Construction of offshore California's Pitas Point gas pipeline in Santa Barbara Channel

Completed in December 1983, California's Pitas Point 12-in. submarine gas pipeline is designed to ultimately transport 65.5 million SCF/day of sweet natural gas at a maximum operating pressure of 1480 psig and temperature of 100/sup 0/F. The pipeline construction demonstrated several noteworthy features, including installation of a subsea crossing ramp over a foreign pipe bundle, pipestring tow and pull along the centerline of a subsea ramp, installation of a temporary pipe launchway structure to facilitate the pipe pull from the top of a 40-ft bluff, and a pipe shore approach in a casing bored through the bluff. The Pitas Point line was constructed in a manner compatible with the local ecological requirements and with no impact upon fishing and trawling activities in the area.