Compressor Stations

The production of natural gas from a well and its distribution into transmission pipelines both require the gas be under pressure.  At the well site the gas must be under pressure to flow from underground to the surface well head.  Where the gas enters a gathering pipeline it must be under greater pressure than the pipeline to insure that there is no backflow out of the pipeline.  A technology known as “compression” is used to insure sufficient pressure in each case.     

 Compression consists of a motorized compressor, very similar to a massive air conditioning unit, that takes in gas and mechanically compresses it to create a higher pressure.  The “motorized” unit usually consists of a diesel engine or electric motor that runs on a 24 hour basis, 7 days as week.  It is the noise from these motors that can disrupt surrounding landowners and potentially affect their quality of life.  The compression machinery also adds additional safety concerns and risks to the gas production process. 

A compressor “station” consists of several compressor units running together on one site, supplying the compression needs of several wells, gathering or transmission pipelines, or both.  These stations and the machinery involved, may be left exposed or be completely enclosed inside a structure.

Presentations


Helpful Links

Partial listing of relevant City of Fort Worth Code provisions:

City of Fort Worth Code

Part II:  Code

  Appendix A:  Zoning Regulations

     Chapter 5:  Supplemental Use Standards

5.140 Utility Transmission Tower or Distribution Line; Natural Gas Compressor Stations

1.   Utility transmission tower or distribution line.

A.  Location
Utility transmission towers and distribution lines and supporting structures owned and/or operated by the City, county, or public utility companies, which are necessary for the furnishing of utility services, are permitted in all districts.

B.  Accessory Uses
The following are permitted as accessory uses in all districts.

A.  Communication antennas that are mounted on and supported by utility transmission towers, provided that no communication antenna shall extend more than 12 feet above the highest point of the tower; and 

B.  Auxiliary structures housing electronic communications equipment which is necessary for the operation of communication antennas established pursuant to Paragraph 1 above.

C.  Exemption from Height Requirements
District height requirements shall not apply to:

A.  Utility transmission towers and distribution lines and supporting structures;

B.  Communication antennas established in compliance with B.1. above.

2.   Natural Gas Compressor Stations

A.  Compressor Stations

A.  Shall be allowed by right in "AG" Agricultural, "I" Light Industrial, "J" Medium Industrial and "K" Heavy Industrial Districts and in all by Special Exception.

B.  All compressor station-equipment, at the issuance of the initial certificate of occupancy, shall be set back a minimum of 300 feet from any residence, school, church, hospital, or occupied buildings.

C.  The compressor site shall be enclosed by a six-foot security fence.

D.  The pre-installation ambient noise level shall be established by the applicant and certified by the City Gas Inspector.  No compressor station shall operate in any manner as to create any exterior noise level to exceed 5 dBA over the established ambient during daylight hours or 3 dBA over the established ambient during night time hours as measured at the sensitive receiver's/receptor's property line or 100 feet from the protected uses, whichever is closer to the receiver/receptor.

E.  Each permit shall require that the ambient noise level be re-monitored and checked by the Gas Drilling Inspector.

F.  All facilities shall be inspected by the Fire Marshal for compliance with relative Fire Codes and the Gas Inspector prior to the issue of a Certificate of Occupancy by the Building Official.

G.  One, three inch caliper tree shall be planted every 50 linear feet along the property line abutting a public right of way.

H.  All equipment, other than condensation tanks and other non-mechanical support equipment, that faces and is located in or within 600' of residentially used property or visible from the public right-of-way shall be screened from public view by appropriate landscaping, berming, structure or wall constructed of metal, masonry or other structurally sound material as approved by the Director of Planning and Development that significantly screens the equipment and is painted in a non-contrasting soft earth tone color to match the nearby surroundings as nearly as possible.

PLEASE NOTE: The FWLNA is not equipped, not does it intend, to offer legal advice in any manner. We are here to educate. The final decision on this issue rests with you and your neighborhoods.