September 2022, Vol. 249, No. 9
Editor's Notebook
(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
(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).
(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
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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) — 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
(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.
(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 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
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
(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
Business
- Trump Aims to Revive 1,200-Mile Keystone XL Pipeline Despite Major Challenges
- Phillips 66 to Shut LA Oil Refinery, Ending Major Gasoline Output Amid Supply Concerns
- Valero Considers All Options, Including Sale, for California Refineries Amid Regulatory Pressure
- ConocoPhillips Eyes Sale of $1 Billion Permian Assets Amid Marathon Acquisition
- ONEOK Agrees to Sell Interstate Gas Pipelines to DT Midstream for $1.2 Billion
- U.S. LNG Export Growth Faces Uncertainty as Trump’s Tariff Proposal Looms, Analysts Say
- Tullow Oil on Track to Deliver $600 Million Free Cash Flow Over Next 2 Years
- Energy Transfer Reaches FID on $2.7 Billion, 2.2 Bcf/d Permian Pipeline
- GOP Lawmakers Slam New York for Blocking $500 Million Pipeline Project
- Polish Pipeline Operator Offers Firm Capacity to Transport Gas to Ukraine in 2025