Pipeline

Who is Chief Gathering?
Chief Gathering LLC is a subsidiary of Chief Oil & Gas LLC. Chief Gathering constructs and operates pipelines to deliver natural gas from wellheads to interstate and intrastate pipelines that ultimately redeliver to industrial end users and consumers.

Chief Gathering Services
Chief Gathering constructs and operates the pipeline gathering infrastructure to receive gas at the wellhead from Chief Oil & Gas as well as other third party producers in the areas where Chief Oil and Gas operates. These services include; gas measurement at the wellhead and redelivery meters, gas compression to boost the wellhead gas to pressures necessary to cause redelivery to downstream pipelines, gas dehydration to remove water vapor, and other facilities as necessary to condition the gas to meet downstream pipeline gas quality specifications.

The Pipeline Process
Once a wellhead location has been identified, Chief Gathering will evaluate and select a potential pipeline route taking into consideration avoidance of sensitive streams and wetlands, homes and structures, terrain and similar issues. Then Chief will begin the process of contacting landowners about potential routes across their property taking into consideration the landowners preferred routing, potential impact to crops and timber, and agreement of an acceptable fee for right of way and property damages.

After the route has been secured, it is surveyed and all local, state and federal permits are prepared and submitted to the appropriate agencies. Upon approval of permits, the construction process will begin. Pipeline right-of-way is cleared, compressor and meter sites are cleared and leveled and access roads to sites are constructed.

Trenches for the pipeline are excavated; pipe is strung along the route and welded together before lowering into the trenches and being buried. Compression and meter facility foundations for equipment and buildings are installed, equipment is set on the location and all pipeline interconnections, instrument and utility lines are completed. Prior to initial operation, all pipelines and equipment are pressure tested at pressures in excess of planned gas operation pressures to insure safety and integrity.

Once construction and testing are complete, all debris and heavy equipment are removed from the area. The pipeline right-of-way is seeded with native grasses to minimize erosion and create a wildlife friendly habitat.

Safety and protection of the environment are our top priorities! Equipment and safety devises are regularly inspected and tested. Corrosion protection is monitored and maintained to prevent deterioration of pipelines and any potential leaks that could develop otherwise. All pipelines and equipment incorporate fail safe devices to prevent accidents or equipment damage.