(P&GJ) - When natural gas pipeline owners announce their preferred route for a new pipeline, permitting bodies and other stakeholders inevitably ask, "Why here?" By conducting a methodical routing study that produces data-driven and experience-tested route alternatives, owners obtain supporting data and documentation they can use to formulate a response and help obtain buy-in. In an uncomplicated world, the criteria for selecting the route for a new natural gas pipeline would be simple. Pipeline companies would choose the route that requires the shortest distance of pipeline and can be constructed for the least possible cost. The real world is complicated, however, and such routes are increasingly difficult to find. Environmental and geological considerations, landowner reluctance, permitting issues, and a host of other factors add complexity to route selection decisions. A formal routing study, performed early in the project life cycle, brings clarity to the search for the optimal route and can be helpful in obtaining stakeholder buy-in before design and construction begin. These studies serve other purposes as well. First, these studies help forestall claims of routing bias by communicating the process used to select a route and creating opportunities for landowners, public officials and other interested parties to provide early input on options. This feedback can be helpful when securing approval from state permitting agencies, which may require a public participation process and an analysis comparing the preferred route with one or more alternatives. Routing studies also provide the supporting data needed to obtain rights-of-way and easements, gain property access, purchase options on land acquisition or defend condemnations. Project engineers responsible for preliminary engineering and design value them because they set project boundaries, which help define the scope of their work.
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