Lesson 6: Understanding Pipeline Regulation, Construction and Land Impacts

Overview

Surging natural gas production throughout the United States, as a result of unconventional well development, has ushered in a wave of pipeline development projects designed to increase delivery capacity from areas of production to market. As a result, many communities throughout the country are experiencing a significant level of natural gas pipeline development. In this lesson you will learn about the role pipelines play in transporting natural gas to market along with the various considerations related to pipeline construction and operation, including:

  • Pipeline Basics
  • Pipeline Construction and Related Pipeline Infrastructure
  • Rights-of-way and Easement Agreements
  • Pipeline Safety

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

  • Appreciate the societal benefits and costs associated with pipeline development.
  • Recognize the various steps involved in pipeline construction.
  • Understand the concept of pipeline easements and basic terminology associated with easement agreements.
  • Discuss issues related to pipeline safety and the leading causes of pipeline failures.

Lesson Roadmap

Lesson Roadmap
To Read
To Do

Questions?

If you have questions, or need further references you may contact Penn State hydrogeologist Dave Yoxtheimer, at the Earth & Environmental Systems Institute. His email address is day122@psu.edu.