Tamworth natural gas pipeline to be flared as company inspects inside wall

The flare at Westdale will be fired six times as an intelligent device called a pig analyses the inside wall of the pipeline, that supplies gas to about 3400 customers.

While there are no health impacts, the flares are loud and nearby residents have been alerted, an APA spokesman said.

"We will try to restrict to the daytime, however, one instance may run for 30 continous hours," he said.

"The flare will be manned throughout the operation, complete with firefighting equipment.

"The local council, fire and emergency authorities are aware of the operation, however, with the controls that will be in place, including the location of the flare in relation to vegetation, the risk of any secondary fires is considered very unlikely."

Flaring is the process of intentionally burning the product within a natural gas pipeline, a valve is opened on a stack attached to the pipeline and lit with a pilot flame.

The inspection will take place from the start of May to the start of June.

Read also:

For the pig to analyse the inside wall of the pipeline, natural gas needs to be flared to ensure it can travel through.

The flares will be able to be seen and heard from nearby properties in Westdale.

Landowners have been made aware of the noise impacts, the APA spokesman said.

"While we always endeavour to minimise impacts on landowners and occupiers, some people may experience periods of elevated noise levels," he said.

"So we apologise in advance for any disturbance caused."

Want more local news? Subscribe to the Leader to read it here first