Operations

PART 2: Policy Implications for Satellite-Based Methane Detection

Access to publicly available satellite methane data from TROPOMI, and in future platforms such as those being planned by the ESA Copernicus missions, are animating interest from for-profit companies and not-for-profit advocacy groups interested in using methane data to advance these organizations’ missions.

Integrating Flow Assurance Engineering Domains Ensures Operations in Caspian Sea

Once the term “flow assurance” was coined in the 1990s, continued evolution in the offshore marketplace has demanded that the industry invest in advancing the design, strategies and principles that form the core of the field.

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.

Managing Integrity for Subsea Pipelines Without Pigging

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration estimates that 40% of the world’s pipelines are difficult to pig or are deemed “unpiggable,” which means they cannot be inspected via inline inspection, but their integrity still needs to be maintained.

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.

Corrosion Inhibitor Development for Extreme Conditions

This article discusses corrosion inhibitor development for ultra-deep-water systems that experience most of these extreme conditions, including downhole temperatures as high as 400° F (204° C) and pressures as high as 20,000 psi (1,379 bar).

Data Analytics, Predictive Maintenance of Field Automation

The last six decades have experienced an explosion of technological development, with the most recent focus being on data analytics, and the pipeline industry has more than dipped its toe in the benefits of data analysis.

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.

Benefits of Predictive Maintenance in Oil and Gas with Edge Computing

Predictive maintenance uses data, like temperature, vibration, and throughput, collected by sensors, then analyzed for any red flags or abnormal results. This data is then used to forecast when maintenance should be completed to avoid decreased efficiency or equipment failure.

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.

New Terminal Loads Initial VLCC Tanker with Crude Oil

Buckeye Partners said crude oil export operations began at the second deepwater dock at South Texas Gateway (STG), a new facility constructed at the mouth of the Corpus Christi Ship Channel in Ingleside, Texas.

Enterprise, Navigator Begin Service on Ship Channel Ethylene Tank

Enterprise Products Partners and Navigator Holdings began service has begun on a 30,000-ton refrigerated ethylene storage tank at the ethylene export terminal, which is owned 50/50 by affiliates of the two companies.

Natixis Sees Deals from Gulf States Monetizing Oil Assets

Natixis expects oil-rich Gulf states to accelerate privatizations, including by extracting revenue from oil assets, with Saudi Arabia and possibly Oman as likely candidates for similar deals next year, the French bank’s regional head said.

China’s Sinopec Plans Record LNG Imports to Battle Cold Snap

Sinopec Corp pledged to maximize domestic gas productions and raise imports of LNG to record rates as a cold spell hitting large parts of the country this week lifts demand for the winter heating fuel.

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.

Appropriate Methods for Repairing Pipelines

Over many decades now, the ever-growing network of on- and offshore pipelines has transported an increasing volume of refined petroleum products, industrial chemicals, crude oil and natural gas to commercial and household customers. North America is a case in point.

Nebraska Pipeline Rupture Likely Caused by 3rd-Party

A natural gas pipeline in rural Nebraska has been repaired after a rupture caused an explosion that was large enough to be seen by satellite. Northern Natural Gas said “a series of scores and gouges were found across the impacted pipeline segment,"

Explosion Caused by Natural Gas Pipeline on Field

A pipeline rupture caused an explosion in a field near Lyons, Neb., on Christmas Day that was large enough to be seen by satellite. There were no reported injuries.

Explosion Hits Gas Pipeline in Egypt’s Sinai

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 told the Associated Press.

North Sea Could Shift from Oil Reservoir to CO2 Storage - Total CEO

The North Sea could be switched from a depleting oil and gas basin to a site for storing carbon dioxide under the seabed, Total CEO Patrick Pouyanne said on Tuesday.

Magellan Midstream Tank Explosion Injures 7 in Corpus Christi

Seven Magellan Midstream Partners employees were injured, four critically, when a storage tank at a Magellan plant in Corpus Christi exploded after catching fire Saturday morning, according to deputy Fire Chief Richie Quintero.

Fire Shuts Equinor Gas Processing Terminal, Methanol Plant

A fire at Norway's Tjeldbergodden industrial facility on Wednesday triggered an evacuation of staff and the shutdown of Europe's largest methanol plant and a gas processing terminal, state-controlled oil firm Equinor said.

Gassco Changes Make Norway Gas Flows Harder to Gauge - Analysts

Norwegian gas pipeline operator Gassco launched a revamped data website this week that switches away from live physical flows, drawing criticism from analysts who say it has reduced transparency in a key energy market.

Rocket Attack Causes Fire at Oil Refinery in Northern Iraq

A rocket attack in northern Iraq hit a fuel storage tank at the Siniya refinery in Salahuddin province, causing a large fire to break out and briefly halting operations, the country's Oil Ministry said.

Eni's Brass River Crude Exports Halted after Pipeline Explosions

Eni declared force majeure on exports of Nigerian Brass River crude oil following pipeline explosions in Bayelsa state, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said.

Yemen Rebels Claim attack on Saudi Oil Facility in Jiddah

Yemen's Houthi rebels said they struck a Saudi oil facility in the port city of Jiddah on Monday with a new cruise missile, just hours after the kingdom finished hosting its virtual Group of 20 leaders summit.