Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. has announced that it has been selected by Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) to provide project management services for the Pipeline Safety Enhancement Program.
The contract value is as of yet undisclosed however officials noted that it is a five-year contract with a provision for five one-year extensions. Phase 1A of the Pipeline Safety Enhancement Program consists of pressure testing approximately 360 miles of existing pipelines; replacing approximately 246 miles of the 3,750 mile pipeline system; and upgrading or replacing 173 mainline valves. SoCalGas is awaiting approval of the Pipeline Safety Enhancement Program from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), which is expected in mid-2013. The scope of the pipeline testing and replacement plan is subject to change by the CPUC.
In alignment with SoCalGas’ ongoing focus on safety as a top priority, the Pipeline Safety Enhancement Program was developed to comply with state regulations that require natural gas transmission pipeline operators to submit plans for replacing or pressure testing all natural gas transmission pipelines that have not been pressure tested.
In making the announcement, Jacobs Executive Vice President Gary Mandel stated, “We are pleased to be selected by SoCalGas to manage this important program in southern California. With our corporate headquarters located in Pasadena, many Jacobs employees are SoCalGas customers, and we are committed to leveraging our capabilities to support SoCalGas in their mission to deliver safe and reliable natural gas.”
