Today polyethylene pipe (PE) is used in 90% of all gas line construction and is gaining acceptance in the water industry. An Oklahoma contractor with experience in both industries is pushing PE pipe installation to new limits with the help of a piece of equipment that lays coiled pipe. Utility Management and Construction Company (UMCCo) located in Ochelata, Oklahoma has been installing gas lines for over fifteen years and is now also gaining a reputation …
Edmonton, Alberta — The attitude in Alberta Canada is reminiscent of the turn of the century gold rush in Alaska. An oil boom has caused the commotion and the only problem seems to be that it takes more than a pickaxe and shovel to seek ones fortune. It is estimated that the province has five times more oil than Saudi Arabia. Until recently it has been too expensive to harvest much of this oil because …
The global demand for polyethylene pipe is dramatically increasing due to the superior properties of PE. The pipe’s resistance to reactive chemicals, gas, wastewater, and the flexibility to operate under internal or external pressures from a wide range of land and sea environments is far above materials previously used. In 1994 a pilot program by the Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) resulted in the savings of $2/foot using coiled 4″ PE pipe vs. …
Tapping into a gas line can be bothersome to local residents when their service is interrupted. Hot tapping is the process of adding pipe to an existing line without turning the flow off. The main concern with this method is safety. Protecting the environment is a priority along with the well being of crewmen during the operation. For polyethylene pipe, McElroy Manufacturing Inc. of Tulsa OK has answered both concerns with their tool, the Hot …