SDG&E and SoCalGas crews were hard at work the weekend of October 27 to complete a 26 mile “Smart Pig” inspection of a 30-inch diameter natural gas transmission line from Rainbow to Carlsbad.
What makes a “Smart Pig” smart? A smart pig is a large sensor tool that travels at approximately five miles per hour inside a natural gas pipeline, gathering data about the integrity of the pipe. The smart pig can detect corrosion, internal or external any flaws in the pipeline wall, identify any third party damage, and measure for changes in the thickness of the walls.
Before the smart pig could make the four hour journey from Rainbow to Carlsbad, crews had previously replaced four main natural gas valves and other pipeline fittings over the last two years on this stretch of natural gas transmission pipeline that extends from Rainbow (near Fallbrook) to south Carlsbad. This work was required to allow the “Smart Pig” to make the journey inside the pipeline.
The inspection occurred over a period of two days, without any gas service interruptions.
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