

Editor's Notebook
Necessity Meets Innovation
There has been a major oil leak in progress off the coast of Louisiana for 17 years now, and I’d be willing to bet most people, even those in the industry, don’t know about it.
Global News
Global News January 2022
US Oil Pipelines at Half-Capacity, U.S. Natural Gas Production to Increase in 2022, Osaka Gas Plans to Enter India’s City Market, and more.
Government
Permitting Provision in Infrastructure Bill Disguises Federal Threats Elsewhere
The “permitting” provision in President Biden's Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act creates the illusion that help is on the way at the same time his administration is pursuing other initiatives to hamper pipeline permitting.
Infrastructure Bill Lavishes $44 Billion in New Money on Water Construction
Congress dropped a load of new funding for drinking water and sewer construction in the IIJA, which is meant to be over and above what the appropriations committees will provide annually for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRF), which typically get between $1 billion and $2 billion a year.
Projects
Projects January 2022
GIPL Pipeline Construction Nears Completion, Ironwood Midstream Expanding in South Texas’ Eagle Ford, Dakota Natural Gas Expanding Access with Pipeline Project, and more.
Features
Artificial Intelligence and Pipelines – A Smart Way to Go
Today’s digital world defines so much of the global society from finances to socialization, education to work and play. It is no surprise that the energy sector, too, is increasingly digitized and data-driven.
Russia Making Moves Affecting the Arctic’s Hydrocarbon Future
This is Part 2 of PGJ's article on Russia’s moves under its Strategic Development Act. The strategy gives particular significance to Murmansk Oblast, emphasizing a broad range of complex and multifaceted transformative measures targeting this province.
Worrying About Moving More Swiftly than Usual
In January 2020, Russia’s government approved a number of acts concerned with rendering new economic benefits and subsidies to businesses or investors willing to engage in projects in the country’s High North.
Canary Project Explores “Responsibly Sourced Gas” Possibilities
PureWest Energy LLC took bids on 7% of its Wyoming natural gas output that was certified as coming from net-zero wells that are also certified as being responsibly sourced. PureWest was testing the market.
Safety Techniques for Aboveground Natural Gas Pipelines
There are a variety of techniques used to enhance the safety of aboveground natural gas pipelines. Coatings to minimize corrosion are an example of a safety aspect used by natural gas operators.
Field Coatings for Elevated Temperature Pipelines
Heat shrinkable sleeves have been used for field joint coatings all across the world since the 1960’s. The technology has been almost completely phased out in the United States due to CP shielding issues from disbondments and corrosion failures
Methane Leak Detection Moving to Higher Plateaus
The U.S. government continues to look at rules or fees requiring companies to track and limit volumes of methane released into the atmosphere. Investment companies such as BlackRock are also keeping a close eye on sustainability practices such as methane reduction.
Responding to Failures with 4-Step ACER Analysis for Operators
Integrity management is typically seen as a preventative measure meant to manage the risks present on any given pipeline and avoid failures.
Mega-Field of Zama Draws Big Investment in Mexico
Although Pemex has yet to present a development plan for the Zama oil field, exploration company Talos Energy recently said its value, regardless of operator and equity splits, will be in “multiples of invested capital to date.”
Enbridge’s Cameron Extension Pipeline Project Nearing Completion
Texas Eastern Transmission’s Cameron Extension pipeline project in southwestern Louisiana was on track to be mechanically complete in October, leading to a November 2021 in-service.
Ensuring Resilient Infrastructure and Climate Balance
America’s energy security must be balanced with environmental stewardship while accounting for the needs and impacts of current and future generations.
Inaugural P&GJ Awards Winners Honored at In-Person Houston Gala
An elite group of midstream professionals gathered in Houston on November 18th to attend the inaugural Pipeline & Gas Journal Awards gala, which honored the midstream industry’s leading innovations and outstanding personal contributions.
EIA Reports
Crude Oil Demand Returns Faster Than Supply
The price of U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude oil is near its highest level since 2014, increasing rapidly from low prices in mid-2020.
Added Transnational Oil Pipeline Capacity Could Reduce Oil by Rail
The Enbridge Line 3 replacement pipeline, which delivers crude oil from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, to Superior, Wisconsin, became fully operational on Oct. 1, increasing the pipeline’s capacity to 760,000 bpd.
Tech Notes
University of Houston’s Falcon In-Pipeline Leak Solution
A breakthrough in leak risk detection at oil pipe flanges comes from research by the University of Houston using a Saab Seaeye Falcon robot as a development platform.
Inspecting Deepwater Risers, Flowlines on a West Africa Flowline Loop
Effective integrity management of subsea pipelines has been especially challenging due to the difficulty of pipeline access, safety and other considerations.
What's New
What's New January 2022
What's new in products and services from Saint-Gobain, NDT Global, Vermeer, Netzsch, Ralston, and Brooks.
Business
Guest Commentary
Regulatory Developments in Pipeline Cybersecurity
The Transportation Security Administration is overhauling its strategy for cybersecurity in the pipeline sector.