Operations

PRCI Leading the Way into the Energy Future

When a small group of pipeline operators at a conference realized they were each experiencing brittle cracks in their pipelines, they also realized the power of collaboration. Within two short years of pooling resources and research, a solution presented itself to end the decades-long issue.

Economic and ESG Cost of Lost and Unaccounted for Gas Errors

The industry-accepted lost and unaccounted for (LAUF) natural gas storage, processing and transportation averages 0.40% of throughput. LAUF is driven by myriad factors, including pneumatic device integrity and venting, but it is dominated by persistent measurement errors.

TC Energy's Keystone Pipeline Operating at Reduced Rate After Power Outage

The 590,000 barrel-per-day Keystone pipeline was operating at reduced capacity on June 18, operator TC Energy said, after a pump station near Huron, South Dakota, was shut down due to damage to a third-party power utility.

Russia Completes Maintenance on Nord Stream 1 Pipeline, Restarts Gas Exports

Russian gas flows via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline are seen restarting on time on Thursday after the completion of scheduled maintenance, two sources familiar with the export plans told Reuters.

Gas Pipeline Damaged in Ukraine's Kherson Region, No Sign of Disruption in Supply to EU

A gas pipeline has been damaged as a result of a strike by the Ukrainian armed forces near the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant in Ukraine's Kherson, a region currently controlled by Russian forces, TASS reported on Monday, citing the regional administration.

Venezuela's Oil Minister Denounces Attack on Gas Pipeline

Technical personnel at Venezuela's state-run oil company PDVSA and firefighters were putting out a fire on a natural gas pipeline in the country's east, Oil Minister Tareck El Aissami said on Twitter on Sunday.

Gazprom Expects Siemens to Continue Servicing Nord Stream 1 Turbines

Russian gas exporter Gazprom said on Saturday it expected Siemens to meet its obligations in full when servicing gas turbines needed for the reliable operation of the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline and energy shipments to Europe.

Identifying, Minimizing Sinkhole in Pipeline Rights-of-Way

Kentucky and Pennsylvania have several areas within their borders susceptible to karst formations, including sinkholes and surface depressions. These states also have substantial resources available for pipeline companies to review when attempting to identify locales with sinkholes as well as areas that are prone to karst formations.

Russian Court Overturns Suspension on Caspian Pipeline Operations

A court in southern Russia on Monday overturned an earlier ruling suspending Caspian Pipeline Consortium's operations and instead fined it 200,000 rubles ($3,300), easing concerns about a global oil supply crunch.

Kinder Morgan’s Tennessee Gas Pipe Explodes Sparking Wildfire in Pennsylvania

A segment of Kinder Morgan’s Tennessee Gas Pipeline running through Clermont, PA, reportedly exploded Tuesday igniting a wildfire in the surrounding area, The Bradford Era reported on June 13.

Gazprom: Nord Stream Gas Pipeline's Safety Depends on Stranded Turbine

Kremlin-controlled energy giant Gazprom said on Wednesday it could not guarantee the safe operation of a critical part of the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline because of doubt over the return of a turbine from Canada.

Analysis: Oil Majors Face Output Slump, Deep Losses If Russia Stops Kazakh Pipeline

Western energy majors will cut output and lose billions of dollars if Russia, as is feared, suspends a pipeline that is almost the only export route for oil from land-locked Kazakhstan, company sources, traders and analysts say.

Michigan Regulators Request More Information on Enbridge’s Line 5 Pipeline Tunnel Project

State of Michigan regulators on Thursday ordered Canada's Enbridge Inc. to file additional information on safety and engineering for its proposed Line 5 oil pipeline tunnel, describing Enbridge's current application as "deficient."

Natural Gas Pipeline Explodes in Fort Bend County, Texas

A pipeline rupture led to an explosion on Thursday morning in rural Fort Bend County, Texas, with emergency crews extinguishing the fire shortly after the burst, according to Fox News.

Kazakhstan Seeks New Oil Export Routes After Russia Suspends Caspian Pipeline

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Thursday told his government to diversify its oil supply routes, a day after a Russian court ordered the Caspian Pipeline Consortium to suspend activity for 30 days.

Russia Seizes Control of Sakhalin-1 Oil and Gas Project

A senior Russian lawmaker said on Thursday that Moscow would take control of the Sakhalin-1 oil and gas project in which Exxon Mobil, Japan's SODECO and India's ONGC Videsh are partners, a week after taking over the neighboring Sakhalin-2.

Italy’s Snam Buys Floating Regasification Unit for $400 Million

Italy's Snam has signed a $400-million deal with BW LNG to buy a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), the gas grid operator said on Wednesday, as Rome rushes to find alternative supplies to Russian gas.

Russian Court Orders Caspian Oil Pipeline to Suspend Operations

Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), which takes oil from Kazakhstan to the Black Sea via one of the world's largest pipelines, has been told by a Russian court to suspend activity for 30 days, although exports were still flowing.

Petroperu Requests Emergency Declaration After Pipeline Attack

State-owned Petroperu asked the government to declare a state of emergency for a major crude oil pipeline last week, after it suffered a series of cuts in an Amazonian region of the country that it described as "an unprecedented attack."

Nigeria Takes $1 Billion Hit in Q1 Revenue Due to Crude Oil Theft

Nigeria lost $1 billion in revenue during the first quarter of this year due to crude oil theft, the petroleum regulator said on Friday, warning the practice was a threat to the economy of Africa's top producer.

PHMSA Blocks Restart of Freeport LNG Plant Citing Unsafe Conditions

U.S. pipeline safety regulator PHMSA on Thursday said it found unsafe conditions at a Texas liquefied natural gas export facility and will not allow owner Freeport LNG to restart the plant until an outside analysis is complete.

Texas RRC Approves Rule to Ready Natural Gas Industry for Weather Emergencies

The Texas Railroad Commission (RRC), which oversees the state's oil and natural gas industries, approved a proposed weatherization rule to help protect Texans during emergencies that could occur any time of the year.

Emerging Trends, Approaches in Engineering Assessments Pipeline Safety

The increased application of robust engineering assessments/fitness-for-service evaluations is expected to play out in several key ways.

Texas RRC Commissioners Assess Unusually Heavy Amount of Enforcement Fines

The Railroad Commission of Texas assessed $1,008,396 in fines with pipeline operators and excavators ticketed $476,200 for violations of the Commission’s Pipeline Damage Prevention rules, the Commission said on Wednesday.

Freeport LNG Plant Suffers Explosion, Nearby Residents Evacuated, Police Say

A explosion and fire on Wednesday hit the massive Freeport LNG liquefied natural gas plant on the Texas Gulf Coast, prompting an evacuation of nearby residents in Quintana, Texas.

US Envoy Expected to Visit Beirut Next Week Over Israel Gas Dispute

A U.S. mediator will visit Beirut next week to discuss a dispute over a maritime border with Israel, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said on Tuesday, according to a parliament source and local media.

Norway LNG Plant Resumes Output, Boosting Gas Exports

Norway's Hammerfest liquefied natural gas plant has restarted production following a fire almost two years ago, boosting the country's gas exports, operator Equinor said on Thursday.

RTUs Working in the Field for Oil and Gas Pipelines

The second line of the China-Russia crude oil pipeline began commercial operation in January 2018 and doubled China’s annual imports of Russian crude oil from 15 million to 30 million tons.

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.

How to Choose a Regulator in Five Steps

Pressure regulators play a crucial role in many industrial fluid and instrumentation systems, helping to maintain or control desired pressure and flow in response to system changes.