Operations

Emerging Trends, Approaches in Engineering Assessments Pipeline Safety

The increased application of robust engineering assessments/fitness-for-service evaluations is expected to play out in several key ways.

Texas RRC Commissioners Assess Unusually Heavy Amount of Enforcement Fines

The Railroad Commission of Texas assessed $1,008,396 in fines with pipeline operators and excavators ticketed $476,200 for violations of the Commission’s Pipeline Damage Prevention rules, the Commission said on Wednesday.

Freeport LNG Plant Suffers Explosion, Nearby Residents Evacuated, Police Say

A explosion and fire on Wednesday hit the massive Freeport LNG liquefied natural gas plant on the Texas Gulf Coast, prompting an evacuation of nearby residents in Quintana, Texas.

US Envoy Expected to Visit Beirut Next Week Over Israel Gas Dispute

A U.S. mediator will visit Beirut next week to discuss a dispute over a maritime border with Israel, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said on Tuesday, according to a parliament source and local media.

Norway LNG Plant Resumes Output, Boosting Gas Exports

Norway's Hammerfest liquefied natural gas plant has restarted production following a fire almost two years ago, boosting the country's gas exports, operator Equinor said on Thursday.

RTUs Working in the Field for Oil and Gas Pipelines

The second line of the China-Russia crude oil pipeline began commercial operation in January 2018 and doubled China’s annual imports of Russian crude oil from 15 million to 30 million tons.

Securing Pipeline Endpoints Against Rising Global Threats

As Ukrainians fight to hold the line against heavy shelling and missile strikes, Russia is being admonished by Ukraine’s international supporters. Moscow promises to cause as much disruption as possible to its detractors with a full-on cyber retaliation.

How to Choose a Regulator in Five Steps

Pressure regulators play a crucial role in many industrial fluid and instrumentation systems, helping to maintain or control desired pressure and flow in response to system changes.

Federal Pipeline Agencies Accepting Applications for Pipeline Safety Program

PHMSA has begun accepting applications for its new Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization Grant program, which will offer nearly $200 million in grants annually over the next five years to improve the safety of high-risk, leak-prone natural gas distribution infrastructure.

Norway's Hammerfest LNG Plant Extends Outage until May 27

Norway's Hammerfest LNG plant is now expected to restart on May 27, four days later than the previous plan and further delaying operations since a fire in 2020, Norwegian gas system manager Gassco said.

The Cultural Divide Between IT & OT Puts Critical Operations at Risk

Cultural and technical differences between traditional IT best practices and what is possible in OT increases an organization’s risk for costly cyber incidents.

An Executive’s Guide to Industrial Cybersecurity

What you need to know to keep your operational technology secure.

5 Critical Controls for World-Class OT Cybersecurity

How to align your leadership and implement a successful operational technology (OT) security posture.

Enhancing Pipeline Security: Cybersecurity Alone Is Not Enough

Like any industrial operation, pipeline operators strive to provide safety and reliability in the delivery of their products. However, impacts from a variety of factors – from natural and environmental processes to vandalism and terrorism – threaten to disrupt the safety and reliability of pipeline systems.

Deadly Explosion Rocks Hotel in Cuba, Gas Leak Suspected

A deadly explosion hit a well-known hotel in downtown Havana on Friday, tearing a gash several floors high into the side of the building, killing at least eight people and sending another 30 to hospital, witnesses and Cuban state media said.

BP, Colonial and Phillips 66 Win 2021 API Distinguished Pipeline Safety Awards

The American Petroleum Institute (API) announced the winners of the 2021 API Distinguished Pipeline Safety Awards including a small, medium and large pipeline operator that were recognized for their commitment to safety and work to advance a zero incidents culture.

API, AOPL Report Shows Strengthened Pipeline Safety Performance

The Association of Oil Pipe Lines (AOPL) and the American Petroleum Institute (API) today released their annual 2021 Pipeline Safety Excellence Performance Report, which found that the safety of liquids pipelines increased across several key indicators.

27-Day ILI Run: A Case Study of a Low-Pressure, Low-Flow Gathering Line

In 2011, a customer, who was in a difficult situation, approached Pipesurvey International (PSI). The customer had a pipeline that ran from the Q1 Field in the North Sea 52 miles (81 km) off the coast of The Netherlands, to an offshore terminal that needed an in-line inspection (ILI).

Virginia Natural Gas to Deploy Drones to Inspect 5,500 Miles of Gas Pipeline

Virginia Natural Gas said it will use drones to perform equipment inspections across its natural gas infrastructure. The drones will begin flights across Hampton Roads conducting inspections of critical infrastructure, right-of-way assessments, and 5,500 miles of gas pipeline.

Engineer’s Role in Hazardous Area Classification

Hazardous area classification is not a new technique to address the risk associated with flammable gas, vapor, liquids and dust. It involves evaluating a location or process for hazards of fire or the probability of incident.

Using Motion Cameras to Evaluate Flow-Induced Vibration

Piping vibration issues is an area of concern for the oil and gas industry, because it may cause severe plant production interruptions, impact plant integrity, compromise workers safety and/or impact the environment.

Rule Adds Protocols for Pipelines Near Sensitive Waterways

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) to the Federal Register in December that designated the Great Lakes, coastal beaches and marine coastal waters as “Unusually Sensitive Areas.”

Exxon Mobil May Completely Withdraw from Russia by June 24 — Sources

Exxon Mobil is considering a complete withdrawal from Russia by June 24, following the U.S. group's decision back in March to exit from its oil and gas operations in the country.

Natgas Pipeline Explosion Injures Two at Louisiana Air Force Base

The incident occurred on a 10-inch (25.4 cm) natural gas gathering line located on the base, a spokesperson for Energy Transfer LP said, adding, "the line was immediately shut in and the area is secure."

Cheniere Launches Program to Monitor GHG Emissions on Natural Gas Systems

Cheniere Energy Inc. has entered a collaboration with natural gas midstream companies to implement quantification and monitoring of GHG emissions on natural gas gathering, processing, and storage systems.

CPCM – An ILI Methodology to Assess the Effectiveness of CP

The role of cathodic protection (CP) is to mitigate damaging corrosion from the surface of the structure being protected.

Southwest Gas Holdings to Consider Sale After Another Acquisition Bid

Icahn has sought to gain control of the company's board after the company adopted a shareholder rights plan in October to stop the investor's push to make the company abandon its $2 billion takeover of Questar Pipelines.

US Natgas Jumps 4% To Fresh 13-Year High on Small Storage Build

U.S. natural gas futures gained about 4% to close at a fresh 13-year high on Thursday on a smaller than usual storage build and a recent drop in U.S. output.

Xebec Wins $113.5 Million Order for Carbon Capture, Sequestration Equipment

Xebec Adsorption Inc. has inked a binding contract to supply large-scale CO2 compression equipment for world’s largest carbon capture and storage project.

Williams’ Natural Gas Pipeline Ruptures in Alabama

The incident happened at a natural gas compressor facility owned by The Williams Companies Inc., located on Highway 69 in southwest Marengo County, Alabama.