20100330Lost, Unaccounted-for Gas Report.pdf

EXECUTIVE OFFICES
INTERMOUNTAIN GAS COMPANY (' r- ¡'II'....1.1.)
555 SOUTH COLE ROAD. P.O. BOX 7608. BOISE, IDAHO 83707. [phone] . FAX: [phone]
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March 30, 2010
Ms. Jean Jewell
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
472 W. Washington St.
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, 10 83720-0074
RE: Intermountain Gas Company's Semi-Annual Report pertaining to Lost and
Unaccounted for Gas
Case No. INT-G-08-03
Dear Ms. Jewell:
Attached for filing with the Idaho Public Utilties Commission are the original and seven
copies of Intermountain Gas Company's Semi-Annual Report pertaining to Lost and
Unaccounted for Gas.
If there are any questions regarding the attached, please contact me at [phone].
Enclosures
cc: K. F. Morehouse
E. N. Book
S. W. Madison
K. Barnard
The Intermountain Gas LUAF team still meets regularly to review the multiple audit processes
and reporting we have implemented to help us better avoid and track LUAF in the event it does
occur.
The most recent activity was a result of our AL 1000 meter audit referenced in the April 2009
submittaL. Historically, Intermountain Gas had two different configurations of its AL 1000 meters;
some temperature compensated (10 psig delivery and greater), and some standard (less than
10 psig delivery). Through the AL 1000 audit process, it was determined that this dual
configuration concept in the same meter class was causing confusion and greater likelihood of
incorrect billing factors being applied. As such, we have issued a directive to convert all AL 1000
Temperature Compensated meters to AL 1000 Standard meters to alleviate possible errors in
billing factors.
IIn each of our other meter classes, each manufacturer/size is of similar type and drive rate, so
the directed change of the AL 1000 class is commensurate with other meter types in the
Intermountain service territory.
Other activities being conducted at this time in the LUAF area are a continuation of the audits
and reporting as outlined in earlier quarterly reports.
Audit activity results for 2009 are as follows:
. 6,481 "check for dead" orders were completed in 2009 and 542, or 8.36%, were found to
be dead
. 5,088 "check for dead" orders were completed in 2008 and 708, or 13%, were found to
be dead
. Drive rate errors have gone from 43 in 2007 to 26 in 2008 to 18 in 2009
. Pressure errors have gone from 15 in 2008 to 20 in 2009
Financial adjustments for these errors are as follows:
· De;3d Meters:
. Drive Rate Errors:
. Pressure Errors:
Decrease of 29%
Decrease of 31 %
Decrease of 89%
Gas loss, as it is commonly referred to, is calculated as described in April 2009 quarterly report.
A summary of findings for 2007 - 2009 is shown below:
2007 - 656 occurrences
2008 - 495 occurrences
2009 - 301 occurrences
254,455 therms of gas loss calculated
182,920 therms of gas loss calculated
130,251 therms of gas loss calculated
Overall, Intermountain's LUAF team continues to work with the executive leadership team to
monitor the LUAF events and effects. As stated in earlier reports, alterations to the billing
factors, LUAF reporting, and LUAF audits have helped and will continue to help Intermountain
control the quantities and costs associated with Lost and Unaccounted for Gas.