COUNTY NEWS RELEASE

New Mexico Gas Company (NMGC) has completed the hydrostatic testing of the natural gas pipeline supplying Los Alamos County with natural gas. As part of the final preparations and resupply of that pipeline, natural gas will be vented on Tuesday, Sept. 1. Venting will include loud noises and strong smell of mercaptan, the odor associated with natural gas.

NMGC needs to drain the water used for the hydrostatic test, dry the pipeline using a pipeline inspection gauge (PIG), fill the pipeline with natural gas and then purge any remaining air in the test section before final pressurization.

Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities was alerted on Thursday, August 27 by NMGC that the venting will happen somewhere between the NM 502/NM 30 interchange and the virtual pipeline locations across from Camino Entrada.

The equipment and gas tankers at the virtual pipeline site will also be removed around this time. Commuters through the area should exercise caution as equipment is taken offsite. An exact date for equipment removal is unknown.