July 2023, Vol. 250, No. 7
Editor's Notebook
(P&GJ) — With the Biden administration’s recent approval of exports from a proposed LNG project and the rejection of a lawsuit challenging construction of related infrastructure, prospects may again be looking up again for the Final Frontier.
Government
(P&GJ) — The federal pipeline safety agency has proposed major changes to its leak detection, based not on concerns about safety but rather in order to reduce methane emissions based on their contribution to climate change.
Features
(PGJ) — Global midstream markets continue to face near-term headwinds and economic uncertainties, but Europe’s rapid transition from Russian energy and projected higher demand in Asia continue to drive midstream expansion in those regions and others that supply them.
(P&GJ) — The oil and gas industry appears to be favoring a move toward using “newer” and more “advanced” flow measurement technologies, such as ultrasonic and Coriolis devices as an alternative to turbine and positive displacement meters.
(P&GJ) — Nearly every substance is affected by moisture, which can alter physical, chemical and electrical properties. When transporting hydrocarbons such as natural gas, the presence of moisture in the pressurized stream can create serious problems.
(P&GJ) — Lost and unaccounted for (LAUF) gas is a calculated value that compares the amount of gas coming into a system (purchased) to the amount of gas leaving that system (sold or otherwise accounted for). Although LAUF is often equated to leaking pipes and equipment, leaks generally only represent a small portion of the value.
(P&GJ) — Natural gas has become an even more important energy source as the world looks to transition away from coal-fired power plants. Natural gas emits about half of the carbon emissions as coal, so it has many countries looking to adopt it as a larger part of their energy infrastructure.
(P&GJ) – Recent buying and selling of upstream oil and gas assets in Africa has opened new growth opportunities for the region’s pipeline market as new players make entry into the management and ownership structure of existing pipeline operating companies.
(P&GJ) – One of the key and often overlooked facets of the pipeline industry is trucking: transporting raw materials to mills for pipe manufacturing, moving finished pipe to pipe yards—either directly or after initial transit by rail or barge—and transporting the pipe from the yard to the right-of-way.
(P&GJ) — While many integrity management techniques attempt to detect flaws in the early stages, the potential always exists for a defect to initiate a running fracture along the length of a pipe. Cracks can be initiated by, for example, excavation damage, corrosion, or ground movements and may not provide any early warning.
Guest Perspective
(P&GJ) — Since taking office two years ago, the Biden Administration has emphasized efforts to incorporate environmental justice considerations into federal agency permitting, funding and financial support decision-making.
Projects
The Biden administration backed the MVP for the second time, Mexico Pacific planned a $14 billion natural gas pipeline and liquefaction plant, and an Alaska LNG project advanced after a lawsuit from environmentalists was rejected, Comet Ridge and Jemena entered an agreement to develop a gas pipeline, while Caliche launched an open season for an expansion project.
Tech Notes
(P&GJ) — Most industrial maintenance or repair procedures involve welding or the use of mechanical fasteners as these can be perceived as easy and quick. However, while these procedures might initially seem to correct the issue but may cause more harm than good.
(P&GJ) — The ROSEN Group, together with National Gas (formerly National Grid Gas Transmission), has started researching ways to mitigate the potential for embrittlement of pipeline steel in hydrogen service.
Global News
Latest industry developments from around the world!
What's New
Business
- Texas Waha Hub Gas Prices Plunge to Record Lows, Hit Negative Territory
- U.S. Appeals Court Strikes Down Controversial Biden Pipeline Safety Rules
- Williams Seeks Emergency Certificate to Operate $1 Billion Mid-Atlantic Gas Pipeline After Court Reversal
- Texas Oil Pipelines Near Max Capacity, Threatening Future Export Limits
- Energy Transfer Subsidiary Selects KTJV for Lake Charles LNG Export Project
- Saudi Arabia Looking to Expand Pipeline to Reduce Oil Exports via Gulf
- Report: Houston Region Poised to Become a Global Clean Hydrogen Hub
- Texas Startup Endeavors Again to Build First Major U.S. Oil Refinery Since 1977
- Puerto Bahia, Gasco to Build Liquefied Petroleum Gas Facility in Cartagena, Colombia
- U.S. Court Overturns FERC Approval for NextDecade’s $18 Billion Rio Grande LNG Project