Operations

Enbridge U.S. TETCO NatGas Pipe Prepares to Return to Full Service

Enbridge Inc's Texas Eastern Transmission unit said it provided all the information federal safety regulators requested and is preparing to increase pressure in its Pennsylvania to Mississippi pipeline as soon regulators approve.

Energy Transfer Says It Addressed Most Pipeline Safety Issues Raised by Regulator

Energy Transfer LP said it has already addressed most of the possible safety violations pertaining to the operation of the Dakota Access Pipeline raised by a federal regulator, and was working to resolve remaining issues.

US Regulator Issues Notice to Dakota Access Pipeline Over Safety Concerns

The U.S. Department of Transportation's pipeline regulator put the operator of the Dakota Access Pipeline, Energy Transfer LP, on notice for probable violations of safety regulations and proposed a civil penalty against it.

Burns & McDonnell’s Glaeser Looks to Pipeline Integrity Future

In this conversation with P&GJ, Scott Glaeser discusses ramifications of the Mega Rule, upgrading existing pipelines and cybersecurity.

PIDX Emissions Data Exchange Initiative Moves Emissions Reporting Forward

PIDX International, a professional standards organization comprised of energy industry leaders, announced that its emissions transparency data exchange (ETDX) project team is moving forward with scope 3 emissions reporting.

What's New July 2021

Vermeer   Vermeer expanded its horizontal directional drilling (HDD) fluid management equipment line with the new R600T reclaimer. The new 600-gallons/minute (2,271-liters/minute) mud recycling system can pair with maxi rigs pumping between 300 and 600 gal..

Using RTUs in Monitoring Pipelines in Extreme Conditions

In remote locations, communications may be slow, intermittent or unreliable. The RTU is the device at the edge – sitting between the control room and the field instruments – that provides a low-latency response to changing site conditions and performs data filtering.

Reassessing Value Placed on System Pressure Tests

Since the cost of failures during the construction of offshore pipelines is significant, over time, an extensive quality management regime has been developed. One such measure is to pressure test the whole pipeline system when the build is completed.

Options for Internal Inspection of Difficult-to-Check Pipelines

In the second part of this article, different case studies introduce the different categories of tools for the inspection of challenging pipelines, including specialty free-swimming, umbilical and robotic.

A Case Study: Control Room Management as a Service

As technology has advanced and overhead costs have grown, operators have voiced their concerns about how prohibitive the costs of such a framework are becoming for daily operations. In response, a new model of CRM and related operations has emerged to reduce operator costs, improve operational efficiency, and assist with CRM compliance.

Validating Meter Accuracy Simplified Using Flow Conditioning

AGA Report No. 9 requires flow calibration for all applications to reduce the meter’s overall uncertainty. Because of field installation effects, AGA 9 also discusses uncertainty requirements that an ultrasonic meter manufacturer must meet once the meter is installed.

Remote Telemetry Units Aided in China-Russia Crude Oil Pipeline Construction

This article examines how TBox-MS Remote Telemetry Units were used in the extreme conditions of the China-Russia crude oil pipeline, which set a new record by constructing more than 800 kilometers of pipeline in 180 days, in a high latitude, extremely cold environment.

Nigeria Losing 200,000 BPD to Pipeline Damage, Minister Says

Nigeria is losing an average of 200,000 barrels of oil per day - more than 10% of its production - to pipeline vandalism, the country's information minister said on Monday.

Gas Pipeline Explosion Kills Two in Collin County, Texas

An explosion on a natural gas pipeline in Collin County, Texas, near the town of Farmersville, killed two people and injured three, local media reports said.

Following Senate, U.S. House Reverses Trump Rollbacks of Methane Rules

The U.S. House of Representatives voted 229-191 to nullify the Trump administration's 2020 rollback of regulations to curb the emissions of greenhouse gas methane from oil and gas infrastructure, following a similar move by the Senate in April.

Report Shows Safety, Reliability Improvements Among Pipelines

Liquids pipeline incidents affecting people or the environment decreased 38% over the last five years, while total pipeline incidents were down 21%, according to government pipeline safety data.

Police Detain Eight Employees of China Gas Unit After Deadly Pipeline Blast

Eight employees at a China Gas Holdings unit have been detained by local police following a fatal gas pipeline explosion on Sunday, according to a statement by the Shiyan city government.

New Technology from Onboard Dynamics Can Reduce Fugitive Methane Releases

This mobile, fully integrated solution will provide operators of natural gas pipelines a tool to safely minimize their greenhouse gas emissions during routine pipeline maintenance.

Key Win for Enbridge Oil Pipeline as Minnesota Court Affirms Regulator Approval

The Minnesota Court of Appeals on Monday affirmed a state regulator's decision that there is sufficient need for Enbridge Inc to replace its Line 3 pipeline, handing the Canadian company a crucial victory in its lengthy battle with environmental opponents.

Libya Oil Pipeline Leaks Hitting Output, NOC Chief Says

The head of Libya's National Oil Corp (NOC) reiterated on Wednesday the need for funds for much needed repairs in the oil industry after corroded pipelines recently hit production.

U.S. Pipeline Operators Should Prepare for Methane Curbs

The U.S. Department of Transportation's pipeline regulator on Monday sent an advisory to oil and gas pipeline operators directing them to update their inspection and maintenance plans for curbing the release of potent greenhouse gas methane, as part of the Biden administration's broader effort to combat climate change.

Natural Gas Production in Extreme Weather

During the February freeze event, the wells themselves did not freeze or fail, the ancillary equipment downstream did. This distinction is important, because it can affect the manner in which the natural gas industry seeks to mitigate risks from future freeze events.

Sulfur Removal Solutions for Gas Gathering Systems

Pipelines are considered one of the safest, most reliable, most efficient and economic means of transporting large quantities of natural gas, crude and refined petroleum products. However, sulfur contaminants in the form of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and mercaptans (RSH) pose significant safety, operational, environmental and compliance problems.

PVC Pipes Dominate South Africa Pipelines Market by Wide Margin

South Africa’s plastic pipes market is dominated by polyvinyl pipes, according to a survey by industry lobby Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association.

Monitoring Pipelines to Protect Against Theft, Leaks

Oil and gas pipeline operators are under enormous pressure to reduce risk across their networks while simultaneously lowering costs. This can be achieved through effectively monitoring and maintaining the integrity of the pipeline networks to minimize product loss.

Options for Internal Inspection of Difficult-to-Check Pipelines

Pipelines are essentially cylindrical pressure vessels. Any medium transported must not leak out. Each built to a specific design pressure, they must be operated efficiently and effectively to ensure not just safety and environmental protection but also optimum performance.

Strategic Approach to Automated Leak, Rupture Detection

Remaining vigilant is the best approach when mitigating oil and gas pipeline leaks and ruptures, particularly with new legislation and other requirements that can lead to penalties and fines, not to mention the negative impact on a company’s image.

A Different Perspective on Pipeline Repairs

For the past few decades, the industry has been repairing pipelines in the same fashion. Typically, either welded steel sleeves are used on our pipe, Type A or Type B, or composite materials such as E-glass, carbon fiber and Kevlar are used to repair defects.

Fire Breaks Out at Tehran Oil Refinery

A huge fire broke out at an oil refinery in the southern part of the Iranian capital Tehran due to a pipeline leak, Iranian state media reported, saying there were so far no reports of casualties.

Colonial Pipeline Says Temporary Network Disruption Resolved

Colonial Pipeline, the largest fuel pipeline in the United States, said it had resolved a temporary network disruption, just weeks after a ransomware attack crippled fuel delivery for several days in the southeast region.