How to Manage an Oil and Gas Pipeline Project Timeline

The Problem: Pipeline Projects Fail on Permitting and Right-of-Way, Not Construction

Interstate natural gas pipeline projects are among the most regulated infrastructure undertakings in the United States. FERC Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity proceedings under the Natural Gas Act involve a formal docketed proceeding with environmental review, public scoping, intervenor comment periods, and commissioner deliberation that routinely spans 18–36 months before construction authorization is granted.

Meanwhile, right-of-way (ROW) acquisition across hundreds or thousands of landowners — including condemnation proceedings for holdouts — runs on a parallel track with its own unpredictable timeline. Projects that assume FERC approval and ROW acquisition will complete on a developer-preferred schedule almost always encounter delays that cascade into construction season conflicts, steel pipe cost escalation, and contractor demobilization.

A pipeline project Gantt chart in gantt-chart.io maps the FERC proceeding, environmental mitigation, ROW acquisition, material procurement, and construction execution on a unified timeline so project teams can see conflicts before they become multi-million-dollar surprises.

Prerequisites

Pipeline route alternatives studied and preferred route selected
FERC pre-filing process completed (mandatory for projects requiring EIS)
Market need established (precedent agreements with shippers signed)
Engineering survey of preferred route completed
Environmental consultant engaged for FERC environmental review support
Steel pipe specifications finalized and mill slot discussions initiated

Oil and Gas Pipeline Project Timeline

Phase 1: FERC Pre-Filing and Route Engineering (Weeks 1–24)

[ ] Complete FERC pre-filing docket and initiate scoping process
[ ] Conduct field surveys: wetlands delineation, cultural resources, biological surveys
[ ] Prepare and submit Environmental Report to FERC
[ ] Complete geotechnical borings along preferred route
[ ] Develop 30% engineering design drawings for major features (HDD crossings, compressor stations)
[ ] File Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity application with FERC
[ ] Begin Section 7 ESA consultation with USFWS and NOAA Fisheries
[ ] Initiate Army Corps of Engineers Section 404/10 pre-application coordination

Phase 2: FERC Environmental Review and Right-of-Way Acquisition (Weeks 20–72)

[ ] Respond to FERC staff environmental data requests (EDRs)
[ ] Participate in FERC environmental impact statement (EIS) or EA process
[ ] Launch landowner outreach program for ROW acquisition on preferred route
[ ] Negotiate easement agreements with individual landowners
[ ] File condemnation proceedings for holdout landowners (Natural Gas Act Section 7(h))
[ ] Obtain Army Corps Nationwide Permit 12 or individual Section 404 permit
[ ] Complete state environmental reviews (state 401 water quality certifications)
[ ] Receive FERC Certificate Order and initiate appeal period monitoring

Phase 3: Material Procurement and Contractor Selection (Weeks 48–72)

[ ] Execute steel pipe purchase order with domestic or international mill
[ ] Procure fittings, valves, mainline block valves, and cathodic protection materials
[ ] Order compressor station equipment (turbines or reciprocating compressors)
[ ] Issue EPC RFP for mainline construction and compressor station construction
[ ] Award construction contracts and execute pipeline contractor agreement
[ ] Develop erosion and sediment control plan (E&SCP) per FERC requirements
[ ] Complete 90% engineering drawings for full route

Phase 4: Pipeline Construction (Weeks 68–100)

[ ] Mobilize spreads and establish right-of-way clearing operations
[ ] Execute horizontal directional drilling (HDD) at major water and road crossings
[ ] Conduct open-cut trenching and pipe stringing operations
[ ] Complete pipe bending, fit-up, and welding operations
[ ] Execute non-destructive examination (NDE) of all field welds
[ ] Lower pipe into trench and complete backfill and restoration
[ ] Install cathodic protection system and conduct close-interval survey (CIS)
[ ] Construct compressor stations and metering/regulating stations

Phase 5: Hydrostatic Testing and In-Service (Weeks 96–112)

[ ] Fill pipeline segments with water and pressurize to 1.25x MAOP per 49 CFR Part 192
[ ] Hold hydrostatic test pressure for minimum 8 hours per DOT requirements
[ ] Dewater and dry pipeline segments (nitrogen sweep or methanol treatment)
[ ] Complete PHMSA notifications and obtain authorization to commence service
[ ] Conduct gas-in and initial line pack operations
[ ] Commission compressor stations and initiate transportation service
[ ] File FERC completion certificate and close FERC docket

Common Mistakes

Underestimating FERC EIS timeline: A full Environmental Impact Statement for an interstate pipeline routinely takes 24–36 months from pre-filing to Certificate Order. Developer projections of 12–18 months are chronically optimistic.
Starting ROW acquisition before FERC approval: Landowners who execute easements before FERC approval bear significant risk if the project is modified or denied. However, delaying all ROW contact until Certificate Order creates a 12+ month ROW acquisition bottleneck.
Pipe delivery schedule not locked: Domestic steel pipe mills book 12–18 months ahead. Missing the mill slot by even a quarter can delay construction by a full year.
Inadequate restoration scope: FERC compliance monitors issue notices of non-compliance for restoration failures. Underbidding the restoration scope leaves projects in FERC enforcement proceedings for years after in-service date.

Timeline Summary

Phase	Duration	Key Milestone
FERC Pre-Filing	Weeks 1–24	FERC application filed
FERC Review & ROW	Weeks 20–72	Certificate Order received
Procurement	Weeks 48–72	Pipe ordered, contracts awarded
Construction	Weeks 68–100	Pipeline welded and buried
Testing & In-Service	Weeks 96–112	PHMSA authorization, gas in

Next Steps

Pipeline projects span years and require coordination across federal agencies, state regulators, hundreds of landowners, and multiple construction contractors. The projects that stay on schedule are those with a unified project timeline that everyone from FERC counsel to the pipeline inspector can reference. Build your oil and gas pipeline project Gantt chart on gantt-chart.io and keep your development team, legal team, and construction contractors aligned on the path from FERC filing to first gas.