34 miles of pipe are in the ground....now what?

It has been a long time since my last contribution to this blog so here it goes. As many of you know I am still in West Palm Beach, FL overseeing the installation of 34 additional miles to our natural gas pipeline. This gas line will feed the new FP&L (Florida Power and Light) plant being constructed by Zachry, the company John Wilke works for. Up until this morning I really thought I would be starting my drive back to Houston either the 15th or 16th. Now that is in jeopardy. Upon completion of laying the pipe, a hydrostatic test is done to ensure the line's integrity. The pipeline failed it's first attempt miserably, but then passed a 2nd hydro test this morning. How could this have happened? Good question, and that's why my boss is on a plane as we speak. A logical theory is that we were experiencing a very strong temperature gradient, due to various sections of pipe being buried at varying depths ranging anywhere's from 3-30 feet, and the pipe just needed more time to allow temps and pressures to stabilize. Experts have told us that what we experienced is not uncommon, but the problem is proving a temperature gradient was the cause and not a slow leak that may not exist at lower pressures but then rear it's ugly head at test pressure (2220 psig). Needless to say, this "little" problem does nothing to facilitate my return to Houston. The 15th / 16th is still possible, just less likely.

Something else happened yesterday that hadn't happened in over 5 years. I got a speeding ticket!!! 10 over. Really? 10 over? come on, your sheriff buddy just passed me and you let him through. Oh well, I just completed the 4 hour online course to make sure it doesn't go on my driving record and keeps my insurance rates from going up. Even with the reciprocity rule between states, there's a good chance the FL ticket wouldn't get connected to my TX insurance policy but I'm not taking any chances. 5 months and no tickets. Then with less than 2 weeks left in the state I get slapped for 10 over in a 55mph zone. Whatever.

I sure am glad that Nujoud is re-doing our bathroom. I really hate painting. My goal is for her to have it finished before I get home so all I have to do is enjoy the fruits of her labor. We still need to hunt for a shower door replacement but other than that all the hardware is either installed or on its way to Home Depot for pick-up.