Environment
Projects Reflect Midstream Expansion, Restructuring
Growth in production of domestic light crude and increased exportation of heavy crude led to substantial additional investments in pipelines and other midstream infrastructure during the year, according to data from the federal Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Report Offers A Timely Perspective On Natural Gas
Recently the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (“C2ES”) released a comprehensive report entitled “Leveraging Natural Gas To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions” that lays out in a thoughtful manner the promising future of natural gas. Its timeliness, coming as the shale revolution continues to build in the United States and which President Obama made a centerpiece of his Climate Action Plan (CAP), make this document essential reading.
Leveraging GIS For Pipeline Integrity In High-Consequence Areas
As oil and gas pipeline companies struggle to do more with less, the industry must rely on technology to squeak out efficiencies. Geographic information systems (GIS) have been a part of pipeline operations for decades. However, when outdated methods and resource-intensive data collection processes are used in an integrity management program, the results can become overly expensive, highly inaccurate or even non-compliant.
Need For Infrastructure Among Challenges Outside Of U.S.
Outside the U.S., the lack of a large-scale pipeline network and related infrastructure makes getting oil and gas to market difficult, and sometimes cost-prohibitive. A recent McKinsey & Company report estimates it will take up to $1.4 trillion in infrastructure investment to complete the necessary pipelines, rail networks, and drilling and gathering infrastructure necessary to fully capture the potential of the shale revolution in the U.S. The investment required to take advantage of a global shale revolution will certainly be even greater.
Binz Withdraws From Consideration For FERC Chairmanship
Withdrawal of the nominee for the FERC chairmanship reflects the intensity of the political wars between the Democrats and Republicans in Washington, the ham-handedness of the Obama administration and miscues by Ron Binz, a former Colorado Public Utility Commission chairman.
Five Key Challenges In The Oil And Gas Industrial Control System
An Industrial Control System (ICS) is comprised of many disparate components, including hardware and software technologies, the system infrastructure--from the communications network to the physical plant--the human element for tasks that require manual intervention, and the environment.
Prices, Transportation Determine Future For Canadian Oil And Gas
Recent reports on the state of crude oil and natural gas production in Canada suggest that the transportation bottleneck at the border will have long-ranging effects on Canada’s energy markets.
Bear Biologist Upset By Proposed Pipeline Route to LNG Plant
A $5 billion pipeline vital to Premier Christy Clark's plan to revitalize British Columbia's economy through LNG development is facing a tough environmental battle on the north coast. "They can't be allowed to follow that route," grizzly bear biologist Wayne McCrory said last month of the pipeline corridor proposed for the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Project.
Editor's Notebook: Still Waiting
President Obama sure is a cagey fellow; after watching him closely for the past six years I don’t think there’s much doubt about that. So, that leads me to the big question: what exactly is he planning to do with that long-overdue decision on the Keystone XL Pipeline?
U.S. Shale Development Points To Far-Reaching Effect Worldwide
Ten years after the shale revolution first took off in the North Texas Barnett Shale formation, large-scale shale development primarily remains a phenomenon unique to the United States.
Con Edisons Clustering Cleans Air Over Gotham
New York City’s skyline is ever-changing and is now undergoing a change of another kind – a cleaning of the air around it, assisted by a Con Edison program, which helps people switch to cleaner-burning natural gas.
Pipeline Construction Among Most Affected By OSHA Proposal On Crystalline Silica
Oil and gas operations are near the top of the list of sectors which will be affected if the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) proposed workplace standard on crystalline silica becomes final.
PUC Modifies Settlement with PGW Over 2011 Explosion
The Pennsylvania PUC modified a $500,000 settlement reached as part of an investigation of a 2011 Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) explosion that killed an employee to include increased leak-detection measures.
Runaway Train Calamity Underscores Crude-By-Rail Concerns
When a train carrying 72 tanker cars of Bakken crude oil derailed in the Quebec town of Lac-Mégantic, killing 47 people and destroying 40 buildings, it powerfully rekindled the debate over the merits of rail vs. pipeline delivery throughout the industry.
"How Green Is My Energy?" Big Factor In Fuel Choice
“Green energy sources” are becoming more popular but still make only a small dent in the country’s or even the global energy supply. Green energy today includes conventional hydropower, wind, solar, wood and waste biomass, and geothermal. Some observers include nuclear because the waste products are easily collected and handled. Almost any source of energy that is free of fossil fuels is considered green energy. Many times the green fuels are a renewable source of energy.
Americas Repiping The Flanagan South Story
Aside from the scale, engineering, design, construction and safety challenges, any of which could define a pipeliner’s career, what really motivates Enbridge’s Flanagan South Pipeline executives Jerrid Anderson and Mark Sitek, is the idea they are part of a larger socio-economic movement across North America. They’re helping to allow domestic energy to fuel more of the load, backing out imported oil.
Charlie Joyce: Born And Raised To Be A Pipeliner
The hallmark of the pipeline business has always been symbolized by the handshake. Never has there been a better example of this tradition than with Charlie Joyce and his family, owners of Otis Eastern Service, Inc., in Wellsville, NY.
Will You Dominate Your Next Oil Spill Response?
Rapid dominance of your response requires far more than just getting there quickly or having a lot of really cool stuff with you when you arrive. Current or former military readers (thank you) already know this term. The military doctrine of “rapid dominance” requires four things:
Technology And Natural Gas Go Hand In Hand
In late July, the natural gas industry mourned the passing of George P. Mitchell, who pioneered key technologies applied to natural gas extraction, which today are changing global energy markets. Mitchell – his vision, ingenuity and commitment - is a prime example of the ability for research and subsequent deployment of lessons learned to transform an industry, create economic value and ultimately shape the course of history.
Senate to Consider Pipeline Permitting Reform, Too
The Senate may consider some form of pipeline permitting reform but the bill may not look like the one the House was expected to pass. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, released a broad statement on natural gas issues July 25.
Using 3D Imaging To Evaluate Damaged Subsea Pipelines
Damage to subsea pipelines can cost operators millions of dollars in downtime, lost production and repairs. Common damage events such as dropped objects, anchor drag and trawler impacts can result in dents, cracks, pitting and gouges of pipeline material. Damage events compromise the integrity of pipelines and can have significant operational and financial consequences.
Seam Defect Cited For Pegasus Oil Spill
An independent report conducted by Hurst Metallurgical Research Laboratory Inc. faults manufacturing defects on the Pegasus Pipeline that ruptured and spewed 150,000 gallons of crude oil in Mayflower, AR, Exxon Mobil Corp. said.
Transpetro Gas Pipeline Operations In Heart Of Brazilian Amazon Rainforest
Transpetro, a company 100% owned by Petrobras, is the largest logistics and transportation company in Latin America for the oil and liquid byproducts segment, and the national leader of natural gas transportation and processing. It is present in more than 200 cities and every Brazilian region.
Higher Ed Now Coloring Natural Gas Green
By widely embracing natural gas as a primary fuel source, U.S. colleges and universities have joined the ever-growing movement for energy change. Spurred by organizations like the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) - which was created to help institutions meet ambitious, long-term energy goals - higher education is demonstrating that natural gas is an effective “green” solution in more ways than one: it reduces one’s carbon footprint and saves money on long-term energy costs.
NASA Teams With Consultancy, Targeting Potential Disasters In Oil And Gas Industry
Citing the harsh conditions, complex systems and potentially catastrophic consequences of missteps within the modern oil and gas industry, the National Aeronautic and Space Administration has entered into a contract with Deloitte LLP to offer consulting services through Deloitte to the oil and gas industry, focusing on safety and risk mitigation efforts for “black swan” events, incidents of “low probability and high consequence.”
Markey Reports Gas Pipeline Leaks in MA Led To $150 Million In Lost Gas Per Year
Sen. Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts released a report on Aug. 1 on the state of gas distribution pipeline leaks in that state, using it as a case study for the country as a whole. The report, prepared by congressional staff, found that $1.5 billion worth of natural gas was lost in Massachusetts between 2000-2011 and blamed leaky distribution pipelines for most of the loss.
Americas Newfound Power: What U.S. Should Do To Capitalize On Shale, Renewable Energy Revolutions
It was hard not to do a double take when the story broke last November: By 2017, the headlines read, the United States would overtake Saudi Arabia as the world’s largest oil producer. And by 2025, the U.S. could be exporting more oil and gas than it imports.
Exxon Outlook To 2040 Predicts Little Impact For Renewables, Cost On Carbon To Benefit Natural Gas
ExxonMobil’s report “The Outlook for Energy: A View to 2040,” released at a press conference with executives last spring, predicts world energy demand rising by 35% over the next 30 years, mostly due to increasing demand in Asia and population growth worldwide.
Cybersecurity For Pipeline, Gas Companies
Securing pipeline and gas companies’ critical infrastructure is an evolving process. Embracing that fact is a key element in the development of a logical program that will ensure safety, security and effectiveness. There are four logical phases in this process with defined actions that can be measured and coordinated.
New Methodologies, Technologies Help Protect Pipelines
Good practice in reducing risks to pipeline integrity, and taking quick and effective action when potential threats develop, have long been part of sound pipeline operation. However, new technology trends, including social media, are amplifying public concern around how pipeline operators manage environmental, social and economic impacts.
- Phillips 66 to Shut LA Oil Refinery, Ending Major Gasoline Output Amid Supply Concerns
- FERC Sides with Williams in Texas-Louisiana Pipeline Dispute with Energy Transfer
- U.S. Appeals Court Blocks Kinder Morgan’s Tennessee Pipeline Permits
- ConocoPhillips Eyes Sale of $1 Billion Permian Assets Amid Marathon Acquisition
- Valero Considers All Options, Including Sale, for California Refineries Amid Regulatory Pressure
- U.S. Appeals Court Blocks Kinder Morgan’s Tennessee Pipeline Permits
- Malaysia’s Oil Exports to China Surge Amid Broader Import Decline
- U.S. LNG Export Growth Faces Uncertainty as Trump’s Tariff Proposal Looms, Analysts Say
- Marathon Oil to Lay Off Over 500 Texas Workers Ahead of ConocoPhillips Merger
- Valero Considers All Options, Including Sale, for California Refineries Amid Regulatory Pressure
