While system design standards used in countries and regions differ,
there is still wide overlap of the fundamental guidelines between them.
The major criteria considered in the system design of
natural gas transportation and
distribution systems includes pressure and temperature ratings,
gas specifications, gas velocity,
pipelines sizing, and stress analysis.
The natural gas transmission system in the US is no different.
Compression stations design also follows these engineering guidelines,
and natural gas distribution system design is also similar.
The Colorado Springs System illustrates a typical design of
a natural gas distribution system and its relationship with various kinds of customers.
Notice that the city gate separates
the distribution system from the gas transmission pipeline,
while the natural gas distribution system looks simple,
it serves thousands of customers.
As an example, the Colorado Springs utility
requires 196,635 meters,
2,530 miles of gas mains,
and 2,809 service lines to serve its customers.
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration issued
operator qualification regulations that have enhanced training pipeline operators.
The regulation doesn't detail the training,
but requires pipeline operators to document that
certain employees have been trained to respond
to have normal operating conditions that may occur.
The Gas Technology Institute provides
numerous field training modules that pipeline operators can use to train their employees,
since it complies with the Pipeline and
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration regulations.
These training modules cover construction,
corrosion control, pipeline installation, pipe joining,
pipeline operations as well as maintenance,
gas control, pressure regulation, and emergency preparedness.