Operations
Implementing the New Pipeline Security Directive
(P&GJ) — The digital era has ushered in unprecedented opportunities and new vulnerabilities that can create ripple effects across our nation’s critical infrastructure. Nowhere is this more evident than in our essential pipeline systems.
Shell Shortlists CNOOC and Vitol for Singapore Assets Sale
Shell has shortlisted at least four companies including state-run China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC) and top global energy trader Vitol as bidders for its Singapore refinery assets, sources with knowledge of the matter said.
LaPorte, Texas, Issues Shelter in Place After Altivia Plant Leaks Toxic Gas
Altivia Chemical was working to contain a toxic gas leak from its LaPorte, Texas, plant on Monday, as the city's emergency management agency ordered some nearby residents and five neighboring facilities to shelter in place out of caution.
Drones Used to Improve Safety of Pipelines
(P&GJ) — There’s no way around it — infrastructure inspection is as risky and dangerous as it is vital. For the past few years, companies have begun experimenting with unmanned aerial systems (known as UAS, or drones) to help improve worker safety, among other benefits.
Centrica Pumps Gas from Rough Storage into U.K. Grid as Demand Rises
British Gas owner Centrica has released stored gas from its largest storage facility into the national grid for the first time this winter, it said on Tuesday, seeking to manage rising heating demand and contain prices.
ABB, Luna Innovations Collaborate on World’s Largest Fiber Optic-Based Gas Pipeline Monitoring System
Luna Innovations and automation contractor ABB collaborated with the system operator to provide leak detection, pipeline security and facility security across the 1,811 km route in a project spanning six years.
Indonesia Launches First Carbon Storage Project in West Papua
Indonesia's President Joko Widodo on Friday launched construction of a carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) project in West Papua province operated by BP Plc, the country's first carbon storage project.
Motiva Postpones Port Arthur CDU Overhaul to January; Smaller Unit Reopens This Week
Motiva Enterprises moved the start of a planned overhaul on the large crude distillation unit (CDU) and coker to January from March at its 626,000-barrel-per-day (bpd) Port Arthur, Texas, refinery, the nation’s largest, people familiar with plant operations said on Wednesday.
FERC Approves Full Operations Restart for Freeport LNG in Texas
U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) company Freeport LNG received approval to return part of its export plant in Texas to full operation, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) said on Wednesday.
Full Production Restored at Chevron's Gorgon LNG Facility After Electrical Incident
Full production has returned to a liquefied natural gas (LNG) train at Chevron's Gorgon facility in Western Australia, a company spokesperson said on Wednesday.
US Coast Guard Investigates Source of 1.1 Million Gallons Oil Leak in Gulf of Mexico from Underwater Pipeline
The U.S. Coast Guard on Monday said it was still looking for the source of a leak from an underwater pipeline off the Louisiana coast in the Gulf of Mexico that it estimated had released more than a million gallons of crude oil.
EACOP Unveils 897-Mile Heated Oil Pipeline with Advanced Environmental Safety Technology
Due to pump its first crude oil in 2025, the EACOP integrates a sophisticated fiber-optic network for continuous online connectivity, ensuring real-time monitoring via satellite along its entire length.
Japanese Firms, Petronas to Launch CO2 Storage Project by Late 2028
Japanese companies have agreed to develop a carbon capture and storage (CCS) project with Malaysian energy firm Petronas which should start holding its first carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from end-2028, Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. said on Monday.
Iraq-Turkey Pipeline Restart Talks Exclude Industry Representation, APIKUR Says
APIKUR, which represents international companies involved in upstream oil or gas contracts in Iraq's Kurdistan region, have not been contacted by Iraqi or Kurdish officials for a deal to allow the resumption of oil flows from the Iraq-Turkey pipeline.
Texas Regulator Assesses Over $1 Million in Fines for Oil, Gas Operators
(P&GJ) — The Railroad Commission of Texas assessed $1,063,647 in fines involving 342 enforcement dockets against operators and businesses at the Commissioners’ Conference on Nov. 15.
Proposed PHMSA Leak Detection Changes Run into Opposition
(P&GJ) — While the CEQ’s proposed NEPA changes would affect how all federal agencies review potential GHG emissions for various industry energy construction projects, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) wants to restrict methane emissions for already-installed pipelines, as well as new ones.
Emerging Threats of Climate Change, Vandalism
(P&GJ) — Pipeline integrity management systems (PIMS) are now in common practice, driven by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) requirements in the U.S. In June 2022, PHMSA updated an advisory bulletin on earth movement and geohazards, to monitor changing weather patterns and consider the risk posed by climate change.
Internal Corrosion’s Threat to Pipeline Integrity
(P&GJ) — Pipeline integrity is critical for ensuring the safe transportation of oil and gas products. Internal corrosion is an element of pipeline integrity that poses a significant concern for operators. According to PHMSA, “internal corrosion historically accounts for approximately 60% of all pipeline incidents caused by corrosion in transmission and gathering pipelines.”
Indonesia's Pertamina, Chevron Agree to Share Data to Develop Carbon Storage Facility
Indonesian state oil company Pertamina signed agreements with U.S. oil company Chevron to share data aimed at developing a carbon capture facility in East Kalimantan, Pertamina said in a statement on Tuesday.
Freeport LNG Plant in Texas Set to Resume Operations After Monday Shutdown
U.S. liquefied natural gas company Freeport LNG's export plant in Texas was on track to return to service on Tuesday after all of its liquefaction trains shut on Monday, according to data from financial firm LSEG.
INGAA Responds to Winter Storm Elliott Report, Emphasizes Need for Enhanced Infrastructure
(P&GJ) — The recently released Winter Storm Elliott Report sheds light on the proactive measures taken by members of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) to uphold system integrity during the severe weather event.
Clearwater Paper Suspends Idaho Operations Due to Regional Natural Gas Pipeline Incident
(P&GJ) — Clearwater Paper Corp. temporarily halted some operations at its Lewiston, Idaho, facility on Nov. 9 due to an incident affecting the regional natural gas system, causing disruptions to gas deliveries in the mill and surrounding areas.
Regulators Say Loss of Everett LNG Terminal Threatens New England Energy Reliability
A possible loss of the Everett Marine LNG terminal can jeopardize the reliability of New England's energy supply during extreme cold weather, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the North American Electric Reliability Corp. said on Monday.
Diamondback Energy Aims to Be a Buyer in U.S. Shale Consolidation
Diamondback Energy on Monday said it expects to be a buyer of rivals, rather than their target, amid consolidation in the shale industry, and raised its full-year oil production forecast.
New Fortress Delays Start of Mexico's First LNG Plant Until December
U.S. LNG developer New Fortress Energy has postponed the commercial start of Mexico's first LNG plant to December, company officials said on Wednesday, following delays in receiving the infrastructure.
Paradigm Shifts in Natural Gas Measurement, Maintenance
(P&GJ) — What drives paradigm shifts? Are paradigm shifts in industry the result of changes in behavior which lead to technology innovation, or does technology innovation precede paradigm shifts in behavior? This existential “what came first, the chicken or the egg” question may not have a universal answer, but in mature, risk averse, and regulated industries, the answer is almost universally the latter.
Recordkeeping on Colorado Pipeline Safety Deemed Lacking
(P&GJ) — Officials in Colorado consider the state’s regulations of the pipeline industry to be among the strongest in the nation: that Colorado’s regulations of pipelines promote safety within the industry, enhance the environment, and protect the lives and properties of Coloradans.
Bakken Case Study: Expanding Operations Depends on Thick-Walled HDPE Pipe
(P&GJ) – As Continental Resources expands its operation in Dunn County, North Dakota, an important component is the use of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe that was selected not only for its integrity but also because it can be installed without scaring the environment.
INGAA Releases Key Safety Initiative Work Products
The Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) and its member companies have released their “Integrity Management – Continuous Improvement (IMCI) 2.0” program work products.
Plugging the Leak: Tackling Methane Emissions
(P&GJ) — The oil and gas industry is heavily regulated by a number of governing bodies, including the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, to ensure pipelines run efficiently and safely. However, no matter how controlled operations are, toxic vapors from fugitive emissions continue to be a problem.
- Keystone Oil Pipeline Resumes Operations After Temporary Shutdown
- Biden Administration Buys Oil for Emergency Reserve Above Target Price
- Freeport LNG Plant Runs Near Zero Consumption for Fifth Day
- Enbridge to Invest $500 Million in Pipeline Assets, Including Expansion of 850-Mile Gray Oak Pipeline
- Williams Delays Louisiana Pipeline Project Amid Dispute with Competitor Energy Transfer
- Evacuation Technologies to Reduce Methane Releases During Pigging
- Editor’s Notebook: Nord Stream’s $20 Billion Question
- Enbridge Receives Approval to Begin Service on Louisiana Venice Gas Pipeline Project
- Mexico Seizes Air Liquide's Hydrogen Plant at Pemex Refinery
- Russian LNG Unfazed By U.S. Sanctions
