Total Cost Management: A Case Study in Missed Opportunity

摘要

Williams Northwest Pipeline, NWP, operates an interstate natural gas pipeline system consisting of approximately 4000 miles (6440 km) of trunk line and 42 compressor stations. NWP has access to gas supplies in the Four Comers area and Canadian gas coming across the US border at Sumas, Washington. In 2004, with increased drilling in the Four Comers area including the Piceance Basin, NWP experienced growing demand to move gas through the south end of its system. To move these increased gas volumes required restarting the idled and unmanned vernal Compressor station. This station had been essentially idle for approximately 20 years. The first attempt at starting up the station resulted in failure. With extensive use of district operations personnel, me station was started and kept running.