January 2021, Vol. 248, No. 1

Despite recent hard times, there is reason to believe relatively good news is around the corner for the midstream sector.

B&V is advocating for a more integrated, advanced and complete system for the management of long-haul pipelines. The company has drilled down to pipeline control rooms and their management, noting operators need to look beyond the stringent regulations governing their operations.

The onset of COVID-19 caused a decline in gas demand of around 4% with a similar decline in the LNG trade. Most forecasts expect gas demand to recover in 2021 to pre-pandemic levels. But what happens thereafter?

Morgan Stanley went so far as to upgrade the 2021 outlook for midstream as “attractive,” in the wake of post-pandemic re-openings and the sector’s “self-help” measures.

To cope with increasing data volume, big data technologies are a must, say experts – combined with the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning – for robust, consistent and accurate analysis of pipelines.

The confluence of 2020's events led to a series of bankruptcies and restructurings under the weight of heavy debt loads while operating in one of the worst industry downturns in history.

There are many variables when considering a composite repair, making it almost impossible for a single, ready-made composite to work well in every situation.

Among other consequences, a major cyber-breach could result in additional disruptions to commodity prices, widespread energy shortages or outages, and loss of life and property.

Direct assessment is a process through which a pipeline operator determines a pipeline’s integrity through integrating knowledge of the physical characteristics and operating history of a pipeline with the results of diagnostic testing.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts residential natural gas consumption for the winter season will average 21.1 Bcf/d, 5% more than last winter, due to colder temperatures and changes in consumer behavior.

The Commission of the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) has recommended federal cabinet approval of NOVA Gas Transmission (NGTL) Edson Mainline Expansion Project, which includes the construction and operation of 53 miles (85 km) of natural gas pipeline loops in two sections, along with the associated facilities.

Sustainable infrastructure company Merit SI has completed development and construction of the first solar power plant in the U.S. designed to directly help power an interstate natural gas pipeline compressor station.

With slightly less than one year to go until the opening day, momentum continues to build behind the 23rd World Petroleum Congress (WPC), which looks set to continue into 2021.

ONE Future, a coalition of 32 natural gas companies, said its 2019 report on methane showed the companies registered an intensity number of 0.334%, beating its 1% goal by 67%.

Regulatory processes on opposite sides of the Atlantic highlighted a critical climate protection challenge: How can the oil and gas industry – and the regulators who oversee it – best detect and address methane emissions to protect the environment and the climate in particular?

The Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) and the American Petroleum Institute (API) praised Congress for passing the Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act (PIPES Act) in the 2021 omnibus spending package.

Pinnacle Midstream II in late December 2020 said that it has signed a 15-year gas gathering, processing and purchase agreement with DoublePoint Energy, which anchors Pinnacle’s greenfield build of a new natural gas gathering and compression system in the Midland Basin.

A ground-breaking project to lay a gas pipeline beneath the River Humber in the English coastal village of Goxhill has entered the Guinness Book of World Records.

With the arrival of the Biden administration and the ascension of environmental concerns to provide a spike in political pressure, the Army Corps of Engineers may have to rethink its proposed changes to the nationwide permits it issues for all sorts of dredge and fill construction activities around wetlands, including gas and water pipelines.

Neptune Energy announced a new partnership with 3-D technology specialist, Eserv, as part of the ongoing digitalization of Neptune’s assets, including its operated Cygnus gas platform in the southern North Sea in the U.K.

Open Grid Europe is testing the recently completed $705 million (600 million euro) Zeelink gas pipeline with plans to make it operational, possibly as early as March 2021.

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) developer Tellurian told federal energy regulators it wants to withdraw its application to build the Permian Global Access natural gas pipeline in Texas and Louisiana.

In his role as president of the Texas Pipeline Association (TPA), Thure Cannon spearheads the organization’s advocacy on issues related to pipeline safety, environmental regulations, taxation and legislation for the state’s pipeline industry.