Safety
New Alternatives for Noise Reduction in Gas Pipelines
Natural gas pipeline pressure reduction applications pose significant design challenges for engineers. Since flow varies considerably through these stations, control valves are required to throttle over a wide range, with large pressure drops at times, which create the potential for high noise.
Optimizing Emergency Response Through Alarm Management
With the implementation of the PHMSA Control Room Management (CRM) Rule in 2012, pipeline operators and control room managers have become familiar with the fundamentals of alarm management.
Fuel Theft Crisis Persists in Central Mexico as Nine Bodies Found Near Pipeline
(P&GJ) — Central Mexico authorities have discovered nine men's bodies in vehicles near a fuel pipeline. Although the circumstances surrounding the deaths are still being probed, officials said there are signs suggesting a possible connection to fuel theft.
Texas Explosion Likely Caused by Gas Leak Injures 21
At least 21 people were injured Monday in an apparent gas leak explosion at the Sandman Hotel in downtown Fort Worth, Texas, the city's fire department said.
Two Dead After Fire on Vessel at Port of Houston, Texas
Two crew members are dead and one injured after a fire on a vessel at Port of Houston, Texas, on Monday, according to local media reports.
U.S. DOT Invests Nearly $15 Million to Improve Pipeline Safety
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is awarding $14.8 million in grants to fund projects and activities to improve pipeline safety.
Bunge Halts Operations at Indiana Soy Plant Due to Damaged Gas Pipeline
A soybean processing facility in Decatur, Indiana, operated by global grain handler Bunge stopped operations last week following damage to a natural gas pipeline that feeds the site, the company said in a statement to Reuters on Wednesday.
Crucial Role of Testing Labs in Pipeline Emergency Response
(P&GJ) — Emergency situations, like explosions due to pipeline ruptures, often happen instantly and without warning. Pipeline managers know about the risks that come with the job, but the aftereffects of pipeline ruptures and leaks are often secondary to protecting human life.
At Least 40 Dead in Liberian Gas Tanker Explosion, Says Official
At least 40 people have died following the explosion of a gas tanker in north-central Liberia, the West African country's chief medical officer, Francis Kateh, said on Wednesday.
Freeport LNG Settles with EPA Over Safety Failures Following June 2022 Texas Blast
Freeport LNG, which operates the second-largest U.S. liquefied natural gas export plant in Texas, agreed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to settle safety violations related to a June 2022 blast that caused some $275 million in damage to the facility.
BP's Olympic Pipeline Leaks Over 25,000 Gallons of Gas in Washington State
(P&GJ) — Emergency teams worked to address a gasoline spill in northwest Washington State on Dec. 12 after a pipeline segment failed over the weekend that released approximately 25,660 gallons (97,100 liters) of gasoline due to a small tube malfunction.
LaPorte, Texas, Issues Shelter in Place After Altivia Plant Leaks Toxic Gas
Altivia Chemical was working to contain a toxic gas leak from its LaPorte, Texas, plant on Monday, as the city's emergency management agency ordered some nearby residents and five neighboring facilities to shelter in place out of caution.
US Coast Guard Investigates Source of 1.1 Million Gallons Oil Leak in Gulf of Mexico from Underwater Pipeline
The U.S. Coast Guard on Monday said it was still looking for the source of a leak from an underwater pipeline off the Louisiana coast in the Gulf of Mexico that it estimated had released more than a million gallons of crude oil.
EACOP Unveils 897-Mile Heated Oil Pipeline with Advanced Environmental Safety Technology
Due to pump its first crude oil in 2025, the EACOP integrates a sophisticated fiber-optic network for continuous online connectivity, ensuring real-time monitoring via satellite along its entire length.
Proposed PHMSA Leak Detection Changes Run into Opposition
(P&GJ) — While the CEQ’s proposed NEPA changes would affect how all federal agencies review potential GHG emissions for various industry energy construction projects, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) wants to restrict methane emissions for already-installed pipelines, as well as new ones.
INGAA Responds to Winter Storm Elliott Report, Emphasizes Need for Enhanced Infrastructure
(P&GJ) — The recently released Winter Storm Elliott Report sheds light on the proactive measures taken by members of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) to uphold system integrity during the severe weather event.
Clearwater Paper Suspends Idaho Operations Due to Regional Natural Gas Pipeline Incident
(P&GJ) — Clearwater Paper Corp. temporarily halted some operations at its Lewiston, Idaho, facility on Nov. 9 due to an incident affecting the regional natural gas system, causing disruptions to gas deliveries in the mill and surrounding areas.
Recordkeeping on Colorado Pipeline Safety Deemed Lacking
(P&GJ) — Officials in Colorado consider the state’s regulations of the pipeline industry to be among the strongest in the nation: that Colorado’s regulations of pipelines promote safety within the industry, enhance the environment, and protect the lives and properties of Coloradans.
INGAA Releases Key Safety Initiative Work Products
The Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) and its member companies have released their “Integrity Management – Continuous Improvement (IMCI) 2.0” program work products.
Plugging the Leak: Tackling Methane Emissions
(P&GJ) — The oil and gas industry is heavily regulated by a number of governing bodies, including the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, to ensure pipelines run efficiently and safely. However, no matter how controlled operations are, toxic vapors from fugitive emissions continue to be a problem.
Finland Says Gas Pipeline Likely Broken by Ship Dragging Anchor
Damage to a Baltic Sea gas pipeline earlier this month is believed to have been caused by a ship dragging a large anchor along the seabed, but it was too early to tell if this was an accident or a deliberate act, Finnish police said on Tuesday.
Embracing Sustainability Across Pipelines Requires Digital Transformation
(P&GJ) — The environment in which pipelines must operate is changing rapidly and dramatically, as constant shifts in the global marketplace have underscored a need for increasing flexibility.
Maintaining a Focus on Physical Security in a Cyber-focused World
(P&GJ) — In today’s technology-driven world, where cyber-threats dominate headlines and organizations invest significant resources in safeguarding their OT and IT infrastructure from digital threat vectors, the importance of facility physical security can sometimes be overlooked. However, it remains an essential component of enterprise risk mitigation.
Williams' Gas Pipeline in Idaho Ruptures, Company Challenges Explosion Allegations
The rupture occurred when an excavator operator accidentally damaged a 22-inch gas pipeline near Middleton. However, Williams contested the local authorities' account of the incident, asserting no ignition, fire, or explosion was connected to the occurrence.
Seismologists Detected Blast-Like Waves Near Broken Baltic Sea Pipeline
Nordic and Baltic seismologists said that they had detected blast-like waves on Sunday when a Baltic Sea gas pipeline ruptured but that the data was not strong enough to determine whether explosives were involved.
Finland to Restrict Access to LNG Port After Gas Pipeline Damage
Finland on Friday was tightening access to key parts of the country's Inkoo port, where a vessel to import LNG was installed last year, as part of efforts in the wider region to intensify security at energy installations.
U.S. Supports Finland, Estonia as It Probes Baltic Gas Pipeline Burst
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday the United States would support Finland and Estonia as they probe damage to a gas pipeline and a telecommunications cable under the Baltic Sea.
Nordics, Baltics Tighten Security at Energy Installations After Baltic Sea Pipe Burst
Norway and Lithuania tightened security at onshore energy installations following Sunday's gas pipeline gas leak in the Baltic Sea, while Finland recommended energy operators to be more aware of security.
Damaged Pipeline Triggers Gas Explosion, Leveling Home in Woodstock, Illinois
(P&GJ) — A gas explosion occurred in the northern suburbs of Woodstock on Monday, resulting in the leveling of a residence and damage to at least eight other structures. The explosion was triggered by a gas main being accidentally struck during work on a sewer line.
'Outside Activity' Likely Damaged Gas Pipeline, Telecoms Cable, Finland Says
A subsea gas pipeline and a telecommunications cable connecting Finland and Estonia under the Baltic Sea have been damaged in what may have been a deliberate act, the Finnish government said on Tuesday.
- Energy Transfer Subsidiary Selects KTJV for Lake Charles LNG Export Project
- 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
- 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
