Tag: Pipelines

WVU to Study Energy Pipeline Safety with U.S. Funding

West Virginia University will research new ideas and technologies to improve the safety of pipelines used to transport energy resources.

The research will be supported by a $100,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s pipeline and hazardous materials safety administration.

The research comes as energy companies propose hundreds of miles of pipelines in Virginia and West Virginia, and elsewhere, to deliver natural gas drilled from Marcellus shale deposits.

The funding was announced by U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito.

Company, State Investigate Marshall County Pipeline Ruptures

Williams Energy and state regulators are investigating two natural gas pipeline ruptures that occurred within hours of each other in Marshall County.

Williams spokesman Helen Humphreys tells The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register that the company believes heavy rains were a contributing factor. She says the rains might have destabilized soils.

A 4-inch pipeline ruptured northeast of Glen Dale shortly before 8 p.m. Thursday. Around 10:50 p.m. Thursday, a 12-inch pipeline ruptured along U.S. 250 in the Bane Lane area.

Humphreys says the pipelines were carrying condensate, a mix of petroleum products found in natural gas. She says the company will mitigate any possible environmental effects.

The company and the Department of Environmental Protection were working to determine how much condensate spilled into Little Grave Creek from the 4-inch pipeline.

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