Technology/R&D
Designing, Building Pipeline Infrastructure for CO2 Transport
With energy security and climate change at the top of the global agenda, carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) is gaining momentum. CCUS technology offers a solution supporting production of incremental hydrocarbon reserves from existing fields while storing CO2 away from the atmosphere.
Road to NGVs Hopefully Paved with Good Inventions to Match Intentions
Even in the midst of an oil price crash globally, alternative fuels for transportation stimulate conversation at just about any business or public policy gathering, and increasingly natural gas has had a ringside seat for those discussions. In fact, even sustainability advocates who see zero-emission as the ultimate goal give the natural gas sector credit for creating more interest in alternative fuels, particularly among businesses.
Use of Ultrasonics for Measuring Sludge, Sediment Levels
In 2013, SGS PfiNDE received a call from a client pipeline company which transports a light hydrocarbon product with entrained particulate and sediment through a 150-mile section of pipeline in Minnesota. The company encountered a challenge when, after cleaning the first 20-mile section of the pipeline, the cleaning tool became blocked by, what was determined to be, the excessive buildup of sediment in front of the cleaning tool. Due to the large amount of sediment in this particular line, the tool had gathered enough sludge to completely stop any further progress of the cleaning pig.
Developing Crack Size Detection Criteria for Unpiggable Gas Pipelines
NYSEARCH/Northeast Gas Association (NGA) and development partner Invodane Engineering have introduced the Explorer series of robotic internal inspection platforms and sensors which can perform integrity assessments on natural gas pipelines now incapable of using conventional inline inspection (ILI) technology. The commercial partner on the project is Pipetel Technologies Inc.
Pipeline Integrity: Its An Imperative, Not A Choice
The late 19th century’s most brilliant businessman, J.D. Rockefeller, was an oil tycoon who discovered that the best way to take advantage of his country’s growing thirst for oil was to control distribution. Although the pipeline that Rockefeller built in the 1870s wouldn’t look like much compared to today’s sophisticated pipeline networks, it was an engineering feat that helped his company ensure oil got to the clients who needed it most.
Tackling Valve Misalignment Problems
Valve misalignments are a real issue in the petrochemical industry where misalignments in tank fields and blending areas can result in financial losses from product quality and environmental safety issues. This article describes an electronic pin board software solution developed by Matrix Technologies, Inc., a certified member of the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA), to mitigate valve misalignments and improve efficiency in the alignment process. It also details some of the underlying technologies used in the software and the gains that have resulted from its use.
Digital Platform Serves as Clearinghouse for Automation Industry
People who work in the oil and gas pipeline industry have a convenient new way to locate experts, equipment and software they need for integrating control systems at their facilities. The Industrial Automation Exchange is an online community introduced last year by the only nonprofit, trade association for system integrators, the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA). The community features profiles of system integrators and industry suppliers as well as a clearinghouse for information about industrial automation.
Inline Inspection, Pigging Methods For Managing Pipeline Integrity
Corrosion, erosion and other forms of material degradation can cause critical damage to steel pipelines and riser systems, potentially resulting in health and safety hazards and costly repairs for oil and gas operators. Inspection technologies are available to evaluate pipeline integrity, and as a result, maximize the economic recovery of oil and gas reserves.
NTSB Study Seeks Changes to Gas Transmission Integrity Programs
A new National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) study calls for major changes to integrity management (IM) programs of gas transmission pipelines in high-consequence areas (HCAs).
Point Integrity Solutions Awarded Patent
Southampton, NJ-based Point Integrity Solutions has been issued a patent for the pipeline probe tool known as the Point Guard. This enhances the ability of pipeline technicians to detect the pipe before damaging the coating or pipe itself. Typically, field engineers and technicians rely on mapping, pipe locators and standard probe rods to determine the location of a pipeline before excavation begins. This allows for a chance of pipe or coating damage if a probe rod is applied with too much force or a probe mistakes a rock or hard surface for a pipeline.
New Concept Based On Big Data To Pipeline Risk Management
In the last several decades, there has been a rapid rise in the use of pipeline risk assessment for managing pipeline safety. It has become an important part of pipeline integrity management, but risk assessment is not an absolute science.
Facility Expansion Underway At CDI
CDI, one of the world’s leaders in pipeline pig detection, recording and locating technology, broke ground recently for its expansion project in Broken Arrow, OK.
How Network Segmentation Improves Operational Security For Pipelines
Network segmentation is a fundamental component of cybersecurity, yet it is so difficult to implement in a gas and pipeline environment. There is flawed thinking in part due to an industry-wide focus on perimeter security, a carryover from the days of air gap protection.
Tablets In The Field: Pipeline Post-Construction Restoration Monitoring Case Study
For over a decade, surveyors across many disciplines (biologists, geologists, archeologists, engineers, etc.) have relied on the same traditional methods for collecting field data, which typically includes carrying a handheld GPS unit for identifying location coordinates, documenting findings in logbooks and taking photos using a digital camera.
Creative Responses To Provide Natural Gas
With the continuing expansion of natural gas development in shale plays across the nation, pipeline infrastructure continues to be built out, with product making the trek from source points to downstream consumers. However, not every end-user has access to affordable natural gas yet.
Achieving Vital Security With Cloud Services
Are your company’s business systems connected in any way to the industrial control systems (ICS), including Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), which are used to manage the company’s critical infrastructure? If they are, and the best guess is they are, then the ICS/SCADA could be vulnerable to cyberattacks in addition to the business side of the networks.
Editor's Notebook: Local Updates
I hope the industry is paying attention to some regionalized developments that could hamper activity, at least in the short term.
Energy Providers, Including Pipelines, Vulnerable To Malware
Financial services firms may have a slight edge in security readiness over their energy sector counterparts, but not by much. These two industries – highly targeted by cybercriminals – must move quickly to address their cybersecurity deficiencies and shore up their defenses against advanced malware threats.
Improving Cybersecurity Defenses In Oil And Gas Applications
In recent years, there have been a number of high-profile, advanced malware threats that targeted or attacked the energy sector such as Dragonfly, Stuxnet, Flame and Shamoon. And while these threats need to be taken into account when analyzing and preparing for potential security risks, they actually only account for a low number of overall threat sources.
In Turnaround, FERC Proposes to Allow Surcharges to Fund Modernization
In a departure from past policy, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is considering allowing interstate pipelines to recoup the costs of complying with federal environmental and safety regulations.
What's New December 2014
New products and services from Digi International, Taxography, Heath Consultants, ESAB, Vacuworx, Puradyn, Latham & Watkins, Fecon, Victaulic, Kepware, Quest Integrity Group and more.
Determining Design Life Of Assemblies Of Polyethylene Pipe
Improvements in long-term performance of polyethylene (PE) piping compounds have created interest in the use of higher operating pressures for gas distribution piping systems. In Canada, this has culminated in the approval of PE 100 pipe with an operating pressure of 145 pounds per square inch gage (psig) for SDR 11 pipe, and the approval of PE 2708 PLUS and PE 4710 PLUS compounds that qualify for a 0.45 design factor for gas applications.
Dresser-Rand Noise Tests Largest Pipe Resonator Array Ever Produced
Dresser-Rand Group recently carried out a noise test for the largest pipe resonator array ever produced. Conducted on a 30-inch pipe, it was intended to confirm the estimated noise attenuation on a compressor operated by Norwegian-based Statoil.
Tandem Diagnostics, Repairs Solution Targets Gas Pipe Leaks
No one questions the need for utility companies to adopt a feasible, cost-effective solution for North America’s aging infrastructure. A recent study by <em>USA Today</em> points out that the consequence of mismanaging and ignoring the state of pipelines is nothing short of embarrassingly disastrous.
High-Tech Tools Have Key Place In Pipeline Routing
Extensive planning and coordination are involved in routing a pipeline. Many factors must be addressed in planning a route that incorporates landowner considerations, environmental factors and constructability issues.
GE Power & Water Celebrates Milestone
GE Power & Water’s Distributed Power business has shipped its 33,000th gas engine since first production 90 years ago. The milestone was celebrated Oct. 8 in conjunction with the High Horsepower Summit in New Orleans.
Add Longer-Term Value To Inline Inspection Through Mapping
Natural force damage from earth movement and heavy rains or floods accounts for only 8% of all pipeline failure incidents. However, these type of incidents account for 34% of all property damage.
Industrial Internet Technology For Safer, More Efficient Pipelines
GE and Accenture last month announced the launch of the Intelligent Pipeline Solution, the first-ever Industrial Internet offering to help pipeline operators make better decisions concerning the condition of their critical machines and assets in the oil and gas pipeline industry.
Remote Diagnostics Surveillance Improves Fiscal Assurance
In the high-risk environment of the oil and gas industry, an enormous amount of resources is employed and devoted to ensuring the environment, the assets we manage and our personnel are protected.
Traceability: A Technology, Requirement And Future For Pipelines
<em>“The overriding lesson: great software can fail if it is not paired with industry expertise.” – Brett Vogt, Project Consulting Services, Inc. </em> Whether they are people, places or things, there is nothing that can escape electronic scrutiny in the 21st century, pipelines included. With the right planning, personnel and software systems, both industry and government representatives agree that the tools are in place to maintain control and complete records for the North American, if the not the world’s, oil and natural gas pipelines.
- Trump Aims to Revive 1,200-Mile Keystone XL Pipeline Despite Major Challenges
- Valero Considers All Options, Including Sale, for California Refineries Amid Regulatory Pressure
- ConocoPhillips Eyes Sale of $1 Billion Permian Assets Amid Marathon Acquisition
- ONEOK Agrees to Sell Interstate Gas Pipelines to DT Midstream for $1.2 Billion
- Energy Transfer Reaches FID on $2.7 Billion, 2.2 Bcf/d Permian Pipeline
- U.S. LNG Export Growth Faces Uncertainty as Trump’s Tariff Proposal Looms, Analysts Say
- Tullow Oil on Track to Deliver $600 Million Free Cash Flow Over Next 2 Years
- Energy Transfer Reaches FID on $2.7 Billion, 2.2 Bcf/d Permian Pipeline
- GOP Lawmakers Slam New York for Blocking $500 Million Pipeline Project
- Texas Oil Company Challenges $250 Million Insurance Collateral Demand for Pipeline, Offshore Operations
