EPCOR plans routine gas pipeline testing near Spring Cypress road and state highway 249

EPCOR will be performing routine pipeline inspections on a 15.35-mile stretch of natural gas pipeline in Tomball the week of April 19-26, with above-ground work taking place near the intersection of Spring Cypress Road and the State Highway 249.

The Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) requires all natural gas utilities to perform inspections of their pipeline assets on a seven-year interval. For this project, EPCOR will use an in-line inspection (ILI) of the pipeline that begins at 37825 Spur 149 Rd, Magnolia, TX and ends at a site behind the Kohl's department store at 22529 Tomball Parkway, Houston, TX.

Testing will take place during the week of April 19-26 between 7 am and 7 pm.

As part of the safety measures during the process, EPCOR will be flaring gas where the project ends, at an existing EPCOR facility located behind Kohl's. Residents within a 1-mile radius may notice flaring gas up to 100 feet tall, and EPCOR expects temporary noise disturbances in the immediate vicinity. The work will not impact natural gas service or other utilities in the project area.

There will also be trucks and equipment at the project's starting point and ground crews will track the movement of the tool along the right-of-way until it reaches the end point, also known as a receiver station.

EPCOR is doing the work using industry best practices for operations and safety. The test site will be tightly controlled and monitored at all times, and a perimeter of 100 feet around the station behind the Kohl's store will be cordoned off.

EPCOR Director of Operations David Billinger said, "This project is part of EPCOR's ongoing work to keep our natural gas infrastructure in top condition for our customers and the public. Our thanks to residents and businesses in the neighborhood for your patience while we get it done safely and as quickly as possible."

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