Operations

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.

Japanese Firms, Petronas to Launch CO2 Storage Project by Late 2028

Japanese companies have agreed to develop a carbon capture and storage (CCS) project with Malaysian energy firm Petronas which should start holding its first carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from end-2028, Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. said on Monday.

Iraq-Turkey Pipeline Restart Talks Exclude Industry Representation, APIKUR Says

APIKUR, which represents international companies involved in upstream oil or gas contracts in Iraq's Kurdistan region, have not been contacted by Iraqi or Kurdish officials for a deal to allow the resumption of oil flows from the Iraq-Turkey pipeline.

Texas Regulator Assesses Over $1 Million in Fines for Oil, Gas Operators

(P&GJ) — The Railroad Commission of Texas assessed $1,063,647 in fines involving 342 enforcement dockets against operators and businesses at the Commissioners’ Conference on Nov. 15.

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.

Emerging Threats of Climate Change, Vandalism

(P&GJ) — Pipeline integrity management systems (PIMS) are now in common practice, driven by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) requirements in the U.S. In June 2022, PHMSA updated an advisory bulletin on earth movement and geohazards, to monitor changing weather patterns and consider the risk posed by climate change.

Internal Corrosion’s Threat to Pipeline Integrity

(P&GJ) — Pipeline integrity is critical for ensuring the safe transportation of oil and gas products. Internal corrosion is an element of pipeline integrity that poses a significant concern for operators. According to PHMSA, “internal corrosion historically accounts for approximately 60% of all pipeline incidents caused by corrosion in transmission and gathering pipelines.”

Indonesia's Pertamina, Chevron Agree to Share Data to Develop Carbon Storage Facility

Indonesian state oil company Pertamina signed agreements with U.S. oil company Chevron to share data aimed at developing a carbon capture facility in East Kalimantan, Pertamina said in a statement on Tuesday.

Freeport LNG Plant in Texas Set to Resume Operations After Monday Shutdown

U.S. liquefied natural gas company Freeport LNG's export plant in Texas was on track to return to service on Tuesday after all of its liquefaction trains shut on Monday, according to data from financial firm LSEG.

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.

Regulators Say Loss of Everett LNG Terminal Threatens New England Energy Reliability

A possible loss of the Everett Marine LNG terminal can jeopardize the reliability of New England's energy supply during extreme cold weather, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the North American Electric Reliability Corp. said on Monday.

Diamondback Energy Aims to Be a Buyer in U.S. Shale Consolidation

Diamondback Energy on Monday said it expects to be a buyer of rivals, rather than their target, amid consolidation in the shale industry, and raised its full-year oil production forecast.

New Fortress Delays Start of Mexico's First LNG Plant Until December

U.S. LNG developer New Fortress Energy has postponed the commercial start of Mexico's first LNG plant to December, company officials said on Wednesday, following delays in receiving the infrastructure.

Paradigm Shifts in Natural Gas Measurement, Maintenance

(P&GJ) — What drives paradigm shifts? Are paradigm shifts in industry the result of changes in behavior which lead to technology innovation, or does technology innovation precede paradigm shifts in behavior? This existential “what came first, the chicken or the egg” question may not have a universal answer, but in mature, risk averse, and regulated industries, the answer is almost universally the latter.

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.

Bakken Case Study: Expanding Operations Depends on Thick-Walled HDPE Pipe

(P&GJ) – As Continental Resources expands its operation in Dunn County, North Dakota, an important component is the use of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe that was selected not only for its integrity but also because it can be installed without scaring the environment.

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.

Significance of API 1164 in Safeguarding Pipelines

(P&GJ) — Digital connectivity comes at a steep cost: security. Hardly a news cycle goes by without word of a cyberattack compromising sensitive data. Yet, the proverbial genie is already out of the bottle.

Algeria's Sonatrach Plans $1 Billion Project for Natural Carbon Storage

Algeria's state oil and gas firm Sonatrach has plans for a $1 billion project for natural carbon storage through planting 420 million trees over 10 years, Algeria's Ennahar TV reported on Monday, citing Energy Minister Mohamed Arkab as saying.

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.

Port of Corpus Christi Breaks Records with 52 Million Tons Moved in Q3

(P&GJ) — For the first time in its history, Port of Corpus Christi customers have moved more than 50 million tons of goods through the Corpus Christi Ship Channel in a single quarter, setting a record for the sixth consecutive quarter.