September 2021, Vol. 248, No. 9

Archive

Editor's Notebook

Northern Demand not Isolated

Say what you will about the state of the industry, customers are still clamoring for natural gas in their homes and businesses, and with that need for expansion comes new pipeline projects.

Global News

Global News September 2021

Egypt, Israel Discuss Liquefying Israeli Gas at Egyptian Plants, Two Arrested in Mountain Valley Pipeline Protest and more.

Government

INGAA Questions New Pipeline Cybersecurity Mandates

Members of Congress, who view gas and oil pipelines as dangerously vulnerable to cyberattacks, appear to be underwhelmed by the DHS mandates which come from its subagency, the Transportation Security Administration. A second directive in May was simply non-enforceable guidance.

Infrastructure Bill Includes More Spending on Water Pipes, Sewers

The Senate infrastructure legislation provides major funding boosts to the drinking water and clean water state revolving funds, but congressional passage of the bill depends, apparently, on whether Congress also passes a second $3.5 trillion “social infrastructure” bill demanded by progressive Democrats in the House.

Projects

Projects September 2021

TC Energy Warns Coastal GasLink Dispute Could Impact Construction, Neptune Energy Installs World’s Longest ETH Production Pipeline and more.

Features

Western Basins Staying Alive in New Mexico, Colorado

With its portion of the rich Permian Basin booming, New Mexico is about to overtake North Dakota (Bakken Shale) as the nation’s second largest oil producing state, flowing more than 1.1 MMbpd.

Permian Update: America’s Oilfield Builds Back from Another Bust

Three quarters of the way through what was to be a post-pandemic year, the midstream sector of America’s biggest oilfield is slugging its way back from the bottom again.

Energy Transfer Completes DAPL Expansion, Updates Pipeline Projects

Energy Transfer said it has completed a phased expansion of Dakota Access Pipeline that boosted capacity to 750,000 bpd from 570,000 bpd even as it waged a legal battle for DAPL’s survival.

Making Hydrogen Work for UK’s Commercial Buildings

While domestic heat makes up more than half of the U.K. heat demand, commercial and industrial properties’ space heating, hot water and heat for cooking account for more than a quarter. Therefore, any conversion from natural gas to hydrogen in the national and local pipeline grids must cater to larger-scale commercial and industrial heating.

Securing America’s Critical Energy Infrastructure: 5 Steps for Operators

Today, fearing the worst, oil and gas companies – and the federal government – are putting a renewed emphasis on cybersecurity in this crucial component of our nation’s critical infrastructure sector. In this threatening and confusing landscape, operators follow five steps detailed in this article.

Operator Exceeds Requirements with Clamp-On Flow Meter Run Design

As a transporter, a company commits to the safe and reliable transfer of natural gas in adherence to the guidelines set forth by the American Gas Association (AGA), including the specifications outlined in its AGA Report No. 9, “Measurement of Gas by Multipath Ultrasonic Meters."

Increased Safety for Natural Gas Pipelines

Local hard zones can cause sudden stress corrosion cracking in the through thickness direction. To detect and eliminate these local hard zones reliably during plate production, Dillinger developed a special eddy current testing system.

Introducing P&GJ’s Europe 500 Report of Top Pipelines

This first-ever list of pipelines serving Europe is intended to provide the industry with a listing of some of the longest transportation routes on the continent as of July 2021.

Advances in Compression Technology Keep Clean Energy Flowing

The Gas Machinery Research Council moves the industry forward in an environment, where standing still means drifting backward. A successful evolution will comprehend the energy system of the future while optimizing existing resources and new technologies.

EIA Reports: US LNG Exports Grew to Record Highs in First Half of 2021

U.S. exports of LNG continued to grow in the first six months of 2021, averaging 9.6 Bcf/d. This average marks an increase of 42%, or 2.8 Bcf/d, compared with the same period in 2020 (according to the Department of Energy’s LNG Monthly reports, based on shipping data from Bloomberg Finance.)

EIA Reports: Natural Gas Exports to Mexico Set Monthly Record

Natural gas pipeline exports from the United States to Mexico surpassed 7 Bcf/d on multiple days during June, according to data from Wood Mackenzie. The highest amount of pipeline exports, 7.4 Bcf/d, was sent out on June 17.

Performance Measures Needed to Assess Liquid Pipeline Regulations

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) amended safety regulations in 2019. Several operators said they would need to modify or replace pipelines to accommodate certain inspection tools.

German Hydrogen Council: Pipelines Most Economical Way to Move Hydrogen

Germany’s National Hydrogen Council determined pipeline transport to be the most economical option to move hydrogen for distances up to about 6,210 miles (10,000 km), even if it would require building new pipelines.

Guest Commentary

Court Rulings Underscore Challenges for Gas Pipeline Construction

Recently, the construction of new and expanded gas pipelines has been scrutinized, especially as countries address climate change by expanding the use of renewable energy resources and reducing the use of fossil fuels.

What's New

What's New September 2021

News from Brooks, Enerpac, BPS, Esco Tool, Ralston, Sensirion and Sensor Networks.

Tech Notes

Detecting Slag Buildup on Ferrite Casings in Pipe Mills

A major challenge in producing good-quality pipe on a welded pipe mill is the buildup of slag on the ferrite bundle used inside the pipe. Slag is a mixture of metal oxides and silicon dioxide, which are byproducts of separating the steel from its raw ore.

Rotork GP Actuators Selected for Asian LNG Terminal

G P-range pneumatic actuators have been installed at a South Korean LNG terminal. The terminal houses four LNG storage tanks, each capable of storing up to 52.8 million gallons, a 45,000-ton liquefied petroleum gas tank and a regasification plant.

Business

People in the News September 2021

Cole DTE Energy appointed Rodney Cole as vice president of the DTE Energy Foundation and director of community engagement for Public Affairs at DTE Energy. In his new role, Cole will lead the DTE Foundation’s operations and grant strategies. Also at DTE, Da..

Companies in the News September 2021

Corrosion prevention and sealing products manufacturer Winn & Coales International (Denso) acquired the global Viscotaq business, including Amcorr Products and Services, which formulates and manufactures viscoelastic protective coating technology.    The patented Viscotaq product range provides sel..