Above Ground Facilities and Structures

Landowners contemplating Pipeline Easements must know whether their Pipeline Right-of-Way Agreements permit the installation of potentially permanent above ground facilities such as Gas Valves, Pig Launchers, Pig Catchers or Receivers, Metering Stations and Compressor Stations.

Pipeline lawyers must understand the workings and impact of potential above ground pipeline facilities to educate and properly represent their right-of-way Landowner clients.   

Attorney Douglas Clark has personally inspected ongoing pipeline installation projects and above ground structures that may impact his client's land.  Doug educates his clients on the function and appearance of these facilities on their land.

Doug fights to eliminate surface facilities upon the landowner's request.  However, if above ground structures are necessary within the right-of-way we require location restrictions, additional financial compensation and separate written contracts.  

The following are examples and explanations of above ground surface structures that may remain on the landowner's property for generations:

Gas Valves - appear periodically above ground along a pipeline right-of-way.  These above ground gas valves allow the company the ability to turn on or off the gas flowing along the pipeline.  By shutting of the gas valve, the company stops the flow of natural gas to a specific area of the pipeline.  This is typically done for pipeline maintenance in a particular section of the line.  The experienced pipeline lawyer will eliminate the allowance of gas valves from the Pipeline Easement and require a separate written document with additional compensation, protections and location restrictions.

Scraper Pigs, Scrubber Pigs and Smart Pigs - are pipeline maintenance devices used to inspect pipelines and remove and collect residue from the pipeline wall without stopping the natural gas flowing through the pipeline.  These "Pigs" are placed into the pipeline at service junctions and are propelled to the next service junction where the device is removed and cleaned.  Different types of "Pigs" use different techniques to clean sediment and debris from inside the pipeline.  Smart "Pigs" will actually use techniques to inspect the pipeline in it's travels.  

Pig Launchers - are periodic above ground structures on the pipeline easement where the "Pigs" are inserted. The "Pig Launcher" is loaded and shut and the natural gas pressure in the pipeline is used to push the "pig" along the pipe until it reaches the receiving trap, or receiver, or "Pig Catcher."  The experienced pipeline lawyer will eliminate the allowance of "Pig Launchers" from the Pipeline Easement and require a separate written document with additional compensation, protections and location restrictions.

Pig Catchers or Receivers - are the periodic above ground sections of the pipeline that catch or receive the "Pigs." The experienced pipeline lawyer will eliminate the allowance of "Pig Catchers" or Receivers from the Pipeline Easement and require a separate written document with additional compensation, protections and location restrictions.

Metering Stations - are also above ground facilities along the pipeline.  Metering stations compress the natural gas and push the gas through the pipelines.  Metering stations also measure the flow of gas through the pipeline.  The experienced pipeline lawyer will eliminate the allowance of metering stations from the Pipeline Easement and require a separate written document with additional compensation, protections and location restrictions.

Compressor Stations - are extremely significant above ground facilities that run almost continuously.  Most landowners absolutely do not want Compressor Stations on their property.  Compressor stations are required periodically along the pipeline to ensure the natural gas traveling through the pipeline remains highly pressurized. The Compressor Station uses a turbine, motor, or engine to compress the gas.  Compressor stations are large, loud and unattractive facilities that absolutely should be prohibited and, if appropriate, negotiated under separate agreements with substantial financial compensation.