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Warm breezes in April may have caused golfers across the Northeast to dust off their clubs after the long winter, but teeing up at the 14th hole of the Turning Stone Casino’s Shenandoah Golf Club in Verona, N.Y., could have proven dangerous if National Grid hadn’t been inspecting gas main piping in that area.

“As part of our pipeline integrity program, we were conducting direct assessment of the gas mains at the casino this spring,” explained Kevin Conklin, Gas engineer. “Using a combination of above grade survey methods we identified two areas of damage on a 140-foot section of pipeline 15.”

Once the survey information confirmed possible problems, targeted excavation and direct inspection of the pipe revealed mechanical damage that resulted from the installation of a drainage pipe during the golf course’s construction.

The 16-inch gas main that operates at about 473 pounds per square inch (psi) had two areas of concern, including one 25-foot long area with multiple dents and gouges and another area with several dents in the longitudinal seam of the pipe. According to New York State Gas Safety Code, damage to the longitudinal seam requires the pipe to be replaced.

“This particular gas main is a major feed into the city of Rome,” said Conklin. “While doing the repair, we had to keep the gas flowing to prevent interruptions to our customers.”

To accomplish this, the team needed to utilize an 8-inch diameter bypass pipe capable of handling 400 pounds of pressure to keep gas flowing to customers further down the line.

“Anytime we install a bypass it adds an extra level of complexity to the job,” said Conklin.

“But we’re not just worried about our safety on the job,” added Rob Dunn, Gas mechanic/welder. “We needed to ensure that all work being done to replace the pipe was handled correctly. This included pressure testing the new pipe to one and a half times its operating pressure, measuring and charting the exact location of all welds so we would know where they are if future repairs are necessary and x-raying the welds to ensure a clean fit.”

Not only did the team need to worry about the safety and integrity of the work, but the job needed to be completed within 10 days to meet the golf course’s scheduled spring opening.

“We worked very closely with the customer,” explained Conklin. “We coordinated our access points to the 14th hole and were careful to minimize damage to other areas of the golf course. And, we worked diligently to meet their schedule. We wanted to do what was best for both parties. As one of the first major gas repairs detected using the direct assessment method, I think our success on this project is validation to our pipeline integrity management program. The above ground surveying is working.”