September 2022, Vol. 249, No. 9

Archive

Editor's Notebook

Manchin’s ‘Deal’ Revisited

(P&GJ) — On the surface, Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia’s surprise deal with the Democratic leadership of Congress, which would potentially clear the way for the 94% completed Mountain Valley Pipeline to finally be completed, appeared to be a major win for midstream.

Government

Newest EPA Methane Proposal Hits Pipelines Hard

(P&GJ) — The Senate bill on climate change, which includes a new fee on pipeline emissions of methane, puts a new emphasis on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) two rulemakings on greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).

FERC Rate Change Posting Proposal Controversial

(P&GJ) — Responding to a June 2021 petition from interstate pipeline customers, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has proposed upgraded website posting requirements when pipelines file for a Section 4 rate change.

Features

Turkmenistan Pipe Dreams: Russia, China Both Make Overtures

(P&GJ) — Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has quickly transformed the West’s relationship with Russia. It’s forged Russia’s closer alignment with China. It seems that 2022 is becoming the year when everyone is rethinking the circles of power, especially in Eurasia.

Sustainability: Energy Company ESG Efforts

(P&GJ) — Late in 2021, a global energy think tank at Columbia University held a private workshop with representatives from the national and international oil, financial, consulting and nongovernment organization (NOC) sectors, along with academia, to better understand the dynamics and impact of the global sustainability movement on the energy space.

Baltic Pipeline Starting to Flow Gas this Month

(P&GJ) — The $2 billion Baltic Pipe is scheduled to start flowing Norwegian natural gas to Poland on Sept. 27, a government official said, marking a key step in Europe‘s drive toward energy independence from Russia.

Aemetis Completes 20 Miles of California RNG Pipeline

(P&GJ) — Aemetis completed 20 miles (32 km) of renewable natural gas (RNG) pipeline and received approval for construction of an additional 19 miles (31 km) in Merced County, California, with project completion set for the fourth quarter of 2022.

Slow Economy, Fuel Theft Hampers Transnet Pipeline’s Output

(P&GJ) — South Africa’s slow economic recovery, the national lockdown triggered by the outbreak of COVID-19 and pipeline product theft adversely affected the 2021 performance of the country’s biggest operator of fuel pipeline systems, Transnet Pipelines.

Compression Stations: The Long Road to Commissioning

(P&GJ) — Commissioning involves the use of a disciplined, systematic methodology to convert the constructed compressor station into an integrated and operational unit within a gas transmission system.

Overcoming Challenges of Midstream Digital Transformation

(P&GJ) — A lack of up-to-date digital capabilities has stymied American industries for years. Midstream oil and gas is no exception and has repeatedly shown that it needs accelerated change to succeed.

Being Certain of Flow Measurement Meter Uncertainty

For many years, the oil and gas industry has widely believed that the production test separator gives the most accurate flow rate measurements. However, realistically, it’s unlikely to be used because of the sheer size of a separator, which creates mobility issues such as the need to lift it with cranes and a requirement for ruggedized equipment for shocks and vibrations.

DNV Confirms Feasibility, Maturity of EastMed Gas Pipeline

(P&GJ) — DNV, the independent assurance and risk management provider, has issued confirmation of the feasibility statement of the Eastern Mediterranean Deepwater Pipeline (EastMed), a 1,343-mile (2,000-km) onshore and offshore natural gas project.

FERC Reviewing $160 Million Ohio Valley Connector Expansion Project

(P&GJ) — The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued a notice that it will conduct an environmental review of Equitrans’ Ohio Valley Connector Expansion (OVCX) project, a regulatory hurdle that, if passed, will bring the project closer to receiving authorization.

Reducing Carbon Footprints at Oil, Gas Infrastructures

(P&GJ) — The energy and resources industry is undergoing one of the most significant shifts in generations. This transition is toward green energy – or renewable energy created from natural resources – that does not release greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during production.

Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing Valves

(P&GJ) — Oils processing occurs in multiple stages and requires specialized piping systems to handle different fluids. Additionally, oils and their products are explosive, with traces of hazardous gases. As such, valves and other components of the piping systems must provide leak and emission-free transportation of fluids.

P&GJ's Europe 500 Report of Top Pipelines

(P&GJ) — This list of pipelines serving Europe is intended to provide the industry with a listing of some of the longest transportation routes on the continent as of July 2022. This second such report will be broken down into two sections, gas and liquids (oil and products), which will be updated in each of our September issues going forward.

EIA Update

Expect 9 GOM Natural Gas, Oil Fields to Start Up Soon

(P&GJ) — The Energy Information Association (EIA) forecasts that new fields coming online in 2022 will account for 5% of natural gas production and 14% of crude oil production in the U.S. Federal Offshore Gulf of Mexico (GOM) by the end of 2023.

Big Decline in Global Oil Production Capacity Surplus Cited
Oil

(P&GJ) — Preliminary estimates from EIA’s Global Surplus Crude Oil Production Capacity shows, as of May 2022, surplus capacity in non-OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) countries decreased by 80% compared with 2021.

Guest Commentary

Natural Gas Compression Empowering Energy Evolution

Natural gas plays a vital role in our society, both as a raw material for numerous industrial processes and as a source of energy that is fundamental to social progress.

Projects

TC Energy Expects Coastal Gas Line to Cost Nearly $9 Billion

NGL Energy Partners Places 225-Mile Ambassador Pipeline in Service, Howard Energy to Expand South Texas Natural Gas Transportation System, Enterprise to Expand Shin Oak Pipeline System in Permian, Magellan’s Permian-Houston Crude Pipelines’ Volumes Drop and more.

Tech Notes

Completing an 8,400-Foot Solid Rock Bore near Midland

(P&GJ) — To perform a pipeline bore as efficiently as possible beneath a busy West Texas highway, Hard Rock Directional Drilling decided to use a drill on each side of a planned intersection near the middle of the bore.

What's New

What's New September 2022

Fecon, Ralston, Honeywell, Polygon, Trimble and more.

Business

People in the News September 2022

People in the News September 2022

Companies in the News September 2022

Companies in the News September 2022

Associations in the News September 2022

Associations in the News September 2022