Cold weather can expose problems in a natural gas system that may go unnoticed during warmer months. Regulators begin frosting. Valves stop operating correctly. Pilot systems become unreliable. Pressure changes. Gas flow becomes restricted. In severe cases, equipment can freeze and operations can shut down. But winter weather is only part of the problem. Natural gas systems can also experience significant cooling when gas moves from high pressure to lower pressure. Combine that pressure reduction with cold incoming gas and moisture, and conditions can develop that allow ice or gas hydrates to restrict equipment and piping. Understanding natural gas freeze