Pipelines
FERC approves Southern Cross Transmission Project
Pattern Energy Group LP announced that its Southern Cross transmission project has obtained two key regulatory orders from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Pattern is developing the Southern Cross project to add a High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission tie of up to 3,000 MW between ERCOT in Texas and the transmission grid deep in the southeastern United States by 2016.
ConocoPhillips obtains key government approvals for Alaska project
ConocoPhillips has obtained important federal government support for pipeline and bridge projectgs that would allow the company to be the first to develop a commercial oil well in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve since the reserve was opened to drilling in 1998.
2012 Pipeline Construction Report
<em>Underground Construction</em> and <a href="http://pipelineandgasjournal.com/"><em>Pipeline & Gas Journal</em></a>’s worldwide pipeline survey figures indicate that 118,623 miles of pipelines are planned and under construction. Of these, 88,976 represent projects in the planning and design phase; 29,647 miles reflect pipelines in various stages of construction. Almost 32,000 miles of pipeline are currently being planned for North America.
Rain for Rent Road Crossings
Low profile pipeline Road Crossings from Rain for Rent provide an excellent way to safely move water across busy streets, driveways, and highways without disrupting traffic or damaging roadways.
Shale gas pipeline costs triple
Ziff Energy released a report last summer analyzing the pipeline infrastructure costs on 120 new gas pipeline projects in the Marcellus, Eagle Ford, Haynesville, Barnett, Woodford, Fayetteville and Horn River shale gas regions over the past decade.
New Route proposed for Keystone XL through Nebraska
President Obama recently stated that he will make the decision on whether to approve or deny a presidential permit for the 1,700-mile Keystone XL pipeline proposed by TransCanada, rather than delegating the decision to the State Department.
Kinder Morgan buying El Paso
Kinder Morgan Inc. and El Paso Corporation announced in October a definitive agreement whereby KMI will acquire all of the outstanding shares of EP in a transaction that will create the largest midstream and the fourth largest energy company in North America with an enterprise value of approximately $94 billion and 80,000 miles of pipelines.
3rd TPE Highlights Oklahoma Energy Businesses
The Third Annual Tulsa Pipeline Expo, held Aug. 29-31 in Tulsa, OK, welcomed almost 700 people and 86 exhibitors to an event designed to showcase Oklahoma’s leading businesses in energy, infrastructure and construction sectors.
INGAA Responds To NTSB Recommendations
Don Santa, president and CEO of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, says his association’s Pipeline Safety Task Force’s Integrity Management Continuous Improvement (IMCI) team is implementing action plans that address the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) recommendations on the San Bruno, CA, natural gas pipeline incident.
World-Wide Pipeline Construction Plans Remain Strong
The latest available figures indicate a global pipeline construction market of more than 89,000 miles. Of these 49,488 miles account for projects in the planning and engineering phase and 39,745 miles are in various stages of construction.
Integrity Management Expansion Stirs Controversy In Congress
Two House committees are attempting to combine slightly different pipeline safety bills while Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) is preventing a Senate vote on a bill passed by the Commerce Committee last May. All three bills are moderate, and make changes around the edges of current law, both with regard to natural gas and oil pipelines.
NTSB Recommendations On San Bruno Put Pressure On Congress, Administration; Keystone XL Decision Coming
The pipeline safety recommendations issued by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Aug. 30 puts significant pressure on both Congress and the Obama administration to respond to the problems discovered as part of the NTSB investigation of the PG&E San Bruno explosion in December 2010.
In Memoriam: Michael DeWare Cole
Michael DeWare Cole, 68, died July 17. DeWare was a pipeline veteran who began his career in the pipeline industry in the ‘60s working for several companies including Michael Curran Associates, Bechtel Oil, Gas & Chemicals Inc., Gulf Interstate Engineering.
NLRB Pushing Pro-Union Agenda; EPA Proposal Affects Pipeline Compressors
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has picked up the pro-union cudgel from Democrats in Congress. In the last session of Congress, Democrats had tried and failed to pass the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) which would have expanded union organizing rights.
Official San Bruno Report Clears Pipe Bursting, Faults Utility And Oversight
On Aug. 30, the National Transportation Safety Board issued its final report on the fatal pipeline explosion in San Bruno, CA, that occurred on Sept. 9, 2010. The report named Pacific Gas & Electric's "lax approach to pipeline safety" and the failure of overseeing bodies to check that approach as the main factors in a preventable accident.
Joint venture to build 530-mile pipeline in the works
Energy Transfer Partners and Regency Energy Partners will spend $700 million in a joint venture to build a 530-mile pipeline to carry natural gas liquids from Winkler County in West Texas to a processing plant in Jackson County, east of Victoria.
Alliance Pipeline to build natural gas lateral in North Dakota
Alliance Pipeline L.P. has announced plans to develop a pipeline and associated facilities in North Dakota to transport liquids-rich natural gas.
Pipeline Expo Kicks Off in Tulsa
To further promote the regional initiatives of Oklahoma-area businesses, the Tulsa Pipeline Expo will be hosting its third forum at the Hyatt Regency Tulsa Downtown and the QuikTrip Center at Expo Square in Tulsa, OK, from Aug. 29-31.
Safety, Shale, Midstream Construction Discussed At Pipeline Opportunities Conference
The seventh annual Pipeline Opportunities Conference, presented by Pipeline & Gas Journal and the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA), was held April 19 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Houston.
Federal Fracking Initiatives Starting To Gel; PHMSA Reforms Uncertain; DOE Allowing More LNG Exports
The fracking debate is moving forward on two separate stages in Washington. The Department of Energy's natural gas subcommittee is expected to make recommendations on fracking liquid disclosure in August.
Corrpro Forms Corrosion Protection Joint Venture In Saudia Arabia
Insituform Technologies, Inc. announced June 27 that its subsidiary Corrpro Companies, Inc. is forming a joint venture in Saudi Arabia with Saudi Trading & Research Co., Ltd. (STARC).
New Underground Construction Standards Imminent From OSHA; Pipeline Bill In Congress; Wetland Gas Repairs
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) appears ready to propose a new standard on silica exposure which would have a major impact on underground construction companies.
APCA Convention Reflects Continued Market Confidence
The recent American Pipe Line Contractors Association annual convention held recently at the scenic Grand Del Mar in San Diego, CA, drew another near-record attendance.
Aussie technology goes global with joint venture
Interflow Pty Limited, a company with some 75 years experience in the pipeline industry, has since 1991 been a leading provider in Australia and New Zealand of repair, rehabilitation and renewal services for deteriorated underground non-pressure pipelines.
Report supports Keystone XL pipeline
A new report prepared by EnSys Energy for the Department of Energy Office of Policy and International Affairs finds that the Keystone XL pipeline would help reduce U.S. imports of foreign oil outside North America.
Alaska Pipeline not in long-range projects
In a report written by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, it was revealed that federal analysts that they don’t believe it will be economical to build a major natural gas pipeline through Alaska to the Lower 48 states for at least the next 20 years.
"Great Year" Keeps APCA Growing
The American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) experienced a “great” year in 2010 with several new pipeline construction projects and expansions of existing pipelines keeping most members busy, reports APCA President Wayne Stringer.
In Wake of San Bruno, PHMSA Calls Oversight of IM Programs "Lacking"
A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) hearing on March 1-2 in Washington may push Congress to renew failed efforts from the fall of 2010 to upgrade pipeline safety laws. The hearings will air the NTSB's preliminary findings from the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) pipeline explosion in California last September where seven people were killed.
Pipeline Outlook: Studies Indicate Strong Years Ahead
While oil and gas transmission pipeline construction has slowed compared to 2008, projections from two different studies still predict a solid market for the next few years and continued growth in natural gas and consumption through 2030.
Louisiana Tech hosts leaders from China’s largest pipeline, engineering firm
The Trenchless Technology Center (TTC) at Louisiana Tech University recently hosted a delegation from China’s largest petroleum pipeline construction and engineering firm to share information about technologies being developed at the University, exchange ideas, and to lay the groundwork for possible future collaborations.
- Tunnel boring machine ‘Clack-A-Mole’ nears one-third completion in Oregon outfall project
- Texas A&M weighs underground transit plan with Elon Musk's Boring Co. to reduce campus traffic
- Lynchburg, Va., breaks ground on largest-ever Blackwater CSO tunnel project
- Wyo-Ben’s Max Gel, Max Bore HDD system boost drilling efficiency, performance
- Federal court halts permits for 32-mile Tennessee gas pipeline project
- Wisconsin proposes new PFAS drinking water standards to align with federal rules
- Elgin, Ill., joins EPA drinking water initiative to accelerate lead pipe replacement
- Dog River pipeline replacement in Oregon improves water supply with new HDPE pipe
- Leaking wastewater systems named top source of San Diego River contamination, study finds
- New Portable Welding System From Miller