Distribution

Gas Suspected in Fatal Omaha House Explosion

An explosion that leveled a home in Omaha killed two people and left two others critically injured, fire officials said. Crews from the city’s natural gas utility were on the scene, but the cause has not been confirmed.

Limited Pipeline Capacity in North American Regions Raises Winter Fuel Concerns

The United States has enough power generation to meet demand this winter, but extreme weather could challenge reliability in California and New England by putting fuel supplies at risk

New CO2 Tax Hikes Price of Natural Gas in Germany

Millions of German households will see their gas heating bills rise at the start of 2021 because of a new carbon dioxide tax, price comparison portal Verivox said on Tuesday, citing 7.1% average increases planned by 104 suppliers it surveyed.

Beneath the Bustling City, Pipelines Operate Largely Unnoticed

Within cities, utilities considering pipeline replacement or expansion must have it all, including great communication, a solid plan, the latest technology and a smart public awareness strategy.

Control Rooms Faced with Navigating the Pandemic

We asked over 300 controllers from 13 U.S. and Canadian control rooms for first-hand accounts of how their companies responded to the pandemic and controller needs.

Callahan Pipeline Completed in Northeast Florida

Affiliates of Chesapeake Utilities and TECO Peoples Gas have completed the 27-mile Callahan Intrastate pipeline, underpinning natural gas service expansion in two Florida counties.

Report: LDCs Own Residential, Commercial Sectors but Pipelines Fuel Power

A new government report on the U.S. natural gas industry shows that local distribution companies supply 90% of natural gas to U.S. residential and commercial sectors, but pipeline companies handle the biggest volumes through direct delivery to electric power and industrial customers.

India Steps up Bet on Gas With First Gas Trading Exchange

India on Monday launched its first natural gas trading exchange, as it continues efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by expanding the share of gas in its energy mix.

Tokyo Gas Maintains LNG Imports, Infrastructure Projects Despite Profit Plunge

Japan's biggest supplier of city gas said net profit fell by nearly half in the fiscal year ended March 31, but it has no plans to cut LNG imports or change its overseas investment plan.

AGA Chair Diane Leopold Brings Positive Outlook to Challenging Period for Industry

Diane Leopold became chair of the American Gas Association just in time for an unprecedented economic shutdown in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The executive vice president and co-chief operating officer of Dominion Energy, talked to P&GJ about the challenges and opportunities facing the natural gas industry.

Ameren Illinois Continues to Modernize With $8.5 Million Gas System Projects

Ameren Illinois announced additional updates to its natural gas system with $8.5 million in replacement projects scheduled for completion by late October in Springfield and San Jose.

Peru Gas Workers Unearth Centuries of History in Lima's Soil

For nearly two decades, workers for a company building gas lines across Peru’s capital have found themselves unearthing a treasure trove of history.

Jesse Jackson Joins Push for Natural Gas Pipeline to Illinois Town

Not all pipeline activists are fighting against more construction. Rev. Jesse Jackson has joined local leaders in calling for extension of natural gas service to a low-income township south of Chicago.

Europe’s Gas Distribution in Need of Evolution

Europe is in transition toward a low-carbon economy in which fossil fuels’ share of the energy mix is projected to fall in coming years, but import of natural gas are expected to rise. This means that Europe’s distribution network capacity will have to be improved.

APGA Chairman Intends to Re-Engage Membership

In an interview with Pipeline & Gas Journal, APGA Chairman Samual Davis Jr. discusses the challenges and goals faced by the organization in during the coming year. He also talks about strategies for effectively explaining the benefits of natural gas to the public and shares his thoughts on electrification.

Innovation Drives World Record Natural Gas Main Renewal

Drivers along the stretch of Central Avenue crossing the Garden State Parkway by the East Orange General Hospital in New Jersey would have noticed the construction crews, excavations, equipment and vehicles in the middle of the street. What he or she would not know is that the project underway was setting a world record.

India Investing $60 Billion on National Gas Grid by 2024

India, one of the world's largest consumers of oil and coal, is investing $60 billion to build a national gas grid and import terminals by 2024 in a bid to cut its carbon emissions, the oil minister said on Sunday.

Italy's Snam Looking to Raise Hydrogen Mix in Its Pipelines

Italy’s Snam is planning to inject more hydrogen into its gas pipeline network and will be able to count on the backing of Rome as the new government rolls out its new climate package.

Brazil's Petrobras Seeks to Exit Gas Distribution Business This Year: CEO

Brazil’s state-controlled oil company Petrobras will leave the gas distribution business in Brazil, disposing of all of its assets in the area, Chief Executive Roberto Castello Branco said.

5 Workers Hurt in Houston-Area Natural Gas Line Explosion

Five workers have been injured when a natural gas line exploded in a residential neighborhood southeast of Houston. The blast occurred as a CenterPoint Energy contractor was working along a line Thursday.

NW Natural Completes North Mist Expansion Project

NW Natural has completed its North Mist Expansion Project and begun providing no-notice storage to Portland General Electric’s Port Westward plants to balance renewable power on the grid.

National Grid Halts New Gas Service Until Williams Pipeline Approved

National Grid said it will not process new applications for natural gas service in its New York City and Long Island service areas until Williams' Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) pipeline receives the permits it needs to proceed.

Police: 1 Dead, 15 Injured in North Carolina Gas Explosion

A gas explosion that partially collapsed a North Carolina building and set it ablaze Wednesday morning killed one person and injured more than a dozen others, police said.

Mass. Budgets Statewide Review of Natural Gas Systems

Gov. Charlie Baker has signed a spending bill that funds a statewide examination of Massachusetts’ natural gas distribution system. The review was ordered after the Sept. 13 gas explosions that killed one person, injured 25 others and damaged or destroyed dozens of buildings in the Merrimack Valley.

Con Edison Halts Gas Hookups, Citing Interstate Pipeline Constraints

Consolidated Edison Inc said it will impose a moratorium on new natural gas service in parts of New York's Westchester County to protect system reliability due to limited space on interstate pipelines to the region.

Global News

Eni’s Indonesia Gas Project may Start Up in 2021   Indonesia’s deputy energy minister said Eni aims to start output of natural gas in 2021 from its offshore Merakes project, which includes construction of subsea systems and pipelines to transport production to a floating production unit (FPU) appro..

PG&E Board Chair Sees Chapter 11 as ‘Only Viable Option’

Pacific Gas & Electric Co. said this week it will file for bankruptcy, raising concern that rates for electricity and gas will rise and victims of California wildfires who are suing the nation’s largest utility won’t get all the money they may be owed.

Pipeline Shutdowns Lead to Import Bottlenecks at Mexican Ports

Bottlenecks for offloading imported fuel are forming at some Mexican oil ports following government orders to shut pipelines to limit losses from widespread fuel theft.

Pakistan Fires Gas Utility Chiefs over Winter Energy Crisis

Pakistan's Prime Minister fired the heads of Sui Natural Gas Pipeline and Sui Southern Gas Company over a severe winter energy crisis that has seen repeated supply outages.

Mexico Offensive Against Fuel Theft Leads to Reduced Use of Pipelines

An offensive by Mexico’s new government against fuel theft at one of the country’s main refineries has led to days of shortages at gas stations in several central states, as authorities move more fuel by tankers and less by vulnerable pipelines.