Our great friends at CoServ are dragging their heels at laying a gas line to our restaurant. Anyone here have any contacts for a temporary service trailer or tank on a skid? This would allow us to complete the inspection process for the kitchen. Not interested in changing all my kitchen eqpt to LP, then having to switch back when the lines are run. If we weren't already $15k into a new gas line, I would probably just go with all LP.

I'm no expert but I've never heard of a small service trailer for your use. The ones I've seen were for when they have to shut a big line down to keep a neighborhood going. How far up the ladder have you gone with CoServe? Was the order placed when you got your permit?

Atmos regularly provides temp svc trailers. CoServ says they are keeping theirs in case of any emergencies.

We applied to CoServ in early Dec. We've paid $15k to have a line run 300' and set a meter ... yes, 300'

I've been given a couple of temp service providers and emailing with them now

Check Thigpen Energy or CenterPoint Evergy Alternative fuels. Temporary CNG isn't cheap. In fact it's pretty expensive. You should be able to get a smaller cascade depending on the volume you need.

Thigpen has 2.5 mcf farm tap skids. They might fit your need. Next step up is a 40 mcf trailer.

Tried CenterPoint for 2 days and still not even a phone call back.
Had a good email earlier tonight from a guy at Thigpen, and he basically said exactly what you just said...it ain't cheap. Basically $10k for 2 weeks worth of gas. He said the CNG distribution network isn't anywhere close to what the LP is. Pretty much takes me out of the NG discussion, so I guess I'll be staying with LP.

What I don't understand is, if NG is so cheap, why is getting a mobile svc unit so expensive?

It's a niche market. Lots of the CNG demand is for temporary supply for pipeline integrity work. Transportation and the labor to hook it up gets costly. Some cost for the trailers and tanks. Not a big volume business so they make it by having high cost. They can't make enough profit thru selling the gas. The issue with CNG is that you don't get a lot of volume even when compressing it to 2,500#. Even one of the 18 wheeler trailers only holds about 130mcf. You also have the JT effect as you cut the pressure. For every 100# of pressure cut the gas temperature drops ~7F. So you are often dealing with sub zero temperatures and the tendency for things to freeze up.

The gas cost is pretty much nothing in the process. It's all the logistics, equipment, labor, that you pay for.

Running 300 ft of service and setting the meter is a small job. A contractor could do that in less than a day. They must not have the approach main in or of they are building a new system they may not have the City Gate interconnect yet. Maybe some permit issues? Those take more time.

It might not be an immediate fix to your problem . But back charging them for the wait or at least threatening it might get them to speed it up or re coupe some money for your down time . Sorry for your headache bud ...

CoServ and Atmos are utility installers and they don't need permits in Texas nor licensed individuals to install gas lines

CoServ is horrible at Customer Service, absolute garbage. I have seen them in action many times.

I think Atmos owns the gas lines and sells gas to CoServ, Have you contacted Atmos? Maybe the can set up a temporary fix.

I work with both companies and Atmos is fantastic, CoServ blows


I have a few contact for Atmos, none for CoServ

Depends on where they are running them. In the Hwy ROW, crossing drainage, railroads, etc they may need permits. If they are in utility easements then they don't need permits. Typically they have a franchise with the cities they serve. The contractors they use have to be OQ qualified to run main and service. Not exactly licensed but pretty much the same thing.

Take them a brisket and tell them you will bring more AFTER you get your service. You'll be up and running tomorrow

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

On a build we did our engineer didn't catch that there wasn't enough power, we had to have more brought in which had to cross a state hwy which required a tx dot permit. It took 3 months. Contractor pulled off crew for another job and we sat with a 95 percent dont building for 2 months. No communication, nothing. I was driving by one day and there were trucks running the line, got contractor back in, opened 10 days later. It was an expensive screw up and part of the learning curve. Even after building lots of places screw ups happen.

Update -
All I can say is, God is good.
CoServ surprised me today, and in a huge way. Had a guy out this morning and he came bringing presents like Santa Claus.
They set this huge trailer, filled with pressurized tanks, and the smaller trailer which contain the regulating system. Said they would check if often and back another semi in if we start running low. Impressive service and caught me by surprise. Gotta admit, I teared up a bit.

We had planned on opening back up on 1/15, but weather delays have have pushed that back. The stress and pressure on me right now is more than anything I've ever felt before. I needed a break, and I finally caught one. We also passed inspection on our septic tanks, so now we're just trying to get the leach field completed and we're going to be good to go. I have a bottle of single malt I might actually crack the seal on tonight.