge of the wetland and was moving west along the ROW. Crews had completed restoration of this section of the ROW. Environmental crews had removed all ECDs along the edge of the ROW. No environmental concerns were noted.

10 PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD Company: Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, L.L.C./ Sabine Pass Liquefaction, L.L.C. & Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. Project: Gulf Trace Expansion Docket No.: CP Spread: Gulf Trace lateral Photo No.: 9 MP/Sta. No.: 1.3 Direction: East Assessment: Noncompliance Comments: Open ROW, Gulf Trace Lateral, Wetland WT The contractor tracked equipment off the ROW for approximately 300 feet during restoration activities. Transco contacted survey to re-stake the ROW limits to assure the contractor stays within the approved limits of disturbance. Photo No.: 10 MP/Sta. No.: 0.0 Direction: East Comments: Open ROW, Gulf Trace Lateral. Crews had installed a test header on the mainline pipeline at the eastern terminus of the Gulf Trace Lateral. The pump had built-in secondary containment. Crews were continuing to fabricate interconnecting piping for the C and D lines. ECDs and security fencing continued to be maintained throughout the construction site. All construction activities were within approved workspace limits, and no environmental concerns were noted.

11 NOTIFICATION OF REQUIRED CORRECTIVE ACTION OR RESPONSE

12 Document Content(s) Transco-Sabine Pass Gulf Trace Exp. CP DOC