Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024
Section 150-4-7 - Standards of Quality of Service7.1. Heating value requirements. 7.1.1. Minimum heating value -- The minimum average monthly heating value of any gas delivered into a distribution system shall not be less than one thousand (1,000) Btu per cubic foot for gas transported into West Virginia. When gas produced within this State has a heating value of less than one thousand (1,000) Btu per cubic foot, the utility shall furnish the Commission an analysis of the gas along with any other information the Commission may desire, prior to the delivery of the gas into a distribution system.7.1.2. Extraction of hydrocarbons -- No gas treated for the extraction of hydrocarbons shall be delivered for distribution where the heating value has been reduced lower than one thousand (1,000) Btu per cubic foot.7.1.3. Reports to Commission. 7.1.3.a. Each utility shall report to the Commission, annually the average heating value of its gas delivered into its system.7.1.3.b. A utility whose natural gas is treated by itself or others for the extraction of hydrocarbons shall report to the Commission the extractions in accordance with the Uniform System of Accounts as prescribed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Account Nos. 770 through 791.7.1.3.c. A utility whose natural gas is treated for the extraction of hydrocarbons shall report to the Commission the annual average heating value and specific gravity of the gas entering and leaving each extraction plant.7.1.4. Method of determining heating value. 7.1.4.a. Each utility shall determine the average heating value of its gas by calorimeter, A. J. W. Headlee formula or other approved methods.7.1.4.b. Determination of heating value shall be made of gas drawn from parts of the distribution system or pipelines remote from the laboratory, with such frequency and in such manner as is necessary to establish the average monthly heating value.7.1.4.c. The heating value shall be the total heating value expressed at 14.73 psi absolute pressure and saturated with water vapor when determined by calorimeter or chemical analysis.7.1.4.d. Calorimeter accuracy, as well as the method of determining heating value, shall be subject to the approval of a designated representative of the Commission.7.1.5. Record of tests. 7.1.5.a. Each utility shall adopt a standard form for recording the results of heating value tests. Each determination of heating value shall be recorded originally upon the form adopted for that purpose, and the records shall be retained for a period of three (3) years. Where heating value is determined by an approved type recording calorimeter or recording gravitometer, the charts removed from such calorimeter or gravitometer will be deemed sufficient to comply with this rule.7.1.5.b. It is not the intent of this rule that recording calorimeters or recording gravitometers be installed but the method of determining the average heating value shall be approved by a representative of the Commission.7.2. Purity requirements. 7.2.1. All natural gas distributed in this State shall be free from dangerous or objectionable quantities of impurities such as hydrogen sulphide, nitrogen or other combustible or noncombustible, noxious, or toxic gases, or other impurities. A gas shall be considered free from undesirable impurities when the quantity of any impurity present is within the limits recognized as allowable in good practice.7.3. Gas pressure requirements. 7.3.1. Pressure districts -- A utility shall divide the territory served by it into pressure districts and shall specify for each district or for the territory as a whole (which will then be regarded as a single district) the maximum pressure to be maintained within that district. The pressure adopted must be filed with the Commission.7.3.2. Maximum pressure -- The maximum pressure specified for any district shall not be greater than 15 inches (8.5 ozs.) of water column.7.3.3. Minimum pressure -- The pressure at the outlet of any low-pressure customer's meter shall never be less than one half of the maximum pressure specified for the district in which the meter is located. In no case shall the minimum pressure be less than 3.5 inches (2 ozs.) of water column, unless due to insufficient capacity of the customer service piping.7.3.4. Changing pressure districts -- After notifying the Commission, the utility may be at liberty to change the maximum pressure for any district with the provision that when any such change is made, all customer's appliances located within the territory for which the specified maximum is changed shall, if necessary, be readjusted by and at the expense of the utility.7.3.5. Exceptions. 7.3.5.a. Higher pressures may be allowed by the Commission in exceptional cases after the presentation of factual data showing that adequate service cannot be supplied with existing facilities, and that it is impractical to make the necessary changes immediately. In all such cases the utility shall formulate a plan for eliminating the high pressure condition as soon as practical and economically possible.7.3.5.b. A utility supplying gas shall not be deemed to have violated the provisions of this rule if it can be shown that variations from said pressures are due to: 7.3.5.b.1. Use of gas by the customer in violation of contract or rules of the utility or Commission.7.3.5.b.2. Infrequent fluctuations of short duration due to unavoidable conditions of operation.7.3.6. Pressure gauges -- Every utility shall maintain and operate, on the low pressure side of each district regulatory serving fifty or more customers, at least one recording gas pressure gauge of suitable range. When more than one regulator is used to serve a single pressure district, recording pressure gauges need not be installed for each regulator. However, a sufficient number of recording pressure gauges shall be installed and operated in each distribution system to furnish a continuous record of the pressure prevailing in all parts of the plant.7.3.7. Pressure surveys -- Every utility shall make at least one pressure survey during the period of peak load (December, January or February) each year on each of its distribution plants. The pressures recorded shall be the pressures prevailing at the outlet of customers' meters in districts where the lowest pressures prevail. These records shall be available to representatives of the Commission at all times, and shall be preserved for a period of three years. The Commission may, in addition, require the utility to file a summary report of the pressure survey each year.7.4. Measurement of gas under high pressure. 7.4.1. Pressure-recording equipment required -- When gas is measured through displacement meters at a pressure greater than standard distribution pressure, such meters shall be equipped with reliable pressure-volume recording gauges or other devices for accurately determining in accordance with contract or other tariff provisions the quantity of gas that has passed through the meter.7.4.2. Determination of multiplier -- In computing the volume of gas on a given pressure base from a pressure volume chart, the multiplier shall be obtained by the weighted average method, which method consists of determining the average pressure for each unit volume indicated on the chart.7.4.3. Determination of static and differential pressure. 7.4.3.a. In computing the volume of gas at a given pressure base from an orifice meter chart, or charts, the average static pressure and the average differential pressure shall be determined for periods not exceeding one (1) hour; and where pressure variations are extreme during the hour, such average should be determined for fifteen (15) minute intervals.7.4.3.b. Mechanical devices may be substituted for the above manual method of computing orifice meter charts.7.5. Special rules for utilities furnishing manufactured or mixed gas. 7.5.1. Calorimeter equipment and laboratory. 7.5.1.a. Calorimeter required -- Each utility selling manufactured or mixed gas shall provide and maintain a calorimeter of an approved type, and all necessary accessories therefore, unless provision is otherwise made, with the approval of the Commission, for the regular determination of the heating value of the gas sold.7.5.1.b. Location of calorimeter -- The calorimeter shall be installed in a laboratory, or other building, so located as to ensure that thoroughly mixed, stabilized, and representative samples of the gas, delivered to the customers, are used for the tests.7.5.1.c. Calorimeter accuracy -- The accuracy of all calorimeters, as well as the methods of making heating value tests, shall be subject to the approval of a designated representative of the Commission.7.5.1.d. Additional test -- Determinations of heating value shall be made of gas drawn from parts of the distribution system or pipelines remote from the laboratory with such frequency and in such manner as is necessary to establish the stability of the gas or for other test purposes.7.5.2. Heating value tests. 7.5.2.a. Frequency of tests -- Every utility selling manufactured gas, or a mixture of manufactured and natural gas, or a gas obtained by thermal treatment or other process for modifying the composition of natural gas, shall determine the heating value of the gas distributed to its customers daily or more frequently if necessary or required by the Commission.7.5.2.b. Records of tests -- Each utility shall adopt a standard form for recording the results of heating value tests. Each determination of heating value shall be recorded originally upon the form adopted for that purpose, and the records shall be retained for such period as the Commission may designate. Where heating value is determined by an approved type recording calorimeter, the charts removed from such a calorimeter, will be deemed sufficient to comply with this rule. The average heating value for each day and the monthly average heating value determined by these tests shall be recorded. These records must not be destroyed without Commission approval.7.5.3. Heating value requirements. 7.5.3.a. Authorized standard of heating value -- The monthly average heating value of the gas furnished by each utility supplying manufactured or mixed gas in each community or territory served shall be not less than the standard heating value authorized by the Commission for the utility in that community. Unless otherwise ordered by the Commission, the authorized standard for each community shall be the standard of heating value currently in effect and approved by the Commission for the community. The authorized standard shall be subject to change at the option of the utility under the following conditions: 7.5.3.a.1. The Commission shall be notified in writing of the intention to change the standard of heating value. The notification shall be accompanied by a complete statement of the reasons for making the change, and by all available data regarding the cost and character of any alterations to plant, process, or materials used, which will be involved in the change.7.5.3.a.2. No change of standard shall take effect, and no expenditures shall be incurred for the alteration of plant or equipment for the purpose of supplying gas at the new proposed standard until the Commission shall have approved the change of standard, or until thirty (30) days after the notification, data and schedules required by this rule shall have been submitted to the Commission. However, the provisions of this rule shall not be interpreted as forbidding expenditures for engineering services, experimental or development work needed to determine the character and cost of the proposed change.7.5.3.a.3. The utility shall make, without charge to its customers, such adjustments and replacement of appliance parts as may be necessary to ensure all customers as safe, efficient and satisfactory service after the change of standard before.7.5.3.b. Average heating value -- To obtain the average total heating value of a gas, the results of all tests of heating value made on any day shall be averaged, and the average of all the daily averages shall be taken as the monthly average: Provided, that in cases of unusual difficulty in maintaining uniformity of heating value, the daily and monthly weighted averages shall be determined if the variations exceed five percent (5%) above or below the authorized standard.7.5.3.c. Maximum and minimum limits -- The heating value of the gas shall be maintained with as little deviation as practicable; and to this end the weighted average total heating value on any one day should not fall below the monthly authorized standard by more than five percent (5%). Variations above the approved standard heating value will be allowed; provided the gases are interchangeable as determined by application of the interchangeability rule of the American Gas Association.7.5.3.d. Heating value of gas transported -- The heating value of gas which is compressed for transmission shall be determined after compression and cooling to a temperature approximately equal to the temperature of the transmission mains. Where gas is distributed to difference territories at different pressures, which result in more than negligible differences in condensation, the territories will be considered to be served with gases of difference heating values.7.5.3.e. Stability of gas -- No utility shall distribute gas which contains combustible constituents which will condense under the conditions of its distribution to the extent of more than three percent (3%) of the total heating value of the gas. Periodic tests shall be made to determine compliance with this requirement.7.5.4. Purity requirements -- All manufactured gas distributed in this State shall be free from dangerous or objectionable quantities of impurities such as hydrogen sulphide, nitrogen or other combustible or noncombustible, noxious, or toxic gases, or other impurities. A gas shall be considered free from undesirable impurities when the quantity of any impurity present is within the limits recognized as allowable in good practice.7.5.5. Tests of purity. 7.5.5.a. Each utility supplying manufactured or mixed gas shall test the gas daily for the presence of hydrogen sulphide by an approved method.7.5.5.b. Each utility selling more than 100,000,000 cubic feet of manufactured or mixed gas per year shall provide and maintain such apparatus and facilities as are necessary for the determination of total sulphur and ammonia in the gas; and each such utility shall periodically (preferably semimonthly) determine the amount of total sulphur and ammonia in the gas distributed by it, and shall keep a record of the results of all such tests: Provided, however, that any such utility supplying only water, gas or oil, or mixture of these, shall not be required to provide apparatus for or make determinations of the amount of ammonia in the gas.