Operations

Finland Says Gas Pipeline Likely Broken by Ship Dragging Anchor

Damage to a Baltic Sea gas pipeline earlier this month is believed to have been caused by a ship dragging a large anchor along the seabed, but it was too early to tell if this was an accident or a deliberate act, Finnish police said on Tuesday.

Embracing Sustainability Across Pipelines Requires Digital Transformation

(P&GJ) — The environment in which pipelines must operate is changing rapidly and dramatically, as constant shifts in the global marketplace have underscored a need for increasing flexibility.

Significance of API 1164 in Safeguarding Pipelines

(P&GJ) — Digital connectivity comes at a steep cost: security. Hardly a news cycle goes by without word of a cyberattack compromising sensitive data. Yet, the proverbial genie is already out of the bottle.

Algeria's Sonatrach Plans $1 Billion Project for Natural Carbon Storage

Algeria's state oil and gas firm Sonatrach has plans for a $1 billion project for natural carbon storage through planting 420 million trees over 10 years, Algeria's Ennahar TV reported on Monday, citing Energy Minister Mohamed Arkab as saying.

Maintaining a Focus on Physical Security in a Cyber-focused World

(P&GJ) — In today’s technology-driven world, where cyber-threats dominate headlines and organizations invest significant resources in safeguarding their OT and IT infrastructure from digital threat vectors, the importance of facility physical security can sometimes be overlooked. However, it remains an essential component of enterprise risk mitigation.

Williams' Gas Pipeline in Idaho Ruptures, Company Challenges Explosion Allegations

The rupture occurred when an excavator operator accidentally damaged a 22-inch gas pipeline near Middleton. However, Williams contested the local authorities' account of the incident, asserting no ignition, fire, or explosion was connected to the occurrence.

Seismologists Detected Blast-Like Waves Near Broken Baltic Sea Pipeline

Nordic and Baltic seismologists said that they had detected blast-like waves on Sunday when a Baltic Sea gas pipeline ruptured but that the data was not strong enough to determine whether explosives were involved.

Finland to Restrict Access to LNG Port After Gas Pipeline Damage

Finland on Friday was tightening access to key parts of the country's Inkoo port, where a vessel to import LNG was installed last year, as part of efforts in the wider region to intensify security at energy installations.

U.S. Supports Finland, Estonia as It Probes Baltic Gas Pipeline Burst

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday the United States would support Finland and Estonia as they probe damage to a gas pipeline and a telecommunications cable under the Baltic Sea.

Port of Corpus Christi Breaks Records with 52 Million Tons Moved in Q3

(P&GJ) — For the first time in its history, Port of Corpus Christi customers have moved more than 50 million tons of goods through the Corpus Christi Ship Channel in a single quarter, setting a record for the sixth consecutive quarter.

Venture Global Requests FERC Approval to Start Service at Louisiana Calcasieu LNG Plant Amid Customer Disputes

The startup of commercial service at that plant is the subject of several disputes between Venture Global and some of its customers, including units of European energy firms Shell, BP, Edison and Repsol.

Nordics, Baltics Tighten Security at Energy Installations After Baltic Sea Pipe Burst

Norway and Lithuania tightened security at onshore energy installations following Sunday's gas pipeline gas leak in the Baltic Sea, while Finland recommended energy operators to be more aware of security.

Damaged Pipeline Triggers Gas Explosion, Leveling Home in Woodstock, Illinois

(P&GJ) — A gas explosion occurred in the northern suburbs of Woodstock on Monday, resulting in the leveling of a residence and damage to at least eight other structures. The explosion was triggered by a gas main being accidentally struck during work on a sewer line.

Orlen Takes Over Polish Segment of Yamal Gas Pipeline, Reducing Gazprom Stake

Orlen is taking over the Polish section of the Yamal gas pipeline, the state-controlled refiner said on Tuesday, meaning Russia's Gazprom will no longer have a stake.

Chevron Halts Gas Exports via EMG Pipeline from Israel to Egypt

Chevron has halted natural gas exports through a major subsea pipeline between Israel and Egypt and is supplying gas via an alternative pipeline through Jordan, industry and government sources said on Tuesday.

'Outside Activity' Likely Damaged Gas Pipeline, Telecoms Cable, Finland Says

A subsea gas pipeline and a telecommunications cable connecting Finland and Estonia under the Baltic Sea have been damaged in what may have been a deliberate act, the Finnish government said on Tuesday.

Energy Transfer Pipeline Rupture Sparks Twin Explosions in Garland County

(P&GJ) — In Garland County, Arkansas, emergency teams swiftly responded to a gas pipeline rupture on Oct. 4. Energy Transfer owns the pipeline, and their crews promptly shut down one end of the line while addressing the situation at the other end.

Ozona Secures 6,000 Acres for Major CO2 Sequestration Expansion in Permian Basin

(P&GJ) — Ozona CCS LLC has reached a definitive agreement with a private landowner to lease 5,722.79 contiguous acres of pore space in Loving County, Texas, for the purpose of drilling multiple commercial carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration wells in the Permian Basin.

Keystone Pipeline Back to Normal Operations After Brief Maintenance Shutdown

TC Energy's 600,000 barrel-per-day Keystone oil pipeline returned to normal operations on Wednesday after briefly being shut down for maintenance on Tuesday, two industry sources said.

Israel's Port of Ashkelon, Oil Terminal Shut in Wake of Conflict

Israel's port of Ashkelon and its oil terminal have been shut in the wake of the conflict between Israel and Islamist group Hamas, shipping and trade sources said on Monday.

Israel Suspends Chevron's Tamar Gas Field Amid Hamas Attacks

Israel has suspended production at the Tamar gas field off its southern coast and will seek alternative fuel sources to meet its needs, the energy ministry said on Monday following three days of violence in the region.

Explainer: What Is Stopping the Iraq-Turkey Oil Pipeline Restarting?

A crude oil export pipeline from Iraq to Turkey is ready to resume operations, which have been suspended for the past six months, but flows have yet to restart.

Repairing Finland-Estonia Gas Pipeline May Take Months, Operator Says

Repairing a subsea gas pipeline connecting Finland and Estonia that was shut on Sunday due to a suspected leak could take months or more if a puncture is confirmed, Finnish gas system operator Gasgrid said.

Gas Pipeline Between Finland and Estonia Shut After Suspected Leak

A subsea gas pipeline connecting Finland and Estonia was shut early on Sunday after an unusual drop in pressure probably caused by a leak, Finnish gas system company Gasgrid and Estonian operator Elering said.

Gas Pipeline Explosion Prompts Temporary Closure of Highway in Oklahoma's Major County

(P&GJ) — Reports from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reveal that a gas pipeline explosion led to the temporary shutdown of a major highway in Major County on Wednesday morning.

Equitrans Midstream and PHMSA Collaborate to Improve MVP Pipeline Safety

(P&GJ) — Equitrans Midstream, the operator of the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP), entered into an agreement on Oct. 3 with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to strengthen the pipeline's safety and regulatory compliance.

Non-Contact, Drone-Based Technology for Movement Assessment

(P&GJ) — Based on its R&D experience, Skipper NDT decided in 2019 to address pipeline geolocation and strain assessment using UAS. This effort has provided a 2.2-kg and a 160-cm wide embedded system that can be easily mounted on any UAS.

Residual Stress in Predicted Failure Pressure Calculation—Part 2

(P&GJ) — An objective was to determine residual stress values corresponding to target probabilities, such as the 90th percentile. Every reference reviewed reported maximum stress levels, but only one-third of the references presented other residual stresses as they vary with position in the pipe.

At Least 15 Killed in Explosion at Illegal Nigerian Oil Refinery

At least 37 people, including two pregnant women, were burned to death after a blast at an illegal oil refinery in southern Nigeria, a local security official and community leader said on Tuesday.

Freeport LNG Asks FERC to Authorize Texas Export Plant Restart

U.S. LNG company Freeport LNG sought permission from federal energy regulators to take more steps to return its export plant in Texas to full commercial operation.