Alliance Pipeline conceded yesterday that its commercial in-servicedate will have to be delayed for the third time, this time until theend of November, because of continued problems with debris in the pipeand trouble getting the enormously complex components of the systemworking in sync (see Daily GPI,Sept. 11; Oct. 23). The 1,900-mileproject originally was supposed to be in service Oct. 1.

“Normal commissioning activities are continuing and most of thedebris has been removed from the line,” says Alliance CEO NormGish. “However, periodic reductions in the flow of test gas due tothe debris have complicated the required integration withconcurrent commissioning activities at the Aux Sable LiquidProducts processing facility near Chicago.” A spokesman said thedebris included “bits of foam” that came off equipment used toextract moisture following hydrostatic testing.

The complexity of the Alliance Pipeline operations also has ledsome observers to predict a lengthy delay before commercialservice. The pipeline has an immensely complicated system patentedby Alliance engineers that is designed to transport gas liquids ina gas phase with the 1.325 Bcf/d of natural gas from BritishColumbia and northern Alberta through 1,900 miles of pipe to theAux Sable liquids extraction plant near Chicago. The pipeline alsoincorporates a cutting edge electronic control system designed toallow the pipeline to be operated by a single pilot in a downtownCalgary control room. Alliance operators say they are actuallyoperating three pipelines: a physical pipe, a paper pipe and ane-pipe, which brings all aspects of the operation together aroundthe clock 365 days a year. “It’s a tremendously complicated systemand all the parts are interdependent, for it to work, they all haveto work together.”

Regardless of the delay, however, Alliance already is flowing alarge amount of gas into the Chicago market. “At this point in ourcommissioning activities, the system is flowing at approximately 40to 50% of capacity. We expect to continue increasing the volume oftest gas and approaching our firm delivery capacity of 37.5 millioncubic meters (1.325 Bcf) per day prior to the end of November.”

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