We all know natural gas is important because it improves our daily lives in a myriad of ways. Natural gas helps heat our homes, cook meals, produce our favorite products and generates more than one third of the nation’s electricity. Without natural gas, life would be vastly different.
Pipelines make these benefits possible. But a pipeline is more than just thick, high-grade steel in the ground. Compressor stations, located about every about 40-100 miles along the interstate transmission system, are the key to making a pipeline work. The compressors compress the natural gas and send it – at an average speed of about 10-20 mph – through the pipeline. Compressors stations allow gas to flow at a constant rate, making natural gas delivery efficient and reliable.
Interstate natural gas compressor stations are safe and well regulated. These compressor stations are engineered, constructed, operated and maintained in accordance with state and federal regulatory requirements. These requirements address such things as: need for the station (and pipeline), air emissions, noise levels, surface and groundwater protection, as well as fish, wildlife, and vegetation.
Compressor stations allow pipelines to work, so, like pipelines, they are one of the keys to our modern world.
Still curious? Learn more with our compressor station Q&A.
