News

NOx Project Limits Baja Path Capacity in August 2009

Thursday, December 04, 2008

In September 2007, the San Joaquin Valley Air District adopted changes to Rule 4703 which have a direct effect on the emissions allowed at Kettleman compressor station, which consists of three parallel, gas-driven centrifugal compressors: K1, K2, and K3. The amended rule calls for the nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission limit to be dropped from 25 ppm NOx to 8 ppm NOx with the following compliance deadlines:

  • 01/01/2010, 25% of units in compliance
  • 01/01/2011, 62.5% of units in compliance
  • 01/01/2012, 100% of units in compliance

In order to meet the NOx emission requirements per the above deadlines, Pacific Gas and Electric Company's California Gas Transmission conducted a thorough evaluation of options and alternatives to ensure that PG&E can meet the emission compliance schedule requirements and at the same time, meet gas flow demands.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company's California Gas Transmission will install a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system at Kettleman compressor station. SCR is one of the Environmental Protection Agency's Best Achievable Control Technology (BACT) for NOx reduction in turbine operations. The turbine's exhaust gas is passed through the SCR system that uses a catalyst and ammonia to react with the NOx to create nitrogen and water, thus, reducing NOx release into the atmosphere.

SCR is a proven industry standard utilized at many facilities throughout the nation. However the installation of the SCR requires the shutdown of each unit for an extended period of time while the exhaust systems are modified. PG&E believes scheduling the outages during the summer months will have the least impact on our customers and the market.

Anticipated Outage Dates

The anticipated outage dates for the Kettleman NOx work and estimated Baja Path capacity will be as follows:



 Unit  Date  Capacity MMcf/d (Baja Path)
 1  August 3 - September 14, 2009  860
 2  June 7 - July 18, 2010  860
 3  July 19 - August 29, 2010  860

This maintenance will be completed as soon as practicable to minimize inconvenience to customers. As maintenance schedules are subject to change, please stay tuned to Pipe Ranger or join the e-mail subscription service, Pipe Ranger E-XPRESS, for new details as maintenance schedule approaches.

Please contact your CGT Account Services Representative if you have any questions.

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