2013 Course Guide (working doc).pub - Northeast Gas Association

Gas Operations School 

June 4-7, 2013 

Bryant University, Smithfield, Rhode Island 

Hands-On Training Corrosion Control Customer Service 

Safety Natural Gas Distribution Certificate Program System Design 

Gas Supply , Storage, and Transmission MFA Component LNG Field Trip 

Version 5102013 

Over 100 Exhibits Distribution Operations Distribution OQ

2013 NGA Gas Operations School 

INDEX 

The 2013 School Sponsors 4 

Chairman’s Message 5 

List of Commiee Members 6 

How to Register 7 

General Informaon 7 

Travel Direcons to Bryant 8 

Map of Bryant Campus 9 

School Schedule 10 

Curriculum At‐A‐Glance 11 

Exhibit Floor Plan 12 

Exhibing Companies 13 

Acvies 14 

Curriculum 

Introducon to the Maintenance of 

Natural Gas Distribuon System 15 

Safety Track 16‐17 

Customer Service Track 18‐19 

Distribuon Operaons Track 20‐21 

Distribuon OQ Track 22‐23 

Gas Supply, Storage & Transmission Track 24‐26 

System Design Track 27‐28 

_________________________________________ 

Hotels in the Area 29 

75 Second Avenue, Suite 510, Needham, MA 02494 

Tel: 781‐455‐6800 Fax: 781‐455‐6828 www.northeastgas.org 4/1/2013 

3

Gold Sponsors 

Silver Sponsors 


2013 SPONSORS 

4

SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR 

Sarah Millo, Yankee Gas Services Co. 

SCHOOL COMMITTEE VICE CHAIR 

Bill Hobart, Unil 

CORROSION CONTROL 

Joan Furtado, Columbia Gas of MA 

CUSTOMER SERVICE 

Jim Benne, Southern Conneccut Gas Co. 


A Message from the Committee Chair 

What an excing me to work in the natural gas industry! Thanks to an abundant supply and the envi‐ 

ronmental benefits of natural gas, market demands connue to increase country‐wide. In Conneccut 

alone, the Governor’s Comprehensive Energy Strategy charges the state’s LDC’s to pursue making low 

cost, domesc natural gas an opon available to hundreds of thousands of residents and 75 percent of 

the state’s businesses in the next seven years. In addion, PHMSA’s 2012 focus on accelerated infra‐ 

structure replacement has increased the amount of work being done on our facilies. As a result, there 

is a dramac need to expand our natural gas workforce overall and the skills of our exisng workforce. 

At the Gas Operaons School, we are proud to provide natural gas industry personnel the opportunity to 

expand their knowledge, skills and professional networks. And I truly believe the annual school delivers a 

unique educaonal product to the industry. Over the years we have connued to evaluate and adapt the 

school to keep up with the changing needs of the industry and this year is no different. 

Highlights include: 

A new track, System Design, which covers the sizing & design of various infrastructure components used in the natural gas 

industry. 

A revamped Distribuon track which targets several of the NGA’s OQ covered tasks. These classes are intended to provide 

classroom & hands‐on training to workers preparing to take the OQ tests or simply looking to refresh their skills and 

knowledge. 

For a 2 nd year in a row, we will be offering a Cerficate in Natural Gas Distribuon. This 2‐day program provides a compre‐ 

hensive overview of a distribuon system. 

A new class on the hot topic of Control Room Management has been added to the Gas Supply track. 

And as in past years, the largest single gas operaons equipment display in the Northeast. 

I hope you take advantage of all the school has to offer ‐ from new offerings to proven favorites, the countless opportunies to 

network with other industry professionals and the beauful surroundings of the Bryant campus. 

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all present & past Chairmen, Commiee Members, Industry Sponsors, Exhibi‐ 

tors, Instructors and Students for making our School what it is today. All of you have made my role as Chairman an enjoyable 

and rewarding experience. 

Sarah E. Millo, Yankee Gas/Northeast Ulies 

NGA Commiee Chair 

Gas Operations School - Executive Committee 

The School Committee 

This photo was taken December 2012 and not all members were available at the time of the photo shoot 

5 

DISTRIBUTION 

Rick Dion, Conneccut Natural Gas Corp. 

GAS SUPPLY 

Dave Ward, NSTAR Electric and Gas 

MEASUREMENT AND CONTROL 

Bob Powell, Powell Controls, Inc.

Chair 

Sarah E. Millo, Yankee Gas Services Company 

Vice Chair 

Bill Hobart, Unil 

Members 

Dana C. Argo, Sr., Columbia Gas of MA 

Walter L. Armstrong, The Liberty Group 

John Barre, Naonal Grid 

James Benne, The Southern Conneccut Gas Co. 

Richard Bernaiche, Yankee Gas Services Company 

Christopher T. Carignan, New England Ulity Constructors, Inc. 

Thomas Costa, NSTAR 

Gene Cote, UPSCO 

Dan Cretu, Naonal Grid 

Paul D. DiLorenzo, R.H. White Construcon Co., Inc. 

Richard P. Dion, Conneccut Natural Gas Corp. 

Donald A. Doubleday, Jr., Naonal Grid 

Edward Flynn, Mulcare Pipeline Soluons, Inc. 

Michael Francis, Columbia Gas of MA 

Joan R. Furtado, Columbia Gas of MA 

Jim Hansen, Elster Perfecon 

Michael Hebert, Northstar Industries, Inc. 

Gary Holland, NSTAR 

Brian S. Hunt, Naonal Grid 

David G. Iseler, Naonal Grid 

Steven W. Joslyn, Conneccut Natural Gas Corp. 

William E. Leatham III, NSTAR 

Rebecca Lenk, Southern Conneccut Gas Co. 

George Levesque, New England Controls, Inc. 

Robert M. Lundergan, Unil/Northern Ulies 

Steven Montemarano, Naonal Grid 

James "J" Mullowney, Vermont Gas Systems, Inc. 

David Newsham, New England Ulity Constructors, Inc. 

William A. Peck, New England Gas Company 

Daniel J. Piche, Naonal Grid 

Michael Pieciuk, Yankee Gas Services Company 

Robert M. Powell, Powell Controls, Inc. 

Daniel Rennie, Naonal Grid 

Denis L. Rossi, New England CP 

Kenneth Silva, Naonal Grid 

Daniel J. Smith, Holyoke Gas & Electric Dept. 

Nicholas Stoia, Elster American Meter 

C. Milan Toombs, Columbia Gas of MA 

David Ward, NSTAR 

David Weeden, Yankee Gas Services Company 

Bradley Wong, NSTAR 

Vito Zuschlag, NSTAR 


2013 SCHOOL COMMITTEE 

6 

GOS SUBCOMMITTEES 

Customer Service 

Jim Benne (Chair) 

Brian Hunt (Vice Chair) 

Rebecca Lenk 

Bob Lundergan 

J Mullowney 

Milan Toombs 

Brad Wong 

Corrosion Control 

Wally Armstrong (Vice Chair) 

Don Doubleday 

Joan Furtado (Chair) 

Steven Montemarano 

Mike Pieciuk 

Denis Rossi 

Distribuon 

Gene Cote 

Rick Dion (Chair) 

Paul DiLorenzo 

Mike Francis 

Jim Hansen 

Gary Holland 

Steve Joslyn 

Bill Leatham 

Dave Newsham 

Dan Rennie 

Ken Silva (Vice Chair) 

Vito Zuschlag 

Gas Supply 

Ed Flynn 

Dave Iseler (Vice Chair) 

George Levesque 

Dan Smith 

Dan Piche 

Dave Ward (Chair) 

Measurement & Control 

Dana Argo 

John Barre 

Dan Cretu (Vice Chair) 

Mike Hebert 

Bob Powell (Chair) 

Nick Stoia 

David Weeden 

Special Assignment 

Richard Bernaiche 

Thom Costa 

Chris Carignan 

Bill Peck 

Paul Raymond

How to Register 

Deadlines 

Commuters – May 25, 2013 

Registraons Received aer this date will 

incur a $50 late registraon fee. 

All reservaons must be made, in advance, using the 

registraon form provided with this Course Guide. The 

registraon form must be signed by a company 

execuve and returned with the appropriate 

registraon fee. Make check payable to: Northeast Gas 

Associaon; and mail to NGA’s Headquarters at 75 

Second Avenue, Suite 510, Needham, MA 02494 

T: (781) 455‐6800 x108; Fax: (781) 455‐6828. 

School Registraon Fees 

Full 3‐Day Registraon 

Registraon material & breaks 

Breakfast and lunch on Wednesday, Thursday and 

Friday 

Tuesday evening Welcome Recepon and Clambake 

Member: $355 

Non‐NGA Company Member: $510 

Government: $60 

Wednesday, June 5 


Breakfast and lunch on Wednesday 

Addional charge for Tuesday evening Clambake 

Member: $195 



Thursday, June 6 


Breakfast and lunch on Thursday 

Addional charge for Tuesday evening Clambake 

Member: $195 



Friday, June 7 

Member: $65 


On Campus Accommodaons 

This opon not available aer May 21, 2013 

Three (3) nights, on‐campus accommodaons; 

breakfast, lunch, dinner (on‐campus) 

Fee: $195 

Clambake Tickets 

Tuesday evening Clambake ckets are available for 

purchase for per day registrants and industry 

personnel. 

Fee: $85 per cket 


GENERAL INFORMATION 

Purpose 

To provide students from non‐ulity as well as gas ulity companies, technical knowledge from both a 

theorecal and praccal viewpoint in the various operaonal areas of the natural gas industry. 

The Program 

An academic environment, a highly qualified faculty and a comprehensive curriculum combine to assure an 

outstanding educaonal experience. 

The School is rigidly evaluated to ensure that the course content and the instructors relate to the current and 

future needs of the gas industry. 

The 2013 School program features courses offered in the areas of safety, customer service, distribuon 

operaons, distribuon OQ, gas supply, storage & transmission, corrosion control, system design, LNG. A 

balanced mix of academic discussion, hands‐on, and instructor demonstraon is provided in each discipline. 

NGA On‐Campus Hours 

Tuesday, June 4 12:00 noon ‐ 6:00 PM 

Wednesday, June 5 7:00 AM ‐ 5:15 PM 

Thursday, June 6 7:00 AM ‐ 5:00 PM 

Friday, June 7 7:00 AM ‐ 12:30 PM 

All students must check‐in at the NGA Registraon Desk, which will be located at the MAC. The NGA on‐ 

campus office will be located in the Academic Building (Unistructure), Room 279. 

Name Badges/Bar Code 

Your name badge holds the key to your aendance! Every name badge has your individual bar code number 

on it. Aer each session you aend, the class monitor will scan your badge to record your aendance. Don’t 

lose your Badge! 

Classroom Locaons 

Classes will be held in the Academic Center, Management Resource Center (MRC) , the Chace Athlec Center 

(The MAC) and the George E. Bello Center. Refer to campus map included in the booklet. 

Gas Supply Track: MFA and LNG Tour (Thursday, June 6) 

You must pre‐register to parcipate in these off‐site sessions. Please re‐confirm your parcipaon at 

registraon check‐in. Space is limited. 

Exhibits 

The Exhibit will be located in the Mulpurpose Acvies Center ‐ “The MAC”. 

Class Aendance Cerficates 

Only students who have registered for the full 3‐day course and with aendance of a minimum of 13 classes, 

plus a visit through the Exhibit, will receive cerficates. 

Course Literature 

Going Green ‐ Providing copies of session presentaons is at the discreon of each instructor. 

No Smoking Policy 

Smoking is prohibited in all University buildings, including Residence Hall rooms and Townhouses. 

Cell Phones 

As a considerate gesture while in a classroom, please put your cell/mobile phones on vibrate or turn off. 

Recreaonal Acvies 

Bryant's campus offers 35 acres of playing fields; a challenging cross‐country course; six outdoor tennis courts; 

a basketball court, and an eight‐lane 400‐meter track. Students can obtain a pass to use the workout facilies 

in the Chace Wellness and Athlec Center. A Game Room is also available in the Bryant Center. 

Acvies to Sign Up For 

The Volleyball Tournament on Tuesday night and The Knowledge Bowl on Thursday during lunch! 

7


Direcons 

BRYANT UNIVERISTY 

Bryant University—1150 Douglas Pike 

Smithfield, RI 02917 

Bryant University is located on Route 7, just off Route 295. Smithfield is 

approximately 15 minutes from Providence, RI, and one hour from Boston, 

MA. 

FROM POINTS SOUTH OF PROVIDENCE: 

(Warwick, Newport, Conneccut, New York, etc.) 

Take Route 95 north to Route 295 north to Route 7 north (exit 8B). The 

University is two miles north on the le. 

FROM POINTS NORTH OF PROVIDENCE: 

(Aleboro, Boston, New Hampshire, etc.) 

Take Route 95 south to Route 295 south to Route 7 north (exit 8B). The 


FROM THE MASS. PIKE (ROUTE 90): 

(Points west of Boston) 

Take Exit 10A to Route 146 south to Route 295 south to Route 7 north (exit 

8B). The University is two miles north on the le. 

FROM ROUTE 146 NORTH OR SOUTH: 

(Providence area, Worcester Area) 

Take Route 295 south to Route 7 north (exit 8B). The University is two miles 

north on the le. 

FROM ROUTE 84: (Harord Area) 

Take Route 6 east to Route 295 north to Route 7 north (exit 8B). The 


Bryant is a student‐centered university focused on excellence that 

prepares its graduates to achieve their personal best in life and their 

chosen profession through: 

Challenging academic programs offered by faculty members 

prominent in their ields, 

A culturally‐enriched campus life that encourages personal 

growth, 

Corporate and business experiences and afiliations, 

The integration of advanced technology into the curriculum, and, 

The cultivation of global perspective through coursework and 

student‐life activities. 

8

BRYANT UNIVERSITY CAMPUS 

9

Monday, June 3 

Exhibitor Set‐up Only 12:00 noon ‐ 5:00 p.m. The MAC 

GOS Golf Tournament 8:00 a.m. ‐ 1:30 p.m. Blackstone Naonal Golf Club, Suon, MA 

Tuesday, June 4 

Exhibitor Set‐Up 7:00 a.m. ‐ 11:30 a.m. The MAC 

Exhibitor Registraon 8:00 a.m. ‐ 2:00 p.m. The MAC 

Student Registraon 2:00 p.m. ‐ 6:00 p.m. The MAC 

Exhibit Hours 2:00 p.m. ‐ 6:00 p.m. The MAC 

OMC Meeng (invitaon only) 12:00 noon ‐ 3:00 p.m. Grand Hall, Bello Center 

Welcome Recepon 5:00 p.m. ‐ 6:00 p.m. The MAC 

New England Clambake 

6:15 p.m. ‐ 8:15 p.m. Under the Tent /Inside in Salmanson Dining Room 

The Clambake is included in Exhibit Registraons and Student 

Full Registraon. Tickets can be purchased. 

Volleyball Tournament 8:15 p.m. Volleyball Court ‐ under marker “13” on the adjacent map 


Breakfast 6:30 a.m. ‐ 7:45 a.m. Salmanson Dining Room 

Registraon 7:00 a.m. ‐ 3:15 p.m. The MAC 

Morning Sessions 8:00 a.m. ‐ 9:15 a.m. 

Break: 9:15 ‐ 9:30 

9:30 a.m. ‐ 10:45 a.m. 

Academic Hall, Management Resource Center, Bello Center 

Exhibit Hours 11:00 a.m. ‐ 1:15 p.m. The MAC 

Lunch in the Exhibit Hall 11:00 a.m. ‐ 12:30 p.m. The MAC 

Aernoon Sessions 12:45 p.m. ‐ 1:45 p.m. 

2:00 p.m. ‐ 3:15 p.m. 

Break: 3:15 ‐ 3:30 

3:30 p.m. ‐ 4:30 p.m. 


Dinner 6:15 p.m. ‐ 7:15 p.m. Dinner is part of the “Oponal Package” 

Salmanson Dining Room 

Aer Class “Get Together” 5:00 p.m. ‐ 6:00 p.m. The Tent 



Registraon and NGA On‐Campus Office 7:00 a.m. ‐ 5:00 p.m. Unistructure Room #279 

General Assembly 

“Lesson Learned from Super Storm Sandy” 

8:00 a.m. ‐ 9:00 a.m. Janikies Auditorium 

Morning Sessions 9:15 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 

Break: 10:30 ‐ 10:45 

10:45 a.m. ‐ 12:00 noon 


SCHEDULE 

10 

Academic Hall, Management Resource Center, Bello Center, 

and Mass Fire Academy (Stow, MA) 

Lunch 12:00 a.m. ‐ 1:15 p.m. Salmanson Dining Room 

Aernoon Sessions 1:15 p.m. ‐ 2:15 p.m. 

2:30 p.m. ‐ 3:45 p.m. 

Break: 3:45 ‐ 4:00 

4:00 p.m. ‐ 5:00 p.m. 


Dinner (Oponal Package only) 5:00 p.m. ‐ 6:30 p.m. Salmanson Dining Room 



Registraon and NGA On‐Campus Office 7:00 a.m. ‐ 12:30 p.m. Unistructure Room #279 

Morning Sessions 8:00 a.m. ‐ 9:15 a.m. 

Break: 9:15 ‐ 9:30 

9:30 a.m. ‐ 10:45 a.m. 

11:00 a.m. ‐ 12:00 noon 

Academic Hall, Management Resource Center, Bello Center


CURRICULUM AT-A-GLANCE 

11


EXHIBIT FLOOR PLAN 

12


EXHIBITING COMPANIES 

13

Monday, June 3 

Golf Tournament 

Scramble Format 

Blackstone Naonal Golf Club 

227 Putnam Hill Road, Suon, MA 

The Vendor Scramble Golf Tournament is the 7th annual 

golf tournament held in conjuncon with the annual Gas 

Operaons School & Exhibit. An event that keeps 

growing in popularity. The oung will take place on 

Monday, June 3, the day before the official opening of 

the School. Registraon includes a connental breakfast, 

BBQ lunch (1:00 p.m.), greens fees, and shared cart. Fee 

is $125 per person. The event begins at 7:00 a.m. with a 

connental breakfast followed by a shotgun start at 8:00 

a.m. Reservaons: Space is limited and reservaons will 

be accepted on a first come, first served basis. If you are 

interested, please contact NGA at 781‐455‐6800 or 

register on line. Registraon must be received by May 

31. No refunds for cancellaons aer May 31. 


Welcome Recepon 

The School kicks off with a Welcome Recepon starng 

at 5:00 p.m. for everyone who is registered for the 

School, including students, exhibitors, instructors, invited 

guests, past School chairmen and clambake cket 

holders. Commiee Chair Sarah Millo will emcee the 

Recepon, acknowledging the efforts and contribuons 

of the many individuals it takes to successfully cra the 

School. The Recepon will be held in the Exhibit Hall, 

from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. 


ACTIVITIES 

14 


The New England 

Clambake 

Following the Recepon at 

6:15 p.m. , head on over to 

the Clambake which will be 

set up behind the 

Salmanson Dining Room 

where you will have the opon of dining inside….or 

outside under the Big Tent. We promise an evening of 

fun with terrific food in a casual seng. It’s a great way 

to kick‐off the School week. 

“Under the Lights” Annual 

Volleyball Tournament 

Come out to play in a social 

volleyball tourney set up to have 

fun first and compete second. 

Sign up to play on your own or 

with a full team of 6. Tuesday night, aer the Clambake 

head up to the fully lit beach court between the dorms 

(follow the signs). Come to the Clambake dressed to 

play. No cost. Sign up on the official School registraon 

form. Or look for the sign‐up sheet on NGA’s website. 

Mulcare’s Sco Vigil is running the gig. He says “We’ll 

organize the play that night and run it l there is a 

winner or we are too red to bump, set and spike.” 

Prizes will be awarded to the winning team! 

Any quesons, you can contact 

Sco at svigil@mulcare.com; or 973‐650‐6929. 


“Aer Class Social” Join your colleagues at 

the conclusion of the day’s classes for a one‐ 

hour recepon. Meet new industry people 

and old friends. 

Have some snacks and drinks while 

discussing your evening plans in the Providence area. 

Sponsored by 

Powell Controls and NEUCO

The NGA Natural Gas Distribuon Cerficate Program has been developed to provide natural gas distribuon company, 

transmission company and associated professionals focused training, providing knowledge in the operaons of the natural 

gas industry. The program requires each student to parcipate in four 2.5 hour courses with a knowledge assessment given 

aer each course. Aer compleon of the four courses and assessments, the student will be provided with a cerficate of 

achievement. 

Each course has been designed with a set of learning objecves. In addion, each course is taught by one or mulple 

instructors that are experts in the topic, excellent presenters, and who must address all learning objecves. 


8:00 – 10:45 

NATURAL GAS FLOW 

John Rafferty, Vice President, Powell Controls, Inc. 

This course provides a foundaon for understanding the unique characteriscs of natural gas and the basic 

components of the infrastructure required to take natural gas from underground to the customer’s 

appliance. You will learn about the properes and characteriscs of natural gas, the evoluon of the 

natural gas industry, where natural gas is found and how it is extracted, the infrastructure required to take 

natural gas from well to burner p, end uses for natural gas, natural gas safety and environmental impact. 

9:15 – 9:30 ‐ Morning Break 

11:00 – 12:30 ‐ Lunch with the Exhibitors in the “MAC” 

12:45 – 3:15 

INSTALLATION OF A DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM 

Patrick J. Callahan, President, Celc Controls, Inc. 

This course provides a foundaon for understanding the basic components of a natural gas distribuon system and common tasks performed during the 

installaon of a natural gas distribuon system. You will learn about the basic pipeline components installed between the outlet of a gate staon and the 

inlet of the customer’s fuel line, including pipe materials; valves; district regulators; service regulators and meters. You will also learn about the different 

methods of installing and joining pipe and required tasks to ensure a gas facility is put into service safely. 

3:15 – 3:30 ‐ Aernoon Break 

3:30 – 4:30 ‐ Day‐1 Roundtable and Fulfillment of Requirements for Earning a Cerficate 


8:00 – 10:45 

MAINTENANCE OF DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM 

Thomas Chizinski, Director Engineering, Conneccut Natural Gas Corp. and The Southern Conneccut Gas Co. 

This course provides a foundaon for understanding the common tasks performed to safely & effecvely maintain a natural gas distribuon system in 

accordance with federal and state regulaons. You will learn about the common inspecon / survey requirements performed by LDC’s including leak 

survey, patrolling, crical valve and regulator staon inspecons. You will also learn about the leak invesgaon process, the differences between 

repairing and replacing pipe and the different methods and materials used to repair buried pipe. 

9:15 – 9:30 ‐ Morning Break 

11:00 – 12:15 ‐ Lunch in Salmanson Dining Room 

12:30 – 3:00 

PROTECTION OF A DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM 

Ernie Grasso, Director, Training & Compliance, NEUCO and Denis Rossi, Corrosion Specialist, New England CP 

This course provides a foundaon for understanding common tasks performed and methods ulized to safely & effecvely protect a natural gas 

distribuon system in accordance with federal and state regulaons. You will learn about the federal public awareness requirements and common ways 

LDC’s comply with them, the federal requirements for LDC’s to protect their facilies from external damage, common acons LDC’s take to comply with 

these protecon requirements, corrosion control requirements, methods of providing cathodic protecon and common emergency response acons 

LDC’s take in the event their facilies are damaged. 

3:00 – 3:15 ‐ Aernoon Break 


NG DISTRIBUTION CERTIFICATE PROGRAM 

3:15 – 4:15 ‐ Day‐2 Roundtable and Fulfillment of Requirements for Earning a Cerficate 

15

.Wednesday, June 5 

8:00 – 9:15 

Basic Firefighng Techniques 

Chris Madden, Senior Instructor 

Norm Seymour, Coordinator Flammable Gas Training Group 

Massachuses Firefighng Academy 

This session will contain basic firefighng strategy and taccal 

consideraons for LNG plant personnel with an insight into Fire 

Department organizaon and how the plant personnel fit into 

that organizaon as technical advisors. 

9:15 – 9:30 

Morning Break 

9:30 – 10:45 

Basic Gas Laws 

John E. Page, Eastern U.S. Sales Manager 

GE Oil & Gas 

This class introduces many basic, but important concepts that are 

necessary for anyone involved in gas sample condioning. You 

will learn the effects that pressure and temperature changes 

have on gas composion by covering the basic principles of 

vapor/liquid equilibrium; saturaon/de‐saturaon; absorpon/ 

desorpon; and Joule‐Thomson cooling vs. latent heat of 

vaporizaon. 

11:00 – 12:30 

Lunch with the Exhibitors in the “MAC” 

12:45 – 1:45 

GTI ‐ Cross‐Bores ‐ Best Pracce and Outreach Program 

James Marean, Senior Program Manager 

Gas Technology Instute 

This course is designed to disseminate informaon from a 

recently completed industry‐wide best pracces study regarding 

the approaches used to idenfy and migate cross‐bores. Cross‐ 

bores are dangerous situaons where gas pipe has been installed 

through sewer laterals. This is an important issue for ulies that 

have used trenchless installaon pracces such as horizontal 

direconal drilling or pneumac soil piercing. 

2:00 ‐‐ 3:15 

Emergency Response to Odorant Spills 

Jan Strmen, President, MRR 

The natural gas industry is a fast growing segment of our energy 

industry and there is a need to keep all our operaons safe and 

environmentally friendly. Odorizaon of natural gas as well as 

propane is regulated by law and handling odorants presents high 

risk to reliability of natural gas delivery. 


SAFETY TRACK 

16 

Emergency Response to Odorant Spills 

(Connued) 

In this presentaon we will discuss: sources of odor leaks 

and spills, consequences of odorant spills, odorant spill 

prevenon, emergency response plans and tools for 

emergency response. Several case studies of odorant spills 

will be presented to discuss proper and safe response to 

odorant leaks and spills. 

3:15 – 3:30 

Aernoon Break 

3:30 – 4:30 

Stac Electricity on PE Pipe 

Steve Joslyn, Supervisor Training and Operaons Support 

Conneccut Natural Gas Corp. 

This class will provide an overview of PE stac on 

polyethylene pipe. We will incorporate an open forum to 

evaluate and discuss various methods of safeguarding people 

and property from uncontrolled stac discharge of 

polyethylene pipe. 


8:00 ‐ 9:00 


Lessons Learned from Super Storm Sandy 

presented by a panel of experts. 

9:15 – 10:30 

Flame Retardant PPE Clothing ‐ Classroom 

Brian E. Foy, Thermal Specialist, DuPont 

Jeff Blodge, Environmental Health and Safety Manager 

Columbia Gas of Massachuses/NiSource 

“Let’s set it on fire and see what happens…..” DuPont is 

recognized throughout the industry as a leader in the 

research and manufacturing of fire resistant clothing. Come 

hear from Jeff and Brian as they go through the burn tesng 

that NiSource performed at the DuPont Thermo‐Man lab to 

understand the performance of their FR PPE, as well as the 

praccal FR PPE clothing choices that were made at NiSource 

as a result of these tests. 

NOTE DAY AND TIME CHANGE: for the live demonstraon 

from DuPont ‐ Thermo‐Man. It will now be held on Friday, 

June 7, the last class 11:00 am ‐ 12:00 noon 

10:30 – 10:45 

Morning Break 

10:45 ‐‐ 12:00

12:00 – 1:15 

Lunch in Salmanson Dining Room 

1:15 – 2:15 

Fundamentals of Odorizaon and Odor Level Tesng 

John Rafferty, Vice President 

Powell Controls, Inc. 

This class will explore the history of odorizaon, why ulies 

odorizer, the types of chemicals used for odorizaon, types of 

odorizers, Codes & Standards pertaining to odorizaon, 

praccal odorizaon handling, odor level tesng, and how to 

generate a complete odorizaon program. This class will review 

in detail the curriculum necessary for NGA OQ Tasks 68 and 69. 

2:30 ‐‐ 3:45 

Fundamentals of Odorizaon and Odor Level Tesng, 

(Connued) 

13:45 – 4:00 

Aernoon Break 

4:00 – 5:00 

Work Site Safety 

Rick Denham, Safety Manager 

Ryan Dinneen, Safety Officer 

R.H. White Construcon Company 

This session will discuss general industry safety with emphasis 

on safety culture and will give an introducon into a 

contractor’s perspecve on work site safety. This class will 

highlight specific emphasis on (PS) pre‐planning process, PPE, 

daily safety plan, hazard assessment, excavaon safety, traffic/ 

pedestrian control, equipment safety, material handling and 

lessons learned. 


8:00—9:15 

Incident Command 

William Scoble, Fire Chief 

Westwood Fire Department 

James Puleo, Deputy Fire Chief 

Mansfield Fire Department 

Interacon between the Fire Department and the Gas Ulity at 

the scene of incidents is vital to public safety. This course 

explains the Fire Department’s Incident Command Procedures 

and the interacon with the gas ulity in making the scene safe. 

The instructors will explain how it is more effecve when the 

ulity’s procedures correspond with the Incident Command 

Procedures. 


SAFETY TRACK 

17 

9:30—10:45 

Fire Invesgaon 





Incident Command explains the interacon between the Fire 

Department and the Gas Ulity at the scene of an incident. 

Fire Invesgaon will explain how the ulity company should 

work with the Fire Department to secure the scene as well as 

their role in the invesgaon. While on the scene, the ulity 

personnel should begin their invesgaon by deciding on what 

type of incident they have encountered. What is the cause of 

the fire? Is the incident caused by natural gas? What should 

you look for? The instructors will explain the burning 

characteriscs of various materials to assist you in your 

determinaon. 

10:45—11:00 

Morning Break 

11:00—12:00 

Terrorism 





This class will focus on the interacon of the Fire Department, 

the Ulity, Fire Marshall and the Office of Homeland Security 

in today’s world. What are some of the quesons and answers 

we need to know on how we define Terrorism? 

11:00—12:00 

DEMONSTRATION (new date and me) 

Flame Retardant PPE Clothing ‐ Classroom 

Brian E. Foy, Thermal Specialist, DuPont 

Jeff Blodge, Environmental Health 

and Safety Manager 

Columbia Gas of Massachuses/ 

NiSource


8:00 – 9:15 

CO ‐ Safety and Tesng Technologies 

Erik Rasmussen, ESCO 

Pete Cullen, COO, Wohler USA 

Carbon Monoxide has been around for a long me. The 

characteriscs and effects have not changed, but recently it has 

received renewed coverage. This class will review carbon 

monoxide’s characteriscs and health effects. 

IF YOU ARE NOT TESTING‐YOU ARE GUESSING. The next part of this 

class covers proper care and maintenance of detecon equipment 

and sensor technologies. It then covers proper tesng techniques, 

acon levels, and health effects. 

CO detecon is vital. The instructor will review the latest updates 

with CO detector naonal standards (UL 2034) and a comparison to 

Canada’s CSA 6.19 standard. 

9:15 – 9:30 

Morning Break 

9:30 – 10:45 

High Efficiency Boilers 

Rick Johnson, Technical and Training Manager 

Weil McLain 

Today’s high efficiency boilers are exceeding 90% efficiency. 

Understanding the technology that allows this higher efficiency is a 

must, since these boilers do not operate like standard efficiency 

boilers. They ulize new controls that operate differently. The class 

will provide a presentaon of near boiler replacement piping, 

theory of operaon, operaon of components, and basic 

troubleshoong. Understanding of these concepts will help the 

ulity worker who is servicing equipment or responding to a low/ 

high bill issue. 

11:00 – 12:30 


12:45 – 1:45 

Natural Fuel Gas Code 

James J. Mullowney, Manager‐Facilies 

Vermont Gas Systems, Inc. 

Changing technology and constant emphasis on safety requires 

thorough code knowledge for anyone servicing, installing or 

inspecng equipment. What should you do if you observe a code 

violaon? What happens if codes conflict? This course will review 

the 2012 Naonal Fuel Gas Code and will offer steps to take to 

protect your customers, your company and yourselves from 

potenally unsafe condions. Actual cases and incidents will be 

reviewed in an open discussion format. 


CUSTOMER SERVICE TRACK 

18 

2:00 – 3:15 

Ultra High Efficiency Furnaces 

Phil Valpey, Technical Support 

S.G. Torrice Company 

The “ultra” high efficiency furnace is the latest evoluon for 

today’s equipment. Understanding how the furnace operates is a 

must for today’s technician. This course will explain the 

sequence of operaon and how the new control module allows 

the furnace to reach efficiencies up to 96%. How to troubleshoot 

these units completes the class. This class will focus on the 

modulang /two state gas furnace and ECM (electronically 

commutated motor.) 

3:15 – 3:30 

Aernoon Break 

3:30 – 4:30 

Revenue Protecon ‐ The of Service 

Pat Uhlman 

NSTAR Gas and Electric 

When a ulity person finds someone stealing gas, they invoke 

their The of Service program. However, is that all there is to 

a Revenue Protecon Program? Is your program proacve or 

reacve? What’s the difference? Are other causes of revenue 

loss given the same aenon as the of service? This course 

will give an overview of how to recognize and properly 

invesgate gas the as well as making sure that the Revenue 

Protecon/Revenue Assurance process idenfies, quanfies 

and recovers for other causes of revenue loss. 


8:00 ‐ 9:00 




9:15 ‐ 10:30 

High Efficiency Hydronic Heang 

John Murphy, Business Development Manager 

SRGI 

This session will cover the general laws of physics as it applies to 

condensing boilers and more specifically how it applies to high 

efficiency hydronic heang boilers. 

The impact of outdoor reset will be discussed to explain the 

benefit of condensing appliances in high temperature systems. 

Simple “pit‐falls” of outdoor reset will also be discussed. 

10:30 ‐‐ 10:45 

Morning Break

10:45 ‐‐ 12:00 

Recognion and Assessment of Atmospheric Corrosion 

Donald A. Doubleday, Principal Corrosion Engineer 

Naonal Grid 

This session will focus on the recognion, assessment and 

migaon of atmospheric corrosion as typically found by field 

personnel. Learn how to evaluate, classify and remediate 

atmospheric corrosion on meter risers & sets, wall 

penetraons, inside piping, exposed piping at bridge crossings, 

regulator pits, LNG and propane facilies. 

12:00 – 1:15 


1:15 – 2:15 

On Demand Water Heaters 

John Murphy 

Rinnai 

Come learn about hybrid on‐demand water heaters and the 

advantages of using them over tradional tanks. This class will 

review the technology and how it works; and discuss how to 

install and set up the systems. 

2:30 – 3:45 

Odor Invesgaon for First Responders 

(Double Session) 

Brian Hunt, Naonal Grid 

Jim Benne, Southern Conneccut Gas Co. 

This class will be a discussion on what it means to be a First 

Responder when dispatched to invesgate an odor call for a 

natural gas company. The instructors will share the different 

methods and dues of safely approaching various types of odor 

invesgaons such as natural gas, CO, propane, etc. You will 

learn the basic knowledge needed to understand natural gas in its 

various stages of combuson. Some of the most common areas 

to invesgate when responding to an odor will be discussed, with 

an opportunity for a Q&A with your peers and other professional 

First Responders. 

The session will conclude with students being given the 

opportunity to see and operate some of the equipment used by 

First Responders when invesgang these types of calls. 

3:45 – 4:00 

Aernoon Break 

4:00 – 5:00 

Odor Invesgaon for First 

Responders 

(Connued) 


CUSTOMER SERVICE TRACK 


8:00—9:15 

Incident Command 





Interacon between the Fire Department and he Gas Ulity at the 

scene of incidents is vital to public safety. This course explains the 

Fire Department’s Incident Command Procedures and the 

interacon with the gas ulity in making the scene safe. The 

instructors will explain how it is more effecve when the ulity’s 

procedures correspond with the Incident Command Procedures. 

9:30—10:45 

Fire Invesgaon 





Incident Command explains the interacon between the Fire 

Department and the Gas Ulity at the scene of an incident. Fire 

Invesgaon will explain how the ulity company should work 

with the Fire Department to secure the scene as well as their role 

in the invesgaon. While on the scene, the ulity personnel 

should begin their invesgaon by deciding on what type of 

incident they have encountered. What is the cause of the fire? Is 

the incident caused by natural gas? What should you look for? 

The instructors will explain the burning characteriscs of various 

materials to assist you in your determinaon. 

10:45—11:00 

Morning Break 

11:00—12:00 

Terrorism 





This class will focus on the interacon of the Fire Department, the 

Ulity, Fire Marshall and the Office of Homeland Security in 

today’s world. What are some of the quesons and answers we 

need to know on how we define Terrorism? 

19


8:00 – 9:15 

GTI ‐ New Gas Distribuon Technologies and Products 

Paul Armstrong, Director Business Development 


This course will provide an overview of recently completed and 

ongoing research for the development of new products, 

processes and technologies for various gas distribuon 

applicaons. 

9:15 – 9:30 

Morning Break 

9:30 – 10:45 

Gas Pipeline Safety Regulaons 

Philip Sher, Pipeline Consultant 

Philip Sher Pipeline Consultants 

This class provides an overview of some of the federal and 

state gas regulaons which affect the everyday field 

operaons of gas pipeline companies. This class covers some 

of the history of regulaons, statutory authority, purpose, 

source and review of selected regulaons of parcular interest 

to field work forces. 

11:00 – 12:30 


12:45 – 1:45 

Praccal Field Applicaon of Pipeline Regulaons 

Philip Sher, Pipeline Consultant 

Philip Sher Pipeline Consultants 

This class will review the praccal field applicaon of some 

state and federal pipeline regulaons some of which are 

included in the Pipeline Safety Regulaons class. This class will 

review some praccal interpretaons of the regulaons for 

day‐to‐day operaons as well as reviewing some classic field 

cases of code violaons. 

2:00 – 3:15 

Crical Valves ‐ “Keep them Operang” 

David Orr, Naonal Sales Manager 

QuarterTurn Resources Inc. 

Crical valves must be maintained annually. Different valves 

require different kinds of maintenance. The instructor will go 

into detail with the differences in valve styles, how to idenfy 

each type, how to operate crical valves without damaging 

them, and how to maintain them. 


DISTRIBUTION OPERATIONS TRACK 

20 

3:15 – 3:30 

Aernoon Break 

3:30 ‐‐ 4:30 

Horizontal Direconal Drilling ‐ the “Do’s & Don’ts” 

Sco Kelly, President 

Bruce Hubbard, Vice President 

Enterprise Trenchless Technology, Inc. (ETTI) 

Effecve and Efficient: Horizontal Direcon Drilling, aka HDD 

As the natural gas industry grapples with the challenge of 

replacing its aging infrastructure, the HDD method may be a cost 

effecve alternave to the tradional open cut construcon 

method. This course will cover the basic theory of HDD including 

what projects make the best HDD candidates, best pracces to 

avoid cross‐bores or costly damages to underground ulies, 

and the importance of doing your homework before you drill. 


8:00 ‐ 9:00 




9:15 – 10:30 

Gas Detector Instrumentaon, Operaon & Maintenance 

George Lomax, Sales Consultant 

Heath Consultants, Inc. 

A discussion of the various combusble gas indicators in 

common use today. CGI technologies include flame ionizaon, 

opcal methane detectors, and electronic sensor 

instrumentaon. The class includes theory of operaon, 

praccal field applicaons and limitaons of each type of 

technology. 

10:30 – 10:45 

Morning Break 

10:45 – 12:00 

GTI ‐ Asset LIFE CYCLE TRACKING and Traceability 

Program 

Paul Armstrong, Director Business Development 


This course will provide an overview of the GTI lead industry 

standardizaon effort to enable distribuon component tracking 

and traceability throughout the full life cycle of any distribuon 

component as well as enabling technologies to cost effecvely 

capture the component data and its CPS coordinates.

12:00 – 1:15 


1:15 – 2:15 

Corrosion Control Coangs ‐ Field Applied Liquids 

Wally Armstrong, Partner 

Liberty Sales and Distribuon 

This class will review the proper selecon, preparaon and 

applicaon of liquid coangs used on buried pipelines and 

atmospheric corrosion applicaons. Coangs to be discussed 

will include liquid epoxies, paints and specialty coangs. 

2:30 – 3:45 

District Regulaon Staon ‐ Operaons and 

Maintenance 

Patrick J. Callahan, President 

Celc Controls, Inc. 

This session will be an overview of the consideraons and 

issues when maintaining a District Regulator. The impact of 

them in cost control and operaons based upon recent 

changes, and customer needs. 

3:45 – 4:00 

Aernoon Break 

4:00 – 5:00 

“Fracking” ‐ An Industry Hot Topic 

Stephen J. Leahy, Vice President 

Northeast Gas Associaon 

Hydraulic fracturing has triggered the shale gas revoluon 

which has brought lower prices and greater domesc supplies 

of natural gas to the U.S. and regional market. It has also 

triggered an ongoing debate on environmental issues. This one 

‐hour session will highlight the key issues and trends 

surrounding “fracking.” 


DISTRIBUTION OPERATIONS TRACK 

21 


8:00—12:00 

Distribuon “Hands‐On” for 1st Timers 

Leak Repair & Pipe Cung 

Plasc Pipe Joining 

Mechanical Couplings 

Thermite Welding 

Raymond Boissonault, Technical Trainer 

Yankee Gas Services Company 

Michael Francis, Technical Trainer 

Columbia Gas of Massachuses 

Vito Zuschlag, Trainer 

NSTAR 

Students aending this all morning session will have the 

opportunity for “hands‐on” experience at a variety of 

distribuon related acvies. These include plasc pipe 

joining by electro fusion and heat fusion; the installaon of 

mechanical couplings; leak repair techniques; pipe cung; and 

thermite welding. 

The class is a round‐robin format that begins with a short 

presentaon and demonstraon. The class is structured for 

individuals who do not get the chance to perform this type of 

work ‐‐ First Timers! 

10:45—11:00 

Morning Break


8:00 – 9:15 

Line Locang & Mark‐Out ‐ Preparing for CT 21 


Eric Denslow, Technical Sales & Training 

Eastcom Associates, Inc. 

Ernie Grasso, Director of Training & Compliance 

New England Ulity Constructors, Inc. 

Skip Wright, Manager of Safety & QA/QC 

New England Ulity Constructors, Inc. 

Developing strong pipe locang skills is essenal to prevenng 

damage to underground facilies and operang safely and 

efficiently in our industry. 

Timely and accurate pipe line locang is a crical funcon that 

requires trained and operator qualified personnel. Through 

classroom presentaon, demonstraon and field applicaon 

the goal of this session will be to introduce the student to the 

locate and mark out process. It will touch on pipe locang 

theory, map and record review, pipe material locang 

characteriscs, marking procedures, grounding techniques, 

electronic locators and basic equipment operaon. 

Accurate pipe locang and mark out requires extensive hands‐ 

on pracce and pipe locang equipment, as well as experience 

interpreng each gas ulity’s mapping system. This class is 

aimed at introducing students to the skills and knowledge 

required for successful compleon of OQ Covered Task 21. 

9:15 – 9:30 

Morning Break 

9:30 – 10:45 

Line Locang & Mark‐Out 

Preparing for CT 21 

(Connued) 

11:00 – 12:30 


12:45 – 1:45 

Pinpoinng Underground Gas Leaks 

Ron Six, Senior Ulity Consultant 

AEGIS Insurance Services, Inc. 

Pinpoinng of gas leaks is one of the costliest, me consuming 

and somemes frustrang parts of the overall Leak Detecon 

Program. This session will discuss the proper procedures and 

techniques to use to help make the pinpoinng process more 

producve and hopefully help eliminate the costly “dry holes”. 


DISTRIBUTION OQ TRACK 

22 

. 

2:00 – 3:15 

Incident Invesgaon ‐ Post Accident Procedures 

Ron Six, Senior Ulity Consultant 


Natural gas related incidents are very rare at most gas 

companies. This session will discuss the proper acons to 

“MakeSafe” first and then discuss the steps to consider in 

order to conduct a detailed invesgaon. The “combuson 

chamber” will be used to demonstrate what happens during 

an explosion and some of the closed claims that AEGIS has 

been involved with will be used to demonstrate the need for a 

thorough invesgaon. 

3:15 – 3:30 

Aernoon Break 

3:30 – 4:30 

Incident Invesgaon ‐ Case Studies 

Tony Teo, Senior Ulity Consultant 


This session will examine actual gas ulity incidents, some 

caused by human error, and the lessons that can be learned 

from them. 


8:00 ‐ 9:00 




9:15 ‐‐ 10:30 

Corrosion Control OQ ‐ Topics Anode Installaon, 

Coang Inspecon & Repair ‐‐ TASKS 11, 12, 14, 16, 17, 

23 and 24 


Steve Montemarano, Senior Supervisor, Corrosion Control 

Naonal Grid 

This session will go through the training requirement for 

anode handling & installaon, inspecon, recordkeeping of 

exposed steel pipe coang data, and coang repair prior to 

backfill. 

The OQ Tasks covered by this training are 11, 12, 14, 16, 17, 

23 and 24.

9:15 – 9:30 

Morning Break 

10:45 ‐‐ 12:00 

Corrosion Control OQ ‐ Topics Anode Installaon, 

Coang Inspecon & Repair ‐‐ TASKS 11, 12, 14, 16, 17, 

23 and 24 

(Connued) 

12:00 – 1:15 


1:15 – 2:15 

Plasc Pipe Joining ‐ Classroom and Demonstraons 

TASKS 50, 51, 52 

Ray Boissonault, Training Operaons 


Steven W. Joslyn, Training Operaons Support 

Conneccut Natural Gas Corp. 

The methods of plasc pipe joining for new construcon and 

the repair of exisng pipe will be discussed. Class topics 

include: 

Material properes of plasc pipe 

Proper pipe and fing preparaon 

Heat fusion joining methods (Bu fusion/Electro fusion) 

Mechanical joining methods 

All will include demonstraons 

This class will be both theory and demonstraon based on 

covering OQ Tasks 50, 51, and 52 

2:30 – 3:45 


TASKS 50, 51, 52 

(Connued) 

3:45 – 4:00 

Aernoon Break 

4:00 – 5:00 


TASKS 50, 51, 52 

(Connued) 


DISTRIBUTION OQ TRACK 

23 


8:00 – 9:15 

Hot Tapping, Bypassing & Stopping; Purging & Pressure 

Tesng ‐‐ TASKS 35, 36, 37 & 39 

(Triple Session) 

Sco Mara, Applicaon Specialist 

Kerr Engineered Sales Company 

Rich Niles, Regional Account Manager 

Mueller Company 

This class will give the theory and knowledge behind proper 

methods of tapping, stopping, and by‐passing live gas mains. 

T.D. Williamson and Mueller methods will be discussed and 

demonstrated. The focus will primarily be on covered tasks 

35, 36, 37 and 39, and parts of others tasks may be touched 

upon.



GAS SUPPLY, STORAGE, TRANSMISSION TRACK 

8:00 – 9:15 

Introducon to Gas Supply & Control 

Daniel Piche, Emergency Planning Manager 

Naonal Grid 

This session will provide an overview of how natural gas enters 

the local distribuon company’s (LDC) distribuon system and is 

redirected by the Gas Control department within the distribuon 

system to end‐users. Learn the basics of how the typical LDC Gas 

Supply department assembles a balanced supply porolio 

through firm and interrupble contracts, and how the influx of 

new supply opons from shale gas to LNG, may impact supply 

management in the coming years. 

9:15 – 9:30 

Morning Break 

9:30 – 10:45 

SCADA Communicaons from the Field to the Screen 

Bill Kilroy, Gas Supply Field Supervisor 

Steve Healey, Senior System Control Analyst 

NSTAR Electric and Gas 

This class will cover some of the requirements for Tasks 59 & 

60 of the NGA Operator Qualificaon program. The class will 

discuss how SCADA communicates and controls remotely to 

maintain adequate flow and pressure to customers. This will 

include monitoring flow and pressure indicators, responding 

to alarms, and opening and closing valves remotely. Students 

will learn the funconality of various types of telemetering 

devices, transducers and RTUs. Discussions will also include 

the different ways companies are communicang, whether it 

be hard wire circuits, cellular, radio, or satellite, and the 

advantages of each. 

11:00 – 12:30 


24 

12:45 – 1:45 

Basics of Field Monitoring and Controlling of Pressure 

and Flow 

Sco Laplante, Manager, Pressure Management 


This class on monitoring and controlling covers Tasks 59 and 60 

of the NGA Operaon Qualificaon program. The class will 

cover some of the field aspects of controlling flow and 

pressure. Students will learn some of the basic funconality of 

pressure regulators, over pressure protecon devices, heaters, 

gauges, and different types of valves. Students will be given 

scenarios to solve various situaons which occur in a 

distribuon system. Hands‐on demonstraon of pressure 

sengs, relief valves, and abnormal regulator condions. 

2:00 – 3:15 

Control Room Management 

Keith Rooney, Manager of Gas Control, NY State 

Naonal Grid 

Control room management is a key 

part of basic gas system 

operaons. This session will 

present the funcons of gas 

control in a distribuon company, 

and the steps being taken by ulies to address PHMSA’s CRM 

rule, from fague management to alarm monitoring. 

3:15 – 3:30 

Aernoon Break 

3:30 – 4:30 

Gas Transmission ‐ Wellhead to City Gate 

Robert Bocock, Engineering Supervisor 

Spectra Energy Transmission 

This course will focus on how the gas commodity travels from 

producon area to the City Gate. Discussion will include how 

producon fields funcon and how the supply gets to the 

pipelines. Students will learn the funcons of compressor 

staons, effects of storage injecons and withdrawals, and 

how transmission companies use line pack. Also included will 

be informaon on how LNG deliveries are crical to New 

England supplies and how supplies from the north have 

affected overall pipeline performance.


9:15 AM sharp! — Bus Transfer 

Bus Transportaon to the Massachuses Firefighng 

Academy in Stow, MA 

Thursday’s classes for this track will be held at the 

Massachuses Firefighng Academy. 50 is the Limit. Lunch 

will be provided at MFA. All registrants must pre‐register 

for this special all‐day field trip. 

10:00 — 12:00 

Demonstraon at Massachuses Firefighng Academy 

Norman Seymour, Coordinator 

Michael Gurnick, Assistant Coordinator 

Massachuses Firefighng Academy 

Demonstraon of best pracce firefighng taccs to control 

LNG vapor and liquid releases and suppressing LNG fires. 

Several props will simulate (1) a street level liquid release, a 

“burn back” of the released product; (2) fire suppression of 

an LNG containment pit; and (3) approach and suppression of 

an LNG plumbing flange fire; trainees at the demonstraon 

are in current Recruit training at MFA. 

12:00 – 12:30 

Lunch at Massachuses Fire Academy 



Mass Fire Academy—LNG Program 

The Massachuses Fire Academy (MFA) has been partnering with the Northeast Gas 

Associaon for over 20 years to deliver LNG training for industry personnel and fire‐ 

fighters. The MFA’s Stow, MA facility was designed with over 10 hands‐on props to 

give students a live feel of an LNG emergency and what it takes to handle these emer‐ 

gencies. For the first me, we are offering GOS aendees an opportunity to learn about LNG and see first‐hand 

how firefighters handle various LNG emergencies. You will see firefighters bale an LNG fire and what they 

must use to contain it, and more. This is an experience you will never forget! 

Pre‐registraon is required. Parcipaon is limited. 

25 

1:15 — 2:15 

LNG Operaons & Safety Pracces 

John Lamb, Senior Engineer 

CHI Engineering Services, Inc. 

This session will discuss the hazardous properes of LNG, 

methods of controlling spills, fire exnguishments and 

exposure protecon. Demonstraons of the properes of 

LNG and its effects and proper handling techniques will be 

included. 

2:30 – 5:00 

LNG Plant Tour 

Renie Janigian, Plant Manager 

Air Products & Chemicals 

The LNG Plant Tour will take place at the NSTAR facility 

located in Hopkinton, MA. Students will learn how an actual 

LNG plant operates. The tour will include control room 

operaon, truck loading and unloading techniques, 

vaporizers, liquefiers, safety equipment, security systems, and 

all facets of plant operaon. Also included will be a demo of 

the new Micro Turbine recently commissioned at the plant 

which will ulize gas normally flared off to the atmosphere for 

fuel to generate power to be used within the facility. 

Space is limited and security measures are involved, so you must be 

pre‐registered to parcipate in this tour. Be sure to check off the tour 

on the registraon form. Also, you must reconfirm at registraon 

check‐in. Proper are is required.


. 

8:00 – 9:15 

Influences in the Natural Gas Markets & Pricing 

Vance Waller, Vice President 

Summit Energy Services, Inc. 

Natural Gas ‐ All It’s Fracked Up to Be! 

This course will present the state of affairs of natural gas supply 

in the United States and its increased presence in the coming 

years. The course explores the different components of natural 

gas pricing, supply and demand, and the ever increasing 

importance of “shale gas” and internaonal LNG. Aenon will 

also be given to the longer term ancipated prominence of 

natural gas in electricity generaon, transportaon, and more. 

Is the Pickens plan on target? Is a second bubble of our lifemes 

upon us? This course will help us gain a perspecve of life with 

our favorite fuel in newfound abundance. 

9:30—10:45 

Weather Forecasng and How it is used to Predict Gas 

Load 

Rich Wilson 

Telvent DTN Inc. 

Rich from Telvent, a naonal weather informaon provider, will 

discuss some of the new technology used in weather 

forecasng. Discussion will include advances in weather 

forecasng techniques and what is now offered in the industry. 

Weather paerns over the last year will be reviewed and 

predicons of future trends will be looked at. Following the 

weather forecasng overview, the discussion will focus on how 

LDCs use the weather informaon to predict gas loads. 

10:45—11:00 

Morning Break 

11:00—12:00 

Supply Agreements ‐ Tariffs and Contracts 

Thomas Chizinski, Director ‐ Corporate Engineering 

Conneccut Natural Gas Corp. and The Southern Conneccut 

Gas Company 

A review of the typical things you’ll find in a gas pipeline tariff or 

contract for pipelines serving the Northeast area, including a 

discussion of typical gas quality provisions in those tariffs. 



26


8:00 – 9:15 

Sizing & Selecon of Gas Mains and Services 

Michael Garvey, Vice President Business Development 

EN Engineering, LLC 

The art of sizing and selecng natural gas mains and services 

has been performed for many years. The instructor will go 

over the history of this funcon and familiarize students with 

the current tools being used. Terms such as “degree days”, 

“system load”, SMYS, and MAOP will be defined and expanded 

upon. 

9:15 – 9:30 

Morning Break 

9:30 – 10:45 

Residenal & Commercial Regulators ‐ Sizing and 

Selecon 

Jason Rosen, Technical Specialist 

Follin Flo‐Controls 

This class will include a quick overview of gas pressure 

regulators ‐ touching on the basics of operaon, types of 

regulators (lever acng, direct acng, pilot loaded), as well as 

types of overpressure protecon (relief, internal monitor, 

operator/monitor, etc.). Cutaways will be present as well as a 

demonstraon bench for hands‐on training. This is an 

intermediate level class and requires some knowledge of 

pressure regulaon. 

11:00 – 12:30 


12:45 – 1:45 

Meters ‐ Sizing & Selecon 

Robert Benne, Manager, Field Services 

Elster Meter Services 

This session will cover the types of meters available, their 

capacies and operang characteriscs, installaon 

requirements, and maintenance procedures. The students will 

have to select and design a metering assembly using several 

scenarios such as different loads and operang pressures. 


SYSTEM DESIGN TRACK 

27 

2:00 – 3:15 

Distribuon System Modeling 

Steve Caliri, Principal Engineer 

Naonal Grid 

Julie Pocaro, Project Manager 

CHA Engineering 

The development of computer based gas distribuon 

modeling is a key component in the day to day operaons of a 

gas ulity. In this class you will learn how the model can 

mimic gas flow loads and idenfy bolenecks and low 

pressure points. The instructors will cover “what if?” 

evaluaons for closed valves and emergency shut downs and 

changes in supply and demand forecasts. 

3:15 – 3:30 

Aernoon Break 

3:30 – 4:30 

Main Replacement Program Best Pracces 

Les Goodman, Vice President Business Unit Leader 

EN Engineering, LLC 

Many factors are considered when deciding to repair or 

replace a natural gas main. These include, but are not limited 

to, the number of leaks in a given area over a certain amount 

of me, the age of the main, and the material of which the 

main is constructed. Some mes outside factors will warrant 

main replacement such as “the town is opening the street to 

replace the sewer” or “the town is planning on re‐paving”. 

The instructor will detail many of these factors including cost 

breakdowns. 


8:00 ‐ 9:00 




9:15 – 9:30 

Morning Break

9:15 ‐‐ 10:30 

Fundamentals of District Regulator Design 

James P. Davis, Principal Engineer 

Sco Laplante, Manager, Pressure Management 


This course will outline the fundamental steps necessary to 

begin and complete a district regulator staon design. It will 

focus on the techniques used to develop target locaons and 

the subsequent designs. Also covered ‐ replacements and 

new installaons, offering both the engineering and field 

maintenance perspecve. 

10:45 ‐‐ 12:00 

Gate Staon Design 1 

Patrick J. Callahan, President 

Celc Controls, Inc. 

An overview of the consideraons and issues when designing 

a Gate Staon; including cost control and construcon based 

upon recent technology changes and customer needs. 

12:00 – 1:15 


1:15 ‐‐ 2:15 

Gate Staon Design 2 

(Connued) 

2:30 ‐‐ 3:45 

High Pressure, High Volume Gate Staon Measurement 

Peter Kucmas, Senior Engineer 

Instromet Ultrasonic/American Meter 

The Instructor will cover the history of gate staon 

measurement from orifice plates through turbine meters and 

ultrasonic meters. Great detail will be provided on the 

features and benefits of all technologies including reference to 

AGA documentaon regarding custody transfer measurement. 

3:45 – 4:00 

Aernoon Break 

 


SYSTEM DESIGN TRACK 

28 

4:00 ‐‐ 5:00 

Cathodic Protecon System Design 

Denis L. Rossi, Corrosion Engineer 

New England CP, Inc. 

This session will cover Galvanic Anode and Impressed Current 

CP Systems. 

Topics Include: 

Soil tesng 

Piping system age and coang integrity 

System isolaon 

CP current requirements 

Test staons 

Galvanic anode sizing and placement 

Recfier sizing and ground bed site selecon 

Power source 

Interference tesng 


8:00 – 9:15 

Materials for Cathodic Protecon & Electric Isolaon 

Michael Pieciuk, Corrosion Control Coordinator‐Gas 


This class will be a synopsis of the necessity of electrically 

isolang segments of pipe; focusing on the theory, 

specificaons and various applicaons that are ulized within 

the corrosion control. 

9:30—10:45 

Field to Control Room ‐ Hands‐on 

Greg Clement, Liberty Ulies 

John Doherty, John Orlando, and Dave O’Reilley 

Naonal Grid 

In this session, students will be able to witness the interacon 

between field pressure and flow control adjustments and gas 

dispatch through SCADA by adjusng a live instrumented 

regulator staon and meter setup. Flow computers, pressure 

transmier meters, and regulators will be air actuated with 

this live “hands‐on” 

demonstraon. 

10:45—11:00 

Morning Break 

11:00—12:00 

Field to Control Room ‐ 

Hands‐on (Connued)

*HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS & SUITES 

(former Comfort Suites) 

1010 Douglas Pike 


(401) 231‐6300 

*COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT 

636 George Washington Hwy. 

Lincoln, RI 02865 

(401) 333‐3400 

*HAMPTON INN & SUITES 

945 Douglas Pike 


(401) 232‐9200 

*NGA Room Block available 

with group rate pricing 


AREA HOTELS 

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS & 

SUITES 

194 Forn Drive 

Woonsocket, RI 02895 

(401) 769‐5000 

From $125.00 

15 minutes from Campus 

MARRIOTT PROVIDENCE 

Downtown 

One Orms Street 

Providence, RI 02904 

(401) 401‐272‐2400 

COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT 

PROVIDENCE 

32 Exchange Terrace—Memorial Blvd. 


(401) 272‐1191 

15 minutes from campus 

THE WESTIN HOTEL 

1 West Exchange Street 


(401) 598‐8000 

rates vary depending on occupancy level 


PROVIDENCE BILTMORE 

HOTEL 


(401) 421‐0700 


HILTON DOWNTOWN 

21 Atwells Avenue 


(401) 831‐3900 


29 

SEASONS INN & SUITES 


MOTEL 6 

20 Jefferson Boulevard 

Warwick, RI 02888 

(401) 467‐9800 


BEST WESTERN 

2138 Post Road 


(401) 737‐7400 


SHERATON PROVIDENCE 

AIRPORT HOTEL 



(401) 738‐4000 


RADISSON AIRPORT HOTEL 



HAMPTON INN & SUITES 

58 Weybosset Street 


(401) 608‐3500 

20 minutes from campus

2013 Course Guide (working doc).pub - Northeast Gas Association

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