The view from above

Google Maps has updated the aerial view of the Rome area again this year with an image that was taken sometime in September. This image shows the new pipeline activity in the neighborhood. Here's a view of our cabin property showing the access road to the valve assembly.



A view of the pipeline valves.



The prior Google Maps image, taken October 2011, showed me working on the lawn at the cabin, the new image shows my pickup truck being driven on the access road.

Pipeline Construction

With the regrading of the pipeline right-of-way nearing completion, some of the excavating equipment is being moved to the next location.

Pipeline Construction

The pipeline reclamation of the Wilmot Pipeline continued today with the seeding of the temporary access road on Richard and Hope Minyon's property. This access road was only used during pipeline construction.



The Wilmot Pipeline right-of-way was reseeded from our wetland crossing north to Jason and Mary Abell's.



Back at the Wesauking Pipeline where it crosses Joyce Road near our farm, two fawns were playing in the road.

Pipeline Construction

More pipeline reclamation activity on our property today. This crew is working on putting netting down in the wetland area near our cabin.



Back at the valve site, one crew works on placing crushed stone under the Wesauking Pipeline valve assembly as another crew (in background) works on finishing the reseeding of the last section of the Wesauking Pipeline right-of-way on our property.



Over at Jason and Mary Abell's, crews are busy regrading the contour of the Wilmot Pipeline route on the hillside.



A tracked vehicle is loaded with hay bales for mulch on the reseeded areas.



Oops! Structural failure in the stacking.

Pipeline Construction

At the wetland crossing next to our pond, an excavator uses a pipe to smooths out the topsoil.


With the topsoil graded the excavator works to remove the timber mats from the wetland crossing.



At the valve assembly site, an excavator operator works to install a culvert pipe for the access road.



Deer are grazing near the valve assembly while an excavator and dozer work on the access road less than a hundred yards away.



Another deer moves through the brush while a dozer works on the pipeline right-of-way.



At the end of the day, a young cottontail rabbit checks out the 24 inch "pig launcher"

Pipeline Construction

The timber mats are being removed from the access road to the pipeline valve site so a permanent road can be constructed. A rock base will be added to the access road along with better drainage.



With the pipeline right-of-ways regraded and ready for seeding, timber mats were stacked wherever space could be found.



Back at the pipeline right-of-way through our woods, a deer (center of photo) walks through a section that was recently reseeded.

Pipeline Construction

With the hydrostatic testing of the Wesauking pipeline complete, the frac tanks used for water storage were removed toady.



A crew works on re-installing the check valve (yellow section of pipe) that was removed during the hydrostatic test. The check valve controls the directional flow of gas on the Wesauking Pipeline and prevents gas from flowing the 24 inch Wilmot Pipeline into the 12 inch Wesauking Pipeline.



Workers from Chesapeake monitor the 24 inch "pig launcher" on the Wilmot Pipeline.

Pipeline Construction

Natural gas is flowing in the Wilmot Pipeline. They were pushing a "pig" this afternoon using the pressure of natural gas. The pipeline pressure was over 1,200 PSI.



There is still some more work to do on the Wesauking Pipeline. The Wesauking "pig launcher" is currently not connected to the shut-off valve between it and the Wilmot Pipeline.

Pipeline Construction

The pipeline location markers were placed along the Wesauking Pipeline today. These markers identify the owner of the pipeline and phone numbers to call.



The markers are positioned directly over the pipeline route. The pipeline right-of-way is 25 feet on each side of the pipeline and the markers are positioned so at least 2 other markers are visible from any marker.

Pipeline Construction

Over the past couple of days a crew worked on finishing the reseeding of the Wesauking Pipeline right-of-way in our area. A crew works on the wetland area of Maureen Brady's property next to our barn.



Reseeding Maureen's property next to Joyce Road.



The reseeding on Maureen's property is done and hydrostatic testing of the pipeline started today.

Pipeline Construction

With the frac tanks full of water, more equipment was brought in for the hydrostatic test of the Wesauking Pipeline.



Workers prepare a large pump to transfer water from the frac tanks to the pipeline.




A large supply of foam "pigs" to clean out the pipeline.

Pipeline Construction

It may be a holiday but some people still have to work. The frac tanks are installed and need to be filled with water before the hydrostatic test of the Wesauking Pipeline can begin.



The water is being hauled from Towanda and it should take about 35 truck loads to fill the frac tanks.

Pipeline Construction

As an excavator hauls the last load of timber mats to the access road, the first frac tank arrives for set up for the hydrostatic testing of the Wesauking Pipeline.



By the end of the day, seven frac tanks had been moved into position at the valve site.



A check valve and shut off valve on the 12 inch valve assembly have been removed and the pipes capped.



View of the valve site and frac tanks.

Pipeline Construction

The 12 inch Wesauking Pipeline valve assembly installation is complete and ready for hydrostatic testing. In the background a dozer works to create a staging area for the water storage tanks needed for the hydrostatic test.



An excavator moves a stack of 12 timber mats to the access road to prepare it for the truck traffic that will haul the water in for the hydrostatic test of the 12 inch pipeline.



View of the three valve assemblies on our property.



Another "pig" was sent through the 24 inch pipeline to remove water from the pipeline.

Pipeline Construction

Wesauking Pipeline
A crew worked on the finial connections of the 12 inch valve/
pig receiver" for the Wesauking Pipeline.



Welding the last sections of the pipeline connection.



Cutting a 45 degree bend for the pipeline tie-in.



The welding and X-ray inspections are complete and once the GPS mapping is done they can start to back fill the trench.



On the west side of Joyce Road, a crew spreads straw on a reseeded area of the pipeline right-of-way on Maureen Brady's property near the wetland area.






Wilmot Pipeline
"Out with the old, in with the new." The supports for the 20 inch "pig launcher" have been removed...


New concrete forms for the new supports.



Filled with concrete.