December 2017, Vol. 244, No. 12

Company & Association News

Companies in the News

Ameren Illinois unveiled its new CNG refueling station, along with seven new trucks that run on the alternative fuel. The facility also provides fuel to CNG trailers used by Ameren Illinois for emergency response operations and system maintenance. The deployment of CNG vehicles is expected to save $1,000-2,000 per vehicle in annual fuel costs.

American Midstream Partners closed on an additional 17% equity interest in the Destin Pipeline from affiliates of ArcLight Capital Partners, which controls the general partner of the partnership, for a total consideration of $30 million. Post-closing, the partnership will own a 66.67% interest in Destin. The partnership expects strong returns from Destin, driven by continued development in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico.

American Midstream Partners also closed on acquisition of the equity interests in Trans-Union Interstate Pipeline, L.P from affiliates of ArcLight Capital Partners, which controls the general partner, for a total consideration of about $48 million. Trans-Union owns a 42-mile, 30-inch natural gas interstate pipeline with 546,000 MMbtu/d of maximum capacity from Sharon to El Dorado, AR.

American Midstream Partners will also acquire Southcross Energy Partners, a master limited partnership and certain assets of Southcross Holdings, which indirectly owns all of the equity interest in the general partner of SXE and other assets. The deal is valued at $815 million, including repayment of $139 million of estimated net debt, and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2018.

Emerson acquired GeoFields, a global supplier of software and implementation services for pipeline integrity data collection and risk analysis for the oil and gas industry. GeoFields software enables operators to collect integrity data, perform risk modeling and high-consequence area (HCA) risk analysis and prioritize pipeline integrity-related maintenance and asset management activities. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

WorleyParsons completed the acquisition of AFW Oil and Gas UK Limited (AFW UK) AFW UK has 45-plus years’ experience in maintenance, modifications and operations in the North Sea with over 3,000 employees in seven offices in the UK and the Middle East.

Consumer Energy Alliance launched a nationwide campaign designed to educate families, businesses, and state and local lawmakers about the benefits of energy and the critical role it plays in everyday lives and budgets. “Campaign for America’s Energy” will focus on continuing to hold the energy industry to a higher safety standard.

WHC Energy Services received Natural Gas and Corporate safety awards from Kinder Morgan for performing at an exemplary level and keeping safety at the forefront of operations. The awards were given to contractors working in Kinder Morgan business units.

Ditch Witch, a Charles Machine Works Company, showcased its latest equipment and technology at the 15th annual international customer event on Oct. 27 at the Ditch Witch Barcelona Support Center in Spain. More than 350 were in attendance to received hands-on equipment demos of new Ditch Witch products, including horizontal directional drills, trenchers, micro-trenchers, mini skid steers, and HDD tooling.

Tally Energy Services, a private equity-backed firm with a buy-and-build strategy in specialized North American shale products and services, announced Douglas L. Foshee will be its chairman of the board. He is founder and owner of Sallyport Investments, Foshee was formerly chairman, president and CEO of El Paso Corporation.

Michels Canada received the inaugural CEPA (Canadian Energy Pipeline Association) Foundation Safety Award for its advancements in safety on transmission pipeline construction projects. The award is presented to a foundation member company that demonstrates commitment, achievement and leadership in safety.

“Michels’ progressive safety program focuses on our efforts to continuously change the way we approach our work every day with an ultimate goal of reducing loss to our people and our assets,” said Vice President Gary Ziehr.

Centuri Construction Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwest Gas Holdings, acquired New England Utility Constructors Inc. (Neuco), based in Lawrence, MA. Neuco specializes in providing construction services to gas and electric distribution utilities, municipal utilities, and master meter operators throughout New England.

EQT Corporation, announced that, based on the final tabulation provided by its proxy solicitor, EQT shareholders have approved the pending transaction with Rice Energy Inc. at the Company’s special meeting held Nov. 9. Of the total shares cast, approximately 84% voted in favor of the proposal to issue stock for execution of the transaction.

“We appreciate the strong support from our shareholders and are pleased that they recognize the outstanding strategic and operational fit of the Rice acquisition,” said Steve Schlotterbeck, EQT’s president and CEO. “EQT is now one of the lowest-cost producers in the United States, possessing significant financial flexibility and an anticipated investment-grade credit rating, as well as more optionality to address the sum-of-the-parts discount.”

TransCanada, which acquired Columbia Pipeline Group last year, is seeking trademarks on new company names that would eliminate “Canada from its new moniker. The pipeline operator has submitted the names, TCE, Ventiv, Convergent, TC Energy and Northbow to Canada’s trademark journal, according to the Canadian Intellectual Property Office. The process allows others to comment on the names prior to the granting of trademarks. P&GJ

Michels’ Vice President Gary Ziehr receives the inaugural CEPA Foundation Safety Award for the company’s advancements in safety on transmission pipeline construction projects recently in Nisku, Alberta. Looking on, from left, CEPA Executive Director Rob Beamish, Michaels Construction Manager Darel Malcolmson, and Vice President for Ledcor Construction Dale Posein.