Fort Collins Pipeline Reliability: Odorization, Pickling and Safety Solutions
- Mitch
- Dec 29, 2025
- 4 min read
Natural Gas Safety in Fort Collins: A Growing Priority
Fort Collins is a city that blends natural beauty with innovation. From the scenic trails near Horsetooth Reservoir to the lively streets of Old Town and the academic energy of Colorado State University, the region thrives on reliable infrastructure. Natural gas plays a vital role in powering homes, businesses, and industrial facilities across the city. But here’s the challenge: natural gas is odorless in its raw state, which means leaks could go undetected without proper odorization.
At Burgess Pipeline Services, we specialize in natural gas odorization systems, pipeline pickling, and mercaptan odor control to ensure safety, compliance, and operational efficiency for every pipeline in Fort Collins.
Why Is Natural Gas Odorless?
Natural gas primarily consists of methane, a colorless and odorless gas. Without an added scent, leaks pose serious hazards. That’s why federal regulations (49 CFR 192.625) require odorization before distribution. The solution? Mercaptan, a sulfur-based compound that gives natural gas its distinctive smell.
Key Facts
Methane is naturally odorless and colorless.
Odorization is required for public safety.
Mercaptan is the most common odorant used in natural gas systems.
What Is Added to Natural Gas to Make It Smell?
Mercaptan is injected into the gas stream using specialized odorization equipment. Our natural gas odorant injection systems ensure precise dosing, preventing odor fade and maintaining safety even at low flow rates.
Benefits of Proper Odorization
Immediate leak detection by smell.
Compliance with federal and state regulations.
Enhanced safety for residential and industrial customers.
Advanced Odorization Solutions for Fort Collins Pipelines
Burgess Pipeline Services offers cutting-edge solutions for odorization and pipeline conditioning:
Our Core Services
Natural gas odorizer systems for consistent odorant injection.
Odorant tanks and containment systems for environmental safety.
Mercaptan injection systems for accurate dosing.
Pipeline pickling services to remove oxygen, moisture, and contaminants before commissioning.
Whether your pipeline serves residential areas near Spring Creek Trail or industrial facilities along Harmony Road, we ensure optimal performance.
Pipeline Pickling and Conditioning: Why It’s Critical
Before a pipeline enters service, it must be properly conditioned. Our pipeline pickling services remove impurities that cause corrosion and operational issues.
Benefits of Pipeline Pickling
Extended pipeline life.
Optimized gas flow.
Regulatory compliance.
Pickling gas lines is essential for Fort Collins’ growing infrastructure, especially as new developments expand toward the foothills.
How Odorization Systems Work
Odorization systems are designed to inject odorant into natural gas streams at precise rates. Key components include:
Odorant storage tanks with secondary containment.
Injection pumps for controlled dosing.
Flow meters for monitoring gas and odorant levels.
Safety valves to prevent over-odorization.
Compliance and Safety Standards
Federal regulations require odorization for all natural gas distributed to end-users. Burgess Pipeline Services ensures compliance with:
49 CFR 192.625 – Odorization of Gas.
ASTM standards for odorant handling.
Secondary containment requirements for odorant tanks.
Odorization Challenges at Low Flow Rates
Low flow conditions can cause odor fade, reducing the effectiveness of leak detection. Our systems are engineered to maintain consistent odorant levels even during low demand periods.
Solutions for Low Flow Odorization
Precision injection pumps.
Automated monitoring systems.
Real-time adjustments to maintain compliance.
Local Insight: Fort Collins Landmarks
Our work supports the entire Fort Collins community—from neighborhoods near Horsetooth Reservoir to the vibrant energy of CSU’s campus. While we don’t operate at landmarks, mentioning them reinforces local relevance and demonstrates our understanding of the region.
Common Questions About Natural Gas Odorization
Is natural gas odorless?
Yes, methane is naturally odorless, which is why odorization is required.
What smell is added to natural gas?
Mercaptan—a sulfur-based compound—is added to give natural gas its distinctive odor.
Why would a gas be described as odorless?
Because gases like methane lack any natural scent, making odorization essential for safety.
What gives natural gas its smell?
Mercaptan injection during distribution.
Pipeline Optimization and Flow Analysis
Beyond odorization, Burgess Pipeline Services provides pipeline optimization and gas piping analysis to maximize efficiency. Our advanced technology ensures:
Better control of bypass gas flow.
Optimized gas pipeline performance.
Compliance with odorization standards.
Case Study: Improving Odorization in Northern Colorado
A regional operator near Fort Collins faced odor fade issues during seasonal low flow periods. Burgess Pipeline Services implemented:
Automated odorant injection systems.
Secondary containment for odorant tanks.
Real-time monitoring for compliance.
Result: 100% compliance and improved safety across the network.
Why Choose Burgess Pipeline Services?
Decades of expertise in odorization and pipeline conditioning.
Custom solutions for every pipeline configuration.
24/7 support for emergency odorization and mercaptan odor control.
Additional FAQs
Does methane have an odor?
No, methane is odorless.
What type of chemical is added to natural gas to give its distinct odor?
Mercaptan, typically ethyl mercaptan.
When was odor added to natural gas?
After the 1937 New London school explosion, regulations mandated odorization.
What does mercaptan smell like?
It has a strong sulfur-like odor, similar to rotten eggs.
Contact Us Today
Ready to optimize your pipeline operations in Fort Collins?
Call us at 323-609-5009, email us, or use our live chat for immediate assistance.
