May 2022, Vol. 249, No. 5

Archive

Editor's Notebook

Another Pothole in the Road

With its new policy declaring that greenhouse gas and “environmental justice” must be taken into account during the approval process for natural gas pipelines, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has outdone itself in further muddying the road forward for future projects.

Projects

$21 Million Investment Secured to Complete Mountain Valley Pipeline

$21 Million Investment Secured to Complete Mountain Valley Pipeline, Italy’s Draghi Discussed Idea of Italy–Spain Pipeline with Counterpart, Texas Pipeline Company Max Energy Purchases Southcross Gas Pipeline and more.

Government

Russia Concerns Loom Over FERC and EPA Anti-Pipeline Efforts

Pipeline companies had already been pressuring the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine to rethink its two new policy statements on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and pipeline certificates.

Features

Renewable Natural Gas: Pipe Dream or Industry Future?

After several decades of being a favorite of the environmental community, natural gas finds itself amid climate change worries on the outside looking in, seeking to make billions of dollars of pipeline, processing and storage infrastructure relevant in a world hungry for a carbon-free energy future by 2050.

AGA Chair Embraces Technology as Key to Natural Gas’ Role in Energy Transition

For 2022, Kim Greene has taken on an additional leadership role as chair of the American Gas Association (AGA), bringing her passion for the industry and its safe delivery of natural gas to the top of the organization.

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.

U.S. Update: Midstream Markets Turn Up Gas on Higher Prices, Global Demand

The surge of LNG expansion activity continued in March and April after the Ukraine invasion, as President Joe Biden promised the United States would deliver at least 15 Bcm in additional LNG to Europe this year than previously planned, with more to come in future years.

Marcellus, Utica Operators Post Victories, Recalibrate

To be sure, it has not been an easy road, but of all the projects that have been completed this year, the Mariner East system may be midstream’s most satisfying – it certainly has been for those in the Marcellus and Utica shale plays of Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio.

Germany, Netherlands Up Ambition for North Sea Hydrogen Hubs

There is no shortage of ideas when it comes to exploiting the strong winds offshore Germany and the Netherlands to produce green hydrogen.

Preparing America’s Pipeline Infrastructure for the Hydrogen Economy

Hydrogen is poised to play an essential role in the global energy transition, and it holds enormous potential in helping sectors—from mobility to power generation—achieve deep decarbonization.

EIA Update: Last Year, 14 Liquids Pipeline Projects Completed In US

Last Year, 14 Liquids Pipeline Projects Completed In US, Crude Oil Prices Increased as Global Demand Outpaced Supply and Interstate Gas Pipeline Capacity Additions Decrease in 2021.

INGAA CEO: Natural Gas Critical to Energy Mix Amid Renewable Push

Natural gas and related infrastructure will be critical to securing a low-carbon economy and will continue to be a significant contributor to the U.S. long-term energy mix, according to the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America’s (INGAA) President and CEO Amy Andryszak.

Study Finds Flowmeter Market Rebounding After Pandemic
E&P

The flowmeter market is now strong and trending upward as the economy regains its footing and rising oil and gas prices drive exploration and production, according to a new study by Flow Research Inc.

New Prospects Emerge in Guyana-Suriname Basin

In 2000, the federal government’s U.S. Geological Survey, based in Washington, D.C., identified the Guyana-Suriname Basin as having the second highest resource potential among unexplored oil and gas basins in the world.

Unclaimed Funds in the Pipeline Industry

A number of businesses and organizations involved in the pipeline industry may have funds owed to them by states within the United States and provinces in Canada.

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).

Tech Notes

HDD Implemented in Nueces Bay Intersect Bore

NuStar Energy, based in San Antonio, Texas, tapped Hard Rock Directional Drilling to extend one of its three South Texas Pipeline Systems.

Strategy Garners $100 Million in Project-Related Contracts

EnerMech secured more than $100 million of pre-commissioning and new pipeline contract awards, following a $30 million equipment investment program across its global locations.

Preventing Hydrate Formation Problems at Storage Sites

In natural gas storage facilities in underground salt caverns, hydrates can easily form in the pipes, clogging them and making regular measurement of the gas pressure difficult.

What's New

What's New May 2022

Emerson, RegO, Sick, Dekotec, Esco Tool and Polygon.

Business

People in the News May 2022

People  Superior Pipeline Company announced three key promotions on its senior management team.  Bill Ward was promoted to president of the Tulsa, Oklahoma-based company from senior vice president of Commercial Activities. Ed Alexander was promoted to chief financial officer and controller from sen..

Companies in the News May 2022

DEKOTEC GmbH, Corrosion Resistant Alloys and AMECO.

Associations in the News May 2022

Associations  The Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) announced the recipients of its inaugural GECF Awards.  The ‘Long-Term Commitment to Natural Gas Award’ was conferred on HE Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, the minister of State for Energy Affairs of Qatar and president and CEO of QatarEnergy. The ‘GECF..

Guest Commentary

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.