Sempra Puts Fiber in Gas Pipelines

SAN DIEGO -- Sempra Fiber Links, a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), today announced it has installed a pilot application of its proprietary Fiber-In-Gas system in a portion of the natural gas lines in Ft. Worth, Texas. The Sempra technology allows for the installation and operation of a fiber-optic based communications system inside a pipeline while gas remains flowing. The project is in partnership with Oncor, the gas and electric delivery arm of TXU, a global energy services company based in Dallas. Oncor operates and maintains the pipes for TXU Gas. Gas Technology Institute (GTI), a research and development organization, will study the project and issue a report on the technology. Sempra Fiber Links' Fiber-In-Gas process incorporates patent-pending fittings that allow the insertion and extraction of a conduit through active natural gas pipelines without disrupting the service. The process does not require street trenching in the manner of traditional laying of fiber and, for that reason, it is quicker, less costly to install, and less disruptive to traffic and urban-planning schemes. "Oncor is very interested in innovative ways to bring added value to our industry," said Dan Farell, president of Oncor Distribution. "We know of the need for broadband connections into businesses and we are pleased to partner in this demonstration with GTI and Sempra to test this new method." Sempra Communications