Safety
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.
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.
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.
Blast at Shanghai Petrochemical Pipeline Injures Eight
Sinopec's Shanghai Petrochemical said on Saturday an explosion had occurred on a pipeline carrying raw materials for making ethylene, injuring eight employees.
Physical Threats to Pipeline Critical Infrastructure Growing
The importance of physical threat awareness toward critical pipeline infrastructure has never been greater. Safeguarding against physical threats are just as important, if not more important, as cyber-threats to protecting our nation’s pipeline systems, terminals and facilities.
Colonial Pipeline CEO Acknowledges ‘Controversial Decision’ to Pay Hackers
Colonial Pipeline's CEO acknowledged to the Wall Street Journal that his company paid a $4.4 million ransom to hackers as executives were unsure how badly its systems were breached or how long it would take to restore the pipeline.
Analysis: Cyberattack Exposes Lack of Required Defenses on U.S. Pipelines
The shutdown of the biggest U.S. fuel pipeline by a ransomware attack highlights a systemic vulnerability: Pipeline operators have no requirement to implement cyber defenses.
Enhancing Safety with Integrated Rupture Disk Assemblies
For decades, rupture disks have served the oil and gas industry as an effective, passive safety mechanism to protect against overpressure or potentially damaging vacuum conditions.
Colonial Pipeline Increases Estimate of Gasoline Spilled in North Carolina
New data shows the amount of gasoline released in Mecklenburg County’s Oehler Nature Preserve exceeds Colonial Pipeline’s 1.2-million-gallon estimate.
Equinor LNG Plant Broke Rules Ahead of 2020 Fire, Watchdog Says
Equinor must fix a series of rule breaches exposed by a fire at its Melkoeya LNG plant in Norway last year for the plant to reopen, the country's safety watchdog said on Thursday.
Gazprom Helping Determine Lawful Ownership of Russian Gas Pipelines
In the absence of lawful owners, gas networks and pipelines lack proper control and maintenance. More than 70% of such facilities are in the North Caucasus, Volga and Siberian Federal Districts.
LOOP, Phillips 66 Win 2020 Distinguished Pipeline Safety Awards
The American Petroleum Institute announced LOOP LLC and Phillips 66 Pipeline LLC are the winners of the 2020 Distinguished Pipeline Safety Awards, which recognize operators who have distinguished themselves as champions of industry innovation and operational excellence.
Pipeline Company Recognizes April as National Safe Digging Month
Georgia’s Colonial Pipeline is reminding homeowners and contractors that safe digging must remain a priority to protect people and prevent damage to critical utility services.
Failed Fitting Led to 1,200 Barrel Oil Leak from Trans Mountain Pipeline
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada completed its investigation into a June 2020 release of crude oil at the Trans Mountain Sumas pump station in British Columbia, determining a 1-inch pipeline fitting was the source of the leak.
CASE STUDY: Free Span Assessment of Subsea Pipelines
Free spanning of subsea pipelines is a concern during both the installation and operational phase of the pipeline life and needs to be monitored to ensure the integrity of the pipeline.
New PHMSA Rules Ease Burdens, Maintains Safety
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) re-examination of the Federal Pipeline Safety Regulations should ease regulatory burdens on the construction, maintenance and operation of gas transmission, distribution and gathering pipeline systems, according to the final rule in the Federal Register.
NTSB Looks to Improve Pipeline Leak Detection and Mitigation
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board named improving pipeline leak detection and mitigation as an item on its “Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements” for 2021-2022, the agency announced.
Improving Natural Gas Distribution Systems to Ease Pressure Risks
This article examines redundant overpressure protection (OPP) requirements at the city gates in the U.S. and how several operators are at risk of noncompliance as states begin to enforce redundant OPP requirements specifically at the city gates.
Many Benefits Occur Within Integration of the Control Room with SCADA
Implementing comprehensive control room management (CRM) with modern SCADA systems can offer utilities and pipeline operators myriad benefits, particularly when it comes to improving pipeline safety.
Spotlight on Utilities
Routine calls for utility workers led to lives being saved due to their proper training and quick thinking.
SBS Energy Sets Record in GOM Decommissioning Project
SBS Energy Services (SBS) completed a multiphase project to decommission 29,000 feet (8,839 meters) of 10-by-6-inch (254-by-152-mm) insulated pipeline in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) in partnership with Helix Energy Solutions, setting a new offshore snubbing unit/hydraulic workover world record.
Why Investors Should Care about Challenges Mitigating Gas Flaring
Flaring has been a lightning rod for criticism of the upstream oil and gas sector due to the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions it creates, as well as the perceived wastefulness by the companies who flare. What some may not realize is that the alternative, known as “venting,” is even more damaging.
Canada's Suncor Energy Reviewing Mining Safety After Three Workers Killed
The incidents follow accidents during construction of Trans Mountain Corp's oil pipeline expansion, causing it to halt work temporarily.
Pipeline Integrity: History of Direct Assessment Process
Direct assessment is a process through which a pipeline operator determines a pipeline’s integrity through integrating knowledge of the physical characteristics and operating history of a pipeline with the results of diagnostic testing.
Action Remains Best Defense Against Pipeline Cyberattack
Among other consequences, a major cyber-breach could result in additional disruptions to commodity prices, widespread energy shortages or outages, and loss of life and property.
Choosing, Using Composite Repair Systems
There are many variables when considering a composite repair, making it almost impossible for a single, ready-made composite to work well in every situation.
Pipeline Safety: New Directions, Old Concerns
B&V is advocating for a more integrated, advanced and complete system for the management of long-haul pipelines. The company has drilled down to pipeline control rooms and their management, noting operators need to look beyond the stringent regulations governing their operations.
No injuries or interruption after Ukraine pipeline explosion
The accident occurred at a section of the Urengoy-Pomary-Uzhgorod gas pipeline in the Poltava region, the Ukrainian Gas Transportation System Operator said.
Explosion Hits Gas Pipeline in Egypt’s Sinai, No Casualties
An explosion at a key natural gas pipeline in Egypt’‘s restive northern Sinai Peninsula caused a fire but no human casualties, a senior official said. He added the explosion will not affect the pipeline’‘s supply to el-Arish’s residential areas or an industrial zone in central Sinai.
Federal Officials Investigate Fiery Oil Train Derailment
U.S. federal and local authorities were investigating a fiery oil car train derailment north of Seattle, Wash., near where two people were arrested last month and accused of attempting a terrorist attack on train tracks to disrupt plans for a natural gas pipeline.
- Trump Aims to Revive 1,200-Mile Keystone XL Pipeline Despite Major Challenges
- Energy Transfer Reaches FID on $2.7 Billion, 2.2 Bcf/d Permian Pipeline
- Boardwalk Approves 110-Mile, 1.16 Bcf/d Mississippi Kosci Junction Pipeline Project
- Kinder Morgan Approves $1.4 Billion Mississippi Crossing Project to Boost Southeast Gas Supply
- Colonial Shuts Largest U.S. Gasoline Pipeline to Investigate Leak
- Tullow Oil on Track to Deliver $600 Million Free Cash Flow Over Next 2 Years
- GOP Lawmakers Slam New York for Blocking $500 Million Pipeline Project
- Enbridge Should Rethink Old, Troubled Line 5 Pipeline, IEEFA Says
- Energy Transfer Reaches FID on $2.7 Billion, 2.2 Bcf/d Permian Pipeline
- Polish Pipeline Operator Offers Firm Capacity to Transport Gas to Ukraine in 2025
