April 2022, Vol. 249, No. 4
Features
INGAA’s New Foundation Chair Brings Much Experience to the Position
P&GJ Staff Report
When it comes to experience in pipeline construction, INGAA Foundation’s new chair, Marty Jorgensen, has it in spades – about 40 years’ worth.
The current president of Barnard Pipeline, Inc., located in Bozeman, Montana, started in the industry as a truck driver/laborer before advancing to operator, welder, foreman and superintendent.
Jorgensen worked his way up through all phases of oil and gas pipeline work, which included construction of pipelines from 2 to 42 inches in diameter and water lines up to 120 inches.
Needless to say, Jorgensen’s vast knowledge of building difficult construction projects in extreme conditions, including on steep mountainous terrain and through congested urban areas, will come in handy in his role at INGAA.
Recently, P&GJ asked the Foundation chair about topics ranging from his early years in the pipeline industry, his involvement in INGAA and the evolving relationship between owner/operators and service providers.
P&GJ: Where are you from, and how did you decide on a career in the oil and gas industry?
Marty Jorgensen: I was raised in a farming and ranching community in north central Montana. After high school graduation, not familiar with many career paths (other than ranching), I decided to apply at a pipeline construction company. The rest is history. I have only worked for two pipeline contractors in my entire 44-year career. I currently serve as president of Barnard Pipeline Inc., which is based out of Bozeman, Montana.
P&GJ: What led to your involvement in the INGAA Foundation?
Jorgensen: Other colleagues in the industry suggested that I get involved to better understand the challenges facing our industry. I have been an active Foundation member since 2013. It is a great organization focused on delivering value for the full value chain of the natural gas transmission and storage industry!
P&GJ: What are your top priorities as Foundation chairman?
Jorgensen: I’m focused on helping guide the Foundation and its members through these trying times. I am passionate that our industry needs to continue to promote the advantages and benefits natural gas provides as we transition to a low-carbon future.
P&GJ: When you talk to members, what do they express as their greatest concerns?
Jorgensen: Our members often ask about regulatory permitting predictability for new pipeline projects. Will the pipeline owner/operators be able to develop these projects to safely deliver abundant, reliable, low-cost natural gas?
P&GJ: How have you seen the relationship between service companies and operators change in recent years?
Jorgensen: I’ve seen relationships between the pipeline owner/operators and the service provider community change in a positive way. I believe operators have a greater appreciation of service companies that focus on delivering results with the highest integrity, and value proactive safety and quality programs and performance.
P&GJ: What is your outlook for the next 18 months regarding new pipeline construction and expansions of existing lines?
Jorgensen: With the current administration’s goals of eliminating fossil fuels and the regulatory permitting processes (or lack thereof) that are in place, I really do not see much new pipeline construction or any major expansion work in the next 18 months.
Without additional infrastructure we will continue to see supply constraints and potentially higher gas prices. I believe this will serve as an education for consumers who do not appreciate the value of natural gas in providing low-cost, reliable energy.
P&GJ: How does the Foundation identify and deliver its annual slate of programs?
Jorgensen: The Foundation is structured to leverage our engagement with membership, utilizing all our resources to develop the best ideas and to identify timely and impactful research that will aid in the safe, responsible development, operation and maintenance of natural gas transmission infrastructure. We truly are member-driven.
P&GJ: What INGAA studies can we look forward to seeing this year?
Jorgensen: In 2022, the Foundation is set to deliver several white papers, workshops and outreach with federal agencies that regulate our industry. Each year, Foundation members identify and approve a slate of projects that are both timely and impactful for our industry.
A sampling of this year’s topics includes workshops focused on Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Impact Assessment and Mitigation, and the Next Steps in Safety Culture Journey for industry service providers. We’ll continue with our twelfth FERC 201 program – which engages with federal regulatory agency staff to collaboratively discuss the collective priorities facing our industry.
We will produce reports on the risks associated with natural gas bans; the impact of electric compression for natural gas; and a white paper aimed at industry service providers titled “ESG Path Forward Recommendations.” We will also publish industry guidelines focused on defining leading safety indicators for both owner/operators and service providers’ safety program.
Finally, we’ll continue our Pipeline Construction Safety Roundtable and the Lesson’s Learned Repository workshops.
P&GJ: Can you pick one thing you would most like to see accomplished during your time as chairman?
Jorgensen: It is difficult to identify just one priority for the upcoming year. We have a great group of engaged members that are all pulling in the same direction to support the Foundation standing committees and delivery of our studies. We continue to focus on building our membership in the Foundation.
Finally, we’ll focus on ensuring strategic alignment with the owner/operators as we identify project opportunities that will be voted on at our annual meeting in November.
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