Operations

Validating Meter Accuracy Simplified Using Flow Conditioning

AGA Report No. 9 requires flow calibration for all applications to reduce the meter’s overall uncertainty. Because of field installation effects, AGA 9 also discusses uncertainty requirements that an ultrasonic meter manufacturer must meet once the meter is installed.

Remote Telemetry Units Aided in China-Russia Crude Oil Pipeline Construction

This article examines how TBox-MS Remote Telemetry Units were used in the extreme conditions of the China-Russia crude oil pipeline, which set a new record by constructing more than 800 kilometers of pipeline in 180 days, in a high latitude, extremely cold environment.

Nigeria Losing 200,000 BPD to Pipeline Damage, Minister Says

Nigeria is losing an average of 200,000 barrels of oil per day - more than 10% of its production - to pipeline vandalism, the country's information minister said on Monday.

Gas Pipeline Explosion Kills Two in Collin County, Texas

An explosion on a natural gas pipeline in Collin County, Texas, near the town of Farmersville, killed two people and injured three, local media reports said.

Following Senate, U.S. House Reverses Trump Rollbacks of Methane Rules

The U.S. House of Representatives voted 229-191 to nullify the Trump administration's 2020 rollback of regulations to curb the emissions of greenhouse gas methane from oil and gas infrastructure, following a similar move by the Senate in April.

Report Shows Safety, Reliability Improvements Among Pipelines

Liquids pipeline incidents affecting people or the environment decreased 38% over the last five years, while total pipeline incidents were down 21%, according to government pipeline safety data.

Police Detain Eight Employees of China Gas Unit After Deadly Pipeline Blast

Eight employees at a China Gas Holdings unit have been detained by local police following a fatal gas pipeline explosion on Sunday, according to a statement by the Shiyan city government.

New Technology from Onboard Dynamics Can Reduce Fugitive Methane Releases

This mobile, fully integrated solution will provide operators of natural gas pipelines a tool to safely minimize their greenhouse gas emissions during routine pipeline maintenance.

Key Win for Enbridge Oil Pipeline as Minnesota Court Affirms Regulator Approval

The Minnesota Court of Appeals on Monday affirmed a state regulator's decision that there is sufficient need for Enbridge Inc to replace its Line 3 pipeline, handing the Canadian company a crucial victory in its lengthy battle with environmental opponents.

Libya Oil Pipeline Leaks Hitting Output, NOC Chief Says

The head of Libya's National Oil Corp (NOC) reiterated on Wednesday the need for funds for much needed repairs in the oil industry after corroded pipelines recently hit production.

U.S. Pipeline Operators Should Prepare for Methane Curbs

The U.S. Department of Transportation's pipeline regulator on Monday sent an advisory to oil and gas pipeline operators directing them to update their inspection and maintenance plans for curbing the release of potent greenhouse gas methane, as part of the Biden administration's broader effort to combat climate change.

Natural Gas Production in Extreme Weather

During the February freeze event, the wells themselves did not freeze or fail, the ancillary equipment downstream did. This distinction is important, because it can affect the manner in which the natural gas industry seeks to mitigate risks from future freeze events.

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.

PVC Pipes Dominate South Africa Pipelines Market by Wide Margin

South Africa’s plastic pipes market is dominated by polyvinyl pipes, according to a survey by industry lobby Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association.

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.

Options for Internal Inspection of Difficult-to-Check Pipelines

Pipelines are essentially cylindrical pressure vessels. Any medium transported must not leak out. Each built to a specific design pressure, they must be operated efficiently and effectively to ensure not just safety and environmental protection but also optimum performance.

Strategic Approach to Automated Leak, Rupture Detection

Remaining vigilant is the best approach when mitigating oil and gas pipeline leaks and ruptures, particularly with new legislation and other requirements that can lead to penalties and fines, not to mention the negative impact on a company’s image.

A Different Perspective on Pipeline Repairs

For the past few decades, the industry has been repairing pipelines in the same fashion. Typically, either welded steel sleeves are used on our pipe, Type A or Type B, or composite materials such as E-glass, carbon fiber and Kevlar are used to repair defects.

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.

Colonial Pipeline Says Temporary Network Disruption Resolved

Colonial Pipeline, the largest fuel pipeline in the United States, said it had resolved a temporary network disruption, just weeks after a ransomware attack crippled fuel delivery for several days in the southeast region.

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.

Colonial Pipeline Again Experiencing Network Issues

Colonial Pipeline, the nation's largest fuel pipeline, on Friday said it was experiencing network issues, just weeks after a ransomware attack crippled fuel delivery for several days in the United States.

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.

IECA Urges Congress to Give FERC Reliability Oversight on Natural Gas Pipelines

The Industrial Energy Consumers of America (IECA) on Wednesday sent letters to the Senate and House Committees of jurisdiction on physical and cybersecurity of natural gas pipelines.

Colonial Pipeline Hit by Network Outage Just Days After Hack Shutdown

Colonial Pipeline is having network issues preventing shippers from planning upcoming shipments of fuel, the company said on Tuesday, just after the system reopened after a week-long ransomware attack.

Registration Open for Oil & Gas Pipeline Leak Detection 2021 Virtual Congress

Senior leads of Operations, EHS and Pipeline/Asset Integrity experts will detail how they find and implement the right mix of leak detection and pipeline monitoring technologies during a virtual congress June 28 through 30.

Colonial Pipeline Recovering; Paid Almost $5 Million Ransom

After a six-day outage, the top U.S. fuel pipeline on Thursday moved some of the first millions of gallons of motor fuels after a crippling cyberattack led to fuel shortages across East Coast states.

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.

U.S. Energy Secretary: No Need to Hoard Fuel After Pipeline Outage

U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said on Tuesday there are no gasoline shortages in the wake of the Colonial Pipeline shutdown and that consumers should report any instances of price gouging of motor fuel.