September 2018, Vol. 245, No. 9

Permian gas prices will remain weak for the next few years despite nearly 2 Bcf/d of additional pipeline capacity coming online by 2020. This is because the Permian, predominantly a shale oil play, has large quantities of associated gas production.

With this latest order for 11 HOS compressors, the Permian Basin customer has ordered a total of 106 high-speed reciprocating compressors from Dresser-Rand business Siemens since 2012.

As Permian Basin oil production grows, producers must find outlets for the associated natural gas. Once pipeline capacity is fully used, choices are limited. The widening price differential between Waha and Henry Hub indicates pipeline capacity is already somewhat constrained.

The torsional issues and problems reported for pipeline machineries, such as gas compressor trains and pump trains, can sometimes cause operational problems, even damages or failure.

It may not be immediately apparent, but the three natural gas metering technologies – orifice, ultrasonic, and Coriolis – have been intertwined for the past 25 years. The advantages created by progress in one technology have been applied to the others as new technologies have continued to evolve.

When PSE&G identified numerous joint leaks in an aging cast-iron gas main, the Newark-based utility faced the additional challenge of a crowded and complex substructure. Its permanent renewal of the 36-inch main using trenchless methods and a cured-in-place liner set a new world record.

Multiphase fluids in traditional field developments will typically free flow to gathering stations, through surface lines pushed by the natural formation pressure. However, heavy oil and extra heavy oil pose particular challenges for flow through pipelines because the increased viscosities result in high friction losses.

Among major supply factors, deferred maintenance continues to challenge global production. Maintenance is especially critical in basins with aging asset infrastructure, as recently evidenced by the crack in the North Sea Forties pipeline.

GITA’s fall GIS conference has a new name, the Pipeline Technology Forum, but its goal remains the same: timely and accurate delivery of actionable information on new technologies, regulations, best practices and value.

With total assets of $93 billion and a near-term capital investment program of about $28 billion, TransCanada is the country’s second-largest company after Enbridge and enjoys good growth prospects as forecast demand for gas rises by 29 Bcf/d, driven by LNG exports, gas-fired power-generation and industrial demand.

Despite the great overall success of the American energy industry, problems do exist and happen on a near-daily level. While rail accidents occur with more regularity, pipeline spills can actually have more devastating effects.

Dogs can perform a multitude of services including protection, therapy, rescue, and tracking to name a few. They can be trained to detect virtually anything, including pipeline leaks.

A recent composite repair carried out in Gujarat, India, illustrates how local installers redressed pipeline damage, rapidly restoring line integrity and delivering a safe and durable solution.

Mark Limbruner, the current president of the Geospacial Information & Technology Association (GITA), shares his perspective after three decades in the geospatial industry.

Integrity Services Company NDT Global appointed Richard Matthews as its president.

A family of robots is undertaking subsea tasks of automated drilling. Its primary piece of equipment is a “drill floor” heavy-duty, six-axis robot with a load capacity of 1,500 kg.

Fluor Federal Petroleum, the operations and maintenance contractor providing services to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) project, needed to find a way to streamline communications and save time when communicating with their employees, particularly in the event of a workplace emergency.

Emerson launched the latest version of its Smart Meter Verification software for Coriolis and magnetic flow meters.

Ashcroft introduced redesigned differential pressure gauges that offer higher static pressure ratings, improved accuracy and all-welded construction that can withstand line pressures up to 580 psi.

The INNOVA 1512 monitor from LumaSense Technologies uses photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) and non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) technologies to measure almost any gas that absorbs infrared light.