What is the primary purpose of a gate station?

The primary purpose of a gate station is to measure the flow of gas and determine the amount received. Gate stations serve as critical points within the gas distribution system where natural gas is transferred from one pipeline to another, often from a transmission line to a distribution system. Accurate measurement is essential for determining billing amounts and monitoring the volume of gas being transported.

Gate stations typically incorporate metering equipment that tracks the volume and pressure of the gas, ensuring that accurate data is collected for both regulatory oversight and operational efficiency. This functionality is vital for managing the supply chain of natural gas, from producers through to consumers, while also maintaining safety and regulatory compliance.

In the context of other options, while purification and separation of natural gas liquids are important processes in the overall gas management cycle, they do not define the primary function of a gate station. Similarly, storage is a separate aspect of gas systems that typically involves different facilities designed to hold gas for future use, rather than just passing it through for measurement.