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Natural gas is moved through a pipeline under pressure. As
natural gas moves through a pipeline it loses pressure due
to friction against the inside of the pipe. To keep the natural
gas moving at the desired rate, the pressure must be increased.
This is accomplished with compressor stations located along
a pipeline.
Initially, four compressor stations will be built as part
of the proposed Mackenzie Gas Project. They will be located
near Little Chicago, Norman Wells, Blackwater River and Trail
River. Compressor stations also include cooling and/or refrigeration
equipment, as needed, to control the temperature of the natural
gas.
All facilities will meet applicable Canadian environmental
standards, including those for noise.
Click
here to view the Compressor Stations Information Sheet
(2.2 MB PDF)
Click to view a larger version
Trout River Heater Station
As natural gas flows through a pipeline it gets colder. The
natural gas must be heated to keep it within the operating
temperature range.
A heater station will be located near Trout River, about
95 kilometres north of the Alberta border. The heater will
use some of the natural gas flowing through the pipeline to
heat the rest of the natural gas.
Construction of the heater station will require clearing
approximately 10 acres (four hectares). The station will be
located in a fenced area of about three acres (1.2 hectares).
Click to view a larger version
Interconnect Facility
The natural gas pipeline will connect with an existing pipeline
system in northwestern Alberta.
An interconnect facility will be installed at the southern
end of the Mackenzie natural gas pipeline, in northwestern
Alberta. It will have two primary purposes.
- To measure the amount of natural gas being transferred
to another pipeline system custody transfer.
- To reduce the pressure and possibly increase the temperature
of the natural gas in the pipeline.
Joint studies are under way to define the facilities. Facility
requirements being studied include:
- A pig receiver
- Temperature control
- Pressure control
- Metering
- System isolation
Downstream Connections
When natural gas from the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline joins
the Alberta pipeline system, it will connect with a vast system
of natural has pipelines built across North America. At the
end of these large pipeline systems are smaller local pipelines.
Distribution companies use these smaller lines to deliver
natural gas to customers. Customers can include residental,
commercial and industrial users.
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