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Published by Benjamin Media Inc. Volume 5 Issue 7 July 2012
On the Cover: Two Astec Industries companies may provide vastly different technologies, but American Augers and Trencor share a common mission.
22 HDD vs. Trenching? Not Quite American Augers and Trencor are dedicated to manufacturing rugged equipment for pipeline installation. By Bradley Kramer
FEATURES
28 Who Will Pay for Future Natural Gas Pipeline Capacity? A look at the financial impact of building infrastructure to meet energy demands. By Greg W. Hopper
32 Bucket Wheel Speeds Production for Texas Pipeliner Bottom Line Services increases efficiency for 60-mile installation. By Curt Grandia
36 Over the River Michels’ planning process ensures a successful river crossing project in southwestern Pennsylvania. By Jill Badzinski
DEPARTMENTS COLUMNS
8 PLCAC Newsletter 6 Editor’s Message 10 News 20 Project Roundup MARKETPLACE 40 Product Showcase 46 Calendar 45 Business Cards 46 Index of Advertisers
North American Oil & Gas Pipelines (ISSN 2166-6334) is published twelve times per year. Copyright 2012, Benjamin Media Inc., 1770 Main St., Peninsula OH 44264. USA All rights reserved. No part of this publica- tion may be reproduced or transmitted by any means without written permission from the publisher. One year subscription rates: complimentary in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Single copy rate: $10. Subscriptions and classified advertising should be addressed to the Peninsula office. POSTMASTER: send Changes of Address to North American Oil & Gas Pipelines, P.O. Box 190, Peninsula OH 44264 USA. Canadian Subscriptions: Canada Post Agreement Number 7178957. Send change address information and blocks of undeliverable copies to Canada Express; 7686 Kimble Street, Units 21 & 22, Mississauga, ON L5S 1E9 Canada North American Oil & Gas Pipelines Magazine is not affiliated or associated with North American Pipe Corporation of Houston, Texas. 4 North American Oil & Gas Pipelines | JULY 2012 napipelines.com Griffi n Offers Innovative Need-Based Dewatering Solutions
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Turn-key Contract Since 1934 Sales 8 Locations Coast to Rentals Coast Editor’s Message Publisher Bernard P. Krzys The Solace of Associate Publisher Robert D. Krzys Sensible Studies Editor James W. Rush Call it the “Tale of Two Studies.” The fears over hydraulic Associate Editor fracturing are still causing public outcry about the poten- Bradley Kramer tial pollution of precious potable water sources. The people Contributing Staff Editors crave information — some indication that progress in energy Sharon M. Bueno production won’t spell disaster for future generations. Andrew Farr In November 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) an- Keith Gribbins nounced it would conduct a study of hydraulic fracturing and its possible effects Pam Kleineke on drinking water resources. The EPA listed seven shale plays that would serve as Kelly Pickerel case studies for the project, including the Marcellus region in Bradford, Susque- Production Manager hanna and Washington counties, Pa.; the Haynesville shale in DeSoto Parish, La.; Chris Slogar the Bakken play in Killdeer, N.D.; the Barnett shale in Wise County, Texas; and the Raton Basin in Colorado. A progress report is due out later this year, with final Graphic Designers Nicole Davis draft of the study due in 2014. Sarah E. Hayes Earlier this month, however, the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Elizabeth C. Stull American Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA) released the results of an independent review of the EPA’s research methodology and called for more collaboration be- Marketing Director tween the government and the energy industry. Kelly Dadich To conduct the review, the API and ANGA engaged Battelle Memorial Insti- Regional Sales Managers tute, a non-profit science and technology research and development organiza- Ryan Sneltzer tion, which found deficiencies in the EPA’s methods. The two associations have Dan Sisko consistently raised concerns with the EPA’s approach, which the groups say are Audience Development Manager validated in Battelle’s review. The independent report, released July 10, specifi- Alexis R. White cally cites lack of collaboration and transparency as a key weakness in the EPA’s Web & Interactive Manager current plan. Mark Gorman “This is a study with potentially great significance to our nation’s energy fu- ture, and it must be pursued with the utmost scientific rigor,” said ANGA presi- Conference Event Coordinator dent and CEO Regina Hopper. “The Battelle analysis clearly shows that we aren’t Vicki Losh there yet. But we can get there, and we must get there.” While the lack of collaboration was derided in the EPA’s plan, the U.S. Depart- Editorial Advisory Board ment of Energy should be applauded for partnering with an unnamed drilling Cortez Perotte company in southwestern Pennsylvania to study whether drilling fluid can seep Pipeline Product Engineer/Industry Representative, Caterpillar Inc. up from more than 8,000 ft underground into a testing area 4,000 ft down. If the study concludes the drilling fluids don’t reach the testing area, researchers Todd Porter Vice President of Business Development, say there will be no need to test drinking water aquifers, which are closer to the New Century Software Inc. surface. The participating drilling company is giving researchers access to a commer- Eric Skonberg Principal Engineer, Trenchless Engineering Corp. cial drilling site, allowing scientists to conduct baseline tests, add tracing ele- ments to hydraulic fracturing fluids and conduct follow-up monitoring to see if Don W. Thorn President, Welded Construction LP the fluids migrate upwards or sideways from the Marcellus shale. Some reports say that it could take hundreds of years for drilling fluid to mi- Kevin Waschuk grate to the level of drinking water sources. Finally, a sensible study seeks to find Vice President, Waschuk Pipe Line Construction Ltd. out the truth. The results of this study could serve to quell fears and build further Bob Westphal acceptance among the public. Thanks to collaboration between researchers, gov- Senior Vice President, Michels Corp. ernment entities and the energy industry, progress won’t be such a dirty word. If Editorial & Advertising Offices only the EPA would seek such a coordinated effort. 1770 Main St., P.O. Box 190 Peninsula, OH 44264 USA (330) 467-7588 • Fax: (330) 468-2289 www.napipelines.com e-mail: [email protected]
Reprints Brad Kramer Wright’s Media Associate Editor Ph: 877-652-5295 [email protected] Fax: 281-419-5712
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Nick Change-the-face Ad 2012 NA Oil Gas.indd 1 6/8/12 8:46 AM Pipe Line Contractors Association of Canada Newsletter
Canadian Pipeliners Celebrate 58th Annual Convention
David Kavanaugh, president of O.J. Pipelines Canada, was inducted as the 2012-2013 PLCAC president during the evening gala at the PLCAC Convention, June 7, in Whistler, British Columbia. PLCAC Inducts New President David Kavanaugh Takes the Reins for 2012-2013
David Kavanaugh, president of O.J. Pipelines Canada, was inducted as the 2012-2013 More Than 350 Met in Whistler, During the PLCAC president during the British Columbia, for Event General Meeting, convention’s evening gala event John Carruthers, on June 7. Kavanaugh takes over president of Delegates from Canada’s oil and gas for 2011-2012 president Nick de pipeline industry gathered June 3-7 in Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines, Koning, president of Robert B. Whistler, British Columbia, to discuss the presented about Somerville Co. Ltd. state of petroleum supply and the future of the proposed In 2006, Kavanaugh was installation projects during the 58th annual $5.5 billion dollar appointed president of O.J. convention of the Pipe Line Contractors Northern Gateway Pipelines Canada and its Pipeline to construct Association of Canada (PLCAC). More than subsidiaries RMS Welding a twin pipeline 350 people attended the event, including Systems and O.J. Industrial PLCAC Regular and Associate members, system from near Edmonton, Alberta, Maintenance. He brings more than representatives from the four craft pipeline to Kitimat, British 40 years of experience in project unions, members of the various international Columbia. construction and operational pipeline associations and client owners. management with various pipeline At the annual General Meeting, 2011- The PLCAC Convention featured many construction companies and 2012 PLCAC president Nick de Koning events and activities planned for delegates projects in both domestic and delivered his President’s Message, and companions throughout the five- international locations. while John Carruthers, president of day event, including industry speakers, Kavanaugh is also a member Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines the association’s annual golf tournament of the Canadian Pipeline Advisory Inc., presented on the much-anticipated at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Council. This is the first time that Northern Gateway Pipeline project. Course, as well as various tours and he has been elected to serve as During the Business Development activities throughout the convention. president of the PLCAC. Session, Dr. Michael Economides spoke “Great turnout this year,” said Neil Along with the PLCAC’s new about the world supply of oil and what Lane, executive director of PLCAC. “I board of directors, Kavanaugh’s to expect regarding the future of oil. The was pleased to see our delegates have leadership will be integral to the Executive Development Session featured an opportunity to network and enjoy success of the association. Their motivational speaker Warren Macdonald, themselves at our convention.” joint efforts will serve to help an environmentalist, explorer, mountain Next year’s 59th annual PLCAC direct, guide and promote the climber and writer, who survived an Convention will be in Montreal, May 12-16, well-being of the PLCAC and its incident in 1997 when a boulder fell on his 2013, at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth. members. For a list of the 2012- legs while hiking on Hinchenbrook Island, For more information, contact the PLCAC 2013 board of directors, visit off the northeast coast of Australia. at [email protected]. www.pipeline.ca.
8 North American Oil & Gas Pipelines | JULY 2012 napipelines.com Pictured here are the Canadian pipeline contractors who participated in the voluntary James L. Abraham President’s Message Highlights Industry Safety Awards, which were presented during the General Meeting at the Nick de Koning, PLCAC Convention. 2011-2012 PLCAC president, spoke about the recent Safety and accomplishments and upcoming Leadership challenges for the pipeline Award Winners industry during his President’s PLCAC Recognizes Message at the Annual Merits of Industry General Meeting, June 5. Each year at the PLCAC Convention, the association presents the Safety Award Winners Convention Speakers Rally the Crowd and Future Leader Award Winner. Canada’s pipeline industry made many holds for oil and gas pipelines in Canada. The James L. Abraham Pipeline achievements and faces many challenges Also during the General Meeting, Construction Safety Awards ahead. The PLCAC Convention speakers industry speaker John Carruthers, Program recognizes member highlighted the industry’s successes and president of Enbridge Northern Gateway companies that have distinguished addressed the needs for the future. Nick Pipelines, gave a presentation about the themselves in respect to exemplary de Koning, 2011-2012 PLCAC president, proposed $5.5 billion dollar Northern safety performance and safety kicked things off with his President’s Gateway Pipeline, a project that involves records over the past year. Message during the General Meeting, the construction of a twin pipeline system Awards were given in the June 5. that would run from near Edmonton, categories of Mainline Pipeline Noting the recent accomplishments Alberta, to a new marine terminal in Construction, Distribution Pipeline and challenges facing the industry, Kitimat, British Columbia. World demand Construction, Specialty Contractor de Koning reported that the PLCAC could be met through the project, Transportation, Specialty had strengthened its relations with its Carruthers said, and it would create Contractor Over 20,000 Hours and stakeholders, leading to an increased many jobs, both directly and indirectly, Specialty Contractor Under 20,000 presence for union pipeline contractors. throughout Canada. Hours. The award winners for 2011 Additionally, de Koning highlighted Dr. Michael Economides, a professor include O.J. Pipelines Canada, the three-year renewal process for the at the University of Houston and a world Link-Line Contractors Ltd., Triple Pipeline Construction Safety Training renowned expert on the geopolitics of Random Inc., Michels Canada Co. Program, which has led to the re- energy, spoke at the Business Development and Academy Construction and certification of more than 3,000 workers. session on June 6. Focusing on the global Maintenance Ltd. The PLCAC has also driven efforts landscape of oil, Economides stressed The winner of the 2012 Jack to attract new workers to the pipeline the importance of energy as an economic Cressey Future Leader Award was industry through association initiatives to force all over the world. Ryan Hoyle of Aecon Infrastructure meet the future demands of labor. Motivational speaker Warren Group. The award was presented at With the induction of David Kavanaugh Macdonald spoke to convention the PLCAC Convention on June 7. as the new president of the association, delegates at the Executive Development For more information about the de Koning joins the board of directors as Meeting on June 7. His presentation 2011 Safety Award winners and the immediate past president. reinforced the importance of recognizing Future Leader Award winner, visit Meanwhile, other convention speakers change as an opportunity to transform www.pipeline.ca. continued the message of what the future our lives and turn negatives into positives.
napipelines.com JULY 2012 | North American Oil & Gas Pipelines 9 North America News
New Oil Sands Recovery Process Could Revolutionize Industry Electromagnetic Heating Improves Performance, Reduces Costs
A technology and energy produc- tion consortium has successfully completed initial proof-of-concept testing of a unique oil sands extrac- tion method that has the potential to improve environmental performance and reduce development costs. The consortium of Laricina Energy, Nexen Inc., Suncor Energy and Harris Corp. completed its initial phase test- ing of the Enhanced Solvent Extrac- tion Incorporating Electromagnetic Heating (ESEIEH) project at Suncor’s Steepbank mine facility north of Fort McMurray, Alberta. The $33 million program is supported by the Climate Change and Emissions Management Corp. (CCEMC), and the test was ap- proved by the Energy Resources Con- A consortium of energy-related companies have successfully completed initial testing on servation Board. Enhanced Solvent Extraction Incorporating Electromagnetic Heating (ESEIEH), a process of The test confirms the ability to extracting bitumen from oil sands that could improve environmental performance and reduce successfully generate, propagate and development costs. distribute electromagnetic heat in an oil sands formation. It also validates the analytical tools and methods from the sands, requiring both water Operating cost efficiencies through used to predict the performance of and energy. These two key factors af- reducing the amount of energy the process, thereby increasing the fect environmental performance and necessary in the extraction process; consortium’s confidence as it moves associated capital and operating costs Capital and operating cost effi- to a field pilot next year. While these in oil sands development. ciencies by removing the need for preliminary results are encouraging, ESEIEH — pronounced “easy” — re- steam generation and water treat- additional work remains before the places the need for water by applying ment facilities; commercial viability of the process Harris’ patent-pending antenna tech- can be determined. nology to initially heat the oil sands Improving the quality of the ex- “ESEIEH is a key project for the electrically with radio waves. An oil tracted oil as a result of using elec- CCEMC and Alberta, and offers the solvent is then injected to dilute and tromagnetic versus steam heating potential to reduce greenhouse gas mobilize the bitumen with minimal in the extraction process; and emissions during oil sands produc- energy requirements, so that it can Increasing the amount of oil sands tion,” said Eric Newell, chair of the be extracted and transported for fur- deposits deemed economically CCEMC. “The ESEIEH team is making ther processing. By reducing the en- viable by reducing extraction costs excellent progress and we look for- ergy required and eliminating the — permitting economic access to ward to the upcoming pilot project.” need for water, the ESEIEH process is otherwise stranded oil deposits. Approximately 1.6 million barrels expected to improve environmental The electromagnetic heating tech- per day of crude oil are currently being performance, while providing greater produced through surface mining and nology was first evaluated and tested efficiency and versatility in oil sands in Florida last year and then moved in situ recovery processes in Alberta. In recovery operations. situ processes, including steam assist- to Fort McMurray for the proof-of- The anticipated benefits of ESEIEH ed gravity drainage (SAGD) and cyclic concept field testing. The next phase technology in oil sands production steam stimulation (CSS) now contrib- — an expanded pilot field test— is include: ute roughly half of the total daily pro- scheduled to begin in 2013. Some duction from the Canadian oil sands. Reducing greenhouse gas emis- elements of the technology solution Mining and in situ processes use hot sions by eliminating fossil fuels to may become commercially available water or steam to separate bitumen generate steam; prior to the final testing.
10 North American Oil & Gas Pipelines | JULY 2012 napipelines.com
Westphal Retires From Michels After 47 Years Pipeline industry leader Robert Westphal retired on for Westphal. July 1 after a decorated career at Michels Corp. and in “I always had the sense the utility construction industry, including his time serv- that there would be con- ing on the North American Oil & Gas Pipelines Editorial tinuous opportunity for Advisory Board. growth, not only from Westphal started with Michels as a laborer in 1965 when the company’s standpoint he was directly hired by company founder Dale Michels. but for myself, and that He worked his way through the ranks as operator, foreman, has continued through- project superintendent, general superintendent, vice presi- out my career,” he said. “I dent and finally senior vice president of construction op- have had opportunities to erations. After retirement, Westphal will continue to play work with many incredibly an integral role with the Brownsville, Wis.-based utility talented people through- construction company when he transitions into a new role out the organization dur- of senior strategic advisor by continuing to help Michels ing the course of my time maintain and develop customer relationships and to con- here.” tinue to provide keenly acquired knowledge and business Horizontal directional acumen to Michels’ future and growth. drilling, microtunneling, Providing positive leadership has been a hallmark of pipeline construction and pipe rehabilitation encapsulates Westphal’s career. In 1980, future Michels president Pat Mi- the diverse fields of underground utility construction for chels came to work for Westphal on a water project he was which Westphal has earned himself a highly regarded repu- leading in South Dakota. The two developed a friendship tation. and respect for one another that continues to thrive today. Westphal was named the Trenchless Technology Person of Both remain committed to respecting the company roots the Year in 2011 and has remained actively involved in while keeping a keen eye trained on future growth. many related associations which have played an invalu- “Bob has been critically important to my family and Mi- able role in helping him stay in tune with rapidly chang- chels Corp. for more than 47 years,” said Pat Michels, now ing technology, industries and markets. Associations in Michels president. “He has seen a tremendous amount of which he is or has been an active member of include North growth at Michels and has been an integral part in helping American Society for Trenchless Technology and Pipe Line to evolve the company into the success it is today.” Contractors Association (PLCA), for which he served 13 Westphal was heavily involved in the telecommunica- years on the board of directors, including president from tions boom of the 1980s and from that arena helped found 2005 to 2006. Westphal also served on the PLCA Labor and shepherd Michels’ now globally renowned directional Committee and the Pipeline Industry Advancement Fund. drilling operation. He also was instrumental with guiding He is currently a trustee on the Labors National Pension the company through the resurgence of its mainline pipe- Fund and a member of the Canadian PLCA, Interstate Nat- line operations. ural Gas Association of America and International Pipeline Spending his career at Michels was an easy decision and Offshore Contractors Association.
IPAA, API Respond to Dunes Sagebrush Lizard Listing The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on administration that economic development an example of industry, states and the gov- June 13 made its final determination that the and wildlife conservation can go hand in ernment working together to harmonize con- dunes sagebrush lizard does not warrant en- hand. tinued oil and gas production with conserva- dangered status under the Endangered Spe- “Environmental stewardship is a funda- tion efforts. cies Act. In response, the Independent Petro- mental pillar of the operations of America’s “The oil and gas industry has worked tire- leum Association of America (IPAA) and the independent producers, who drill 95 percent lessly with federal agencies, including the American Petroleum Institute (API) released of the wells in the United States,” Russell Fish and Wildlife Service, state agencies, statements in favor of the ruling. continued. “IPAA’s member companies are conservation organizations, ranchers and “After a year and a half of consideration, integral members of the communities where other stakeholders to develop and imple- the Fish and Wildlife Service has made the they live and work and have a major stake — ment a far-reaching, voluntary collabora- right decision regarding the protection sta- and have made great progress — in protect- tive management program and cooperative tus of the dunes sagebrush lizard,” said IPAA ing wildlife and the environment. conservation agreements for protection of president and CEO Barry Russell. “The Inte- Russell added that had the dunes sage- the dunes sagebrush lizard,” Milito said. “It rior Department’s decision affirms the fact brush lizard been listed as an endangered is critical that the federal government em- that oil and natural gas development and en- species, it would have been a “death toll to brace a practical, long-term energy strategy vironmental protection are not in opposition, jobs, energy and economic growth” in the that harmonizes conservation with continued as it recognizes the successful conservation areas where the lizard is found, primarily energy development. This positive decision efforts of regulators, non-profit groups and southeastern New Mexico and the adjacent helps to ensure that oil and gas production industry working together at the state level.” region of Texas. can continue to drive the economy forward IPAA commended America’s oil and natu- API upstream director Erik Milito said that through job creation, revenue generation ral gas producers for making the case to the the Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision was and energy security.”
12 North American Oil & Gas Pipelines | JULY 2012 napipelines.com New Case Study Shows How Smartphones Can Automate Field Data Collection Gas Technology Institute (GTI) an- the possibility of errors, and poten- Field crews were able to learn to use nounces the availability of a case study tially providing an estimated annual the software and handheld devices about a pilot project that used smart- $150,000 in cost savings if the tech- with minimal training and had good phones and mobile GIS to automate field nology is fully deployed. The struc- experiences during the pilot project, data collection for exposed pipe surveys. ture of the new mobile data collec- so the transition to the new system Based on the results of the pilot project tion system allows inspection data was easy. with Avista Utilities, the estimated pay- to be directly associated with an as- Based on a positive experience with back period of the total investment will set in the field without the need for a the technology, Avista is considering be less than one year and the net pres- manual mapping process back in the future work to explore the use of mo- ent value over a three-year period will be office, providing easy access to ex- bile data collection on handheld de- more than $200,000 for the utility if the posed pipe survey data while onsite. vices for other operations. technology is fully implemented. In March 2012, Avista — located in Spokane, Wash. — commenced the pilot project to evaluate the new technology being developed by GTI and 3-GIS with funding from Operations Technology Development (OTD), a not-for-profit company that facilitates voluntarily funded, collaborative research on issues relating to gas operations and infra- structure. Four iPhones with a GIS-based data collection application were imple- mented with field crews responsible for performing exposed pipe surveys. The new technology replaced paper maps and forms with software that allowed field crews to view the GIS and collect inspection results on an iPhone. Manu- al data transfer and entry in the office was replaced by an automated process that uses cloud computing to make elec- tronic survey data available immediately without the need for manual entry. “Accurate, high-quality data that is accessible for analysis and decision mak- ing is the basis of integrity management. GTI’s Intelligent Utility Program is tak- ing a look at ways that the industry can leverage recent advances in information technology to develop tools for extend- ing electronic data capture and real- time access to geographic information to users in the field,” said Alicia Farag, GTI program manager. “This project is just one example of how electronic data forms on mobile devices can optimize the data management process, reducing costs and improving data quality.” The results of the pilot project dem- onstrate that the mobile data collec- tion system provides value in a number of ways. Field crews are able to see fa- cility data on a handheld device rather than having to call back to the office to request additional information to be looked up, adding significant efficiency to their work flow. Data is validated in the field in real-time, which reduces the occurrence of inaccurate data being re- corded. Re-entry of the data back in the office is eliminated, helping to reduce napipelines.com JULY 2012 | North American Oil & Gas Pipelines 13 hazard alert Silica Exposure a Concern for Workers in Hydraulic Fracturing Operations Occupational safety groups are warning Workers who breathe silica day after day are tional safety and health risks,” said NIOSH hydraulic fracturing operators about the dan- at greater risk of developing silicosis, a disease director John Howard, M.D. “The recommen- gers of silica exposure in a recently released in which lung tissue reacts to trapped silica par- dations for protecting workers in the hazard hazard alert. ticles, causing inflammation and scarring, and alert are practical, evidence-based and effec- The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occu- reducing the lungs’ ability to take in oxygen. tive solutions to help support the safe growth pational Safety and Health Administration Silica also can cause lung cancer and has been of American-made energy.” (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occu- linked to other diseases, such as tuberculosis, “We applaud the efforts of the NIOSH NORA pational Safety and Health (NIOSH) issued a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and Council for Oil and Gas Extraction, OSHA and hazard alert on ensuring that employers in hy- kidney and autoimmune disease. our partners from industry for helping to raise draulic fracturing operations take appropriate The action responds to the NIOSH findings. awareness of this hazard,” said Kenny Jordan, steps to protect workers from silica exposure. The alert states that employers must ensure executive director of the Association of Energy The action, which is taken after consultation that workers are properly protected from over- Service Companies. “We are proud of the de- with stakeholders, including industry, meets exposure to silica. The alert describes how velopment of an industry focus group in coop- the Obama administration’s focus on ensuring a combination of engineering controls, work eration with those agencies which will further that this important resource continues to be practices, protective equipment and product explore this issue, share best practices and developed safely and responsibly. substitution, where feasible, along with worker continue to build upon the many engineering The hazard alert follows a cooperative training, can protect workers who are exposed controls currently in place and those under study by NIOSH and industry partners that to silica. Engineering controls and work practic- development over the last several years. The identified overexposure to silica as a health es provide the best protection for workers. Ac- safety and health of our workforce is a top hazard to workers conducting hydraulic frac- cording to the alert, transporting, moving and priority, and the industry strives to follow and turing operations. refilling silica sand into and through sand mov- improve best practices for safe operations and As noted in the alert, respirable silica is a ers, and along transfer belts and into blender works closely with OSHA and NIOSH to help hazard common to many industries and in- hoppers, can release dust into the air contain- ensure a strong culture of safety. We look for- dustrial processes. ing up to 99 percent silica that workers breathe. ward to sharing improvements not only within Because large quantities of silica sand are “Hazardous exposures to silica can and our industry, but with others as well.” used during hydraulic fracturing, NIOSH be- must be prevented. It is important for employ- AFL-CIO health and safety director Margaret gan a cooperative effort in January 2010 to ers and workers to understand the hazards Seminario stated, “The AFL-CIO strongly sup- collect data regarding silica exposure at hy- associated with silica exposure in hydrau- ports this hazard alert that provides important draulic fracturing operations. NIOSH worked lic fracturing operations and how to protect information to employers and workers involved in cooperation with oil and gas industry part- workers,” said Dr. David Michaels, Assistant in hydraulic fracturing operations regarding the ners to sample the air at 11 sites in five states Secretary of Labor for occupational safety serious health threat from silica exposures. It where hydraulic fracturing operations were and health. “OSHA and NIOSH are commit- is critical that OSHA and NIOSH disseminate taking place. NIOSH identified seven pri- ted to continuing to work with the industry this information, so that immediate action can mary sources of silica dust exposure during and workers to find effective solutions to ad- be taken to protect workers from silicosis and fracturing operations and found that workers dress these hazards.” other silica-related diseases.” downwind of sand mover and blender opera- “Through partnerships, both businesses The hazard alert can be viewed at www. tions, especially during hot loading, had the and safety professionals are able to collabo- osha.gov/dts/hazardalerts/hydraulic_frac_ highest silica exposures. rate on assessing and managing occupa- hazard_alert.html.
Fecon Acquires Drilling Technology Fecon Inc. enters the seismic and fering into an additional segment of geothermal drilling markets through renewable energy. Fecon will intro- the acquisition of Dyno-Drill LLC duce two standard models under the in March. As part of the agreement Fecon label and colors this summer. Mark Bowling, inventor of the Dyno- The rubber track crawlers include an Drill, will actively work with Fecon in onboard 300-cfm, 200-psi air com- support of the drill program. pressor and a rod rack for carrying The acquisition combines an inno- straight rod, auger rod and an air ham- vative drill solution with the manu- mer. Wet drilling will also be available. facturing and distribution strengths Fecon was established in 1992 near of Fecon, a world leader in mulchers Cincinnati, Ohio, and originally pro- used for seismic exploration and duced horizontal grinders and other pipeline construction, and a pioneer wood processing equipment. Fecon of bio-harvesting technology for the now manufactures forestry track car- renewable energy market. riers, forestry mulching attachments The move positions Fecon to offer and general forestry attachments for drills to an existing base of mulching vegetation management and wood to contractors who offer seismic drilling energy biomass industries and a seis- With the acquisition of Dyno-Drill, Fecon expands services, and to expand its product of- mic and geothermal drilling line. into the seismic and geothermal drilling markets.
14 North American Oil & Gas Pipelines | JULY 2012 Crisis-hit European Refiners to Reap Rewards from the U.S. East Coast
Seasonal surges in gasoline demand sweet crude oil imports from coun- The European refining industry along the U.S. East Coast will bring tries in the Middle East and Africa, but has also been experiencing a dif- only temporary relief to the crisis-hit the high expense of this feedstock has ficult phase, as the Euro Zone debt European refining industry, as refiners affected the competitiveness of these crisis has affected credit availability in the United States and Europe strug- refiners. As a result, the East Coast and lowered the demand for refined gle to stay afloat, according to a new has seen closure of about 22 percent products. This has led to widespread report by energy experts GlobalData. of its total refining capacity since Sep- refinery closures, and caused regional The new report shows that the U.S. tember 2011. Another refinery in the pure-play refining major Petroplus East Coast is considered to be the larg- region is also expected to be idled in to seek administration, as the com- est market for gasoline in the United July this year, taking around 40 per- pany’s revenue was consumed by ris- States and depends on gasoline sup- cent of the remaining regional refin- ing crude oil costs. Many companies plies from the international market ing capacity offline. are either selling their refineries or to meet surges in demand during the The U.S. East Coast has tradition- turning them into storage units and summer season. According to the U.S. ally been importing gasoline from oil terminals, as industrial output in Energy Information Administration countries such as Canada, the UK, Vir- Europe saw a decline of about 1.46 (EIA), the East Coast region imported gin Islands, Netherlands, Spain and percent in the fourth quarter of 2011 a total of 760,000 barrels of gasoline France. The Virgin Islands represent a compared the previous quarter, lead- per day during 2010 — accounting for major source of gasoline supply to the ing to a 5.6 percent decline in the approximately one-quarter of the re- East Coast, but refinery closures have consumption of petroleum products gion’s total annual gasoline consump- also affected the petroleum industry over the same period. tion. of the islands. The development has Increasing imports from interna- The prospects of supplying gaso- positioned European refiners from tional markets seems to be the only line to the East Coast from the Gulf Netherlands, the UK, France and viable option to meet the impending Coast region are limited due to infra- Spain at an advantageous position to increase in gasoline demand along structure constraints. Refiners on the supply gasoline to meet the expected the U.S. East Coast, and Europe looks East Coast depend on costly light and surge in demand in the East Coast. to benefit greatly from this.
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napipelines.com JULY 2012 | North American Oil & Gas Pipelines 15 IEA Reports Bright Future for CRTS Inc. Achieves Natural Gas in Next 5 Years ISO 9001:
Natural gas is well on its way to a While “Medium-Term Gas Market 2008 Certification bright future, according to a new re- Report 2012” sees growth for natural CRTS Inc. is now certifiable— port from the International Energy gas in most regions, low economic at least in regards to its quality in Agency (IEA), which projects China growth, relatively high gas prices and concerned. The Aegion Corp. sub- will more than double consumption strong growth of renewable energies sidiary has achieved ISO 9001:2008 over the next five years while lower will limit demand in Europe. Success- certification, the company an- prices from the unconventional gas ful and timely developments of new nounced, for its technologies, ser- revolution will continue to benefit resources should lift gas demand in vices and products to protect pipe- the United States. the Middle East, Africa and Asia. lines from corrosion. The report, “Medium-Term Gas Mar- The report identifies other future The company elected to pursue ket Report 2012,” released at the World sources of supply, with most incre- ISO certification to satisfy require- Gas Conference, June 4-8, details how mental gas production coming from ments for the significant Wasit gas China will become the third-largest the former Soviet Union region and project in Saudi Arabia, as well as gas importer behind Europe and Asia North America. Further growth in to distinguish itself from other Oceania, driving a 2.7 percent average unconventional gas will come most- service providers in the industry. annual growth in global gas demand ly from shale gas in North America The ongoing Wasit project in Saudi through 2017 (up from the 2.4 percent plus tight gas and coal bed methane Arabia, which is the largest inter- annual growth rate predicted in last (CBM) production elsewhere. Shale nal weld joint coating project in year’s report). During the period, North gas developments in other regions CRTS history, provided opportuni- America will become a net liquid natu- are likely to be concentrated in China ties to meet nearly every ISO qual- ral gas (LNG) exporter, while Japanese and Poland. ity requirement. imports will increase, although by how Other key findings of the report All CRTS employees, along with much will hinge on the country’s nu- include: management, participated in this clear policies. A quarter of new gas demand will strategic quality achievement. Rus- “Medium-Term Gas Market Report come from China, another quar- sell Langley, management repre- 2012,” part of a series of IEA medium- ter from the Middle East and other sentative and executive vice presi- term market reports also featuring Asian countries together, and a dent, along with quality engineer coal, oil and renewable energy, pres- fifth from North America. Amber Brown, led the effort at the ents detailed forecasts for the next five Tulsa, Okla., facility. The process years of sectorial demand by region Low gas prices will result in gas usually takes about one year to plus supply and trade. An in-depth generating almost as much elec- complete. However, with support analysis addresses infrastructure in- tricity as coal in the United States from its parent company, Aegion, vestments in LNG and pipelines. by 2017. CRTS was able to achieve certifica- The release of the report came a Global gas trade will expand by 35 tion in less than six months. week after the IEA issued a special re- percent, driven by LNG and pipe- CRTS holds multiple national port, “Golden Rules for a Golden Age line gas exports from the former and international patents. One of of Gas,” which looks at the environ- Soviet Union region; most of this the most significant patents per- mental impacts of unconventional expansion occurs from 2015 on- tains to the internal robotics used gas production and how those im- ward, following a period of further for the cleaning and application pacts are being — and might be — ad- tightening of global gas markets. of coating products (fusion-bond- dressed over the next 25 years. ed epoxies, liquid epoxies, plural “The Golden Age of Gas has dawned Natural gas is the most important component liquids, etc.) on inter- in North America, but its continued commodity with no global market nal pipeline welds. expansion worldwide depends on pro- price yet. Divergence among re- In addition to providing internal ducing gas and bringing it to the mar- gional gas prices will decline but corrosion protection through the ket in a way that is friendly to inves- remain a feature of global gas mar- robotic application of coatings to tors and society as a whole,” said IEA kets. The emergence of a spot price joint welds, CRTS has protected vi- executive director Maria van der Ho- in Asia would aid regional produc- tal infrastructure such as highways, even. “As gas competes against other ers and buyers. bridges and water treatment plants energy sources in all market segments, worldwide by providing industrial notably in the power sector, pricing “Medium-Term Gas Market Report process equipment for the appli- conditions are a key element to keep 2012” is now on sale and may be or- cation of fusion bonded epoxy to it competitive everywhere. This medi- dered from the IEA Bookshop the as- concrete reinforcing steel (rebar) um-term report aims to facilitate in- sociation’s website www.iea.org. since the 1970s. vestor decisions by providing a timely, The IEA is an autonomous organi- CRTS is headquartered in Tulsa, in-depth analysis of the current trends zation that works to ensure reliable, with sales offices in the United and what we expect to take place over affordable and clean energy for its 28 Kingdom, Brazil and Saudi Arabia. the coming five years.” member countries and beyond.
16 North American Oil & Gas Pipelines | JULY 2012 napipelines.com STRAIGHTLINE SWIVELS FROM 5 TO 60 TON
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StraightLine’s innovative HDD pullback swivel design was introduced to the market in 1991. Engineered with angular contact bearings to withstand push/pull & side forces and double lip seals to prevent soil intrusion, our swivels are field-proven to perform in the toughest conditions. StraightLine swivels are designed for rigs from 5 to 60 ton capacities and are available with clevis x clevis and box x clevis connections. For More Information contact us at 620.802.0200 or visit us at www.straightlinehdd.com. New Locating Device a Game-Changer
Locating obstacles underground is an important practice in maintaining safety when installing new underground in- frastructure. Subsurface Instruments Inc. (SSI) has unveiled the revolutionary All Materials Locator (AML), an exclusive scientific instrument that will change the way people locate underground objects. The AML unit is a highly sensitive tool that uses advanced, ultra-high microwave frequencies to find nearly any subsur- face object. Unlike the deficiencies of ground penetrating ra- dar (GPR), the AML will function with accuracy in clay, wet soil, snow or standing water without the need for a separate transmitter and receiver, wires, clips or clamps. “The instrument was specifically designed to locate buried PVC pipes for the water, sewer, power, telecom, cable and gas industries,” said Jim Hokanson, SSI general manager. “The AML’s patented technology not only locates PVC but finds all other types of pipes as well.” With its ergonomic handle, easy-to-read target indicator LCDs, and adjustable sensitivity switch, the AML makes lo- SSI’s talented team of technicians and developers has cating subsurface objects more efficient than ever before. worked tirelessly to design, test and manufacture the revo- The newly released AML unit implements a cutting-edge lutionary All Materials Locator. Through dedicated research ground-penetrating radio frequency to detect objects that GPR and development, SSI has created a game-changer in the may not. By simply sweeping the target area, left and right target underground locating field. Able to locate almost any sub- indicators on the AML will activate to notify the operator that surface material (plastic, metal, wood, etc.), you can now an object has been detected. The operator then rotates the AML locate and identify almost any metallic or non-metallic un- until both the left and right target indicators light simultane- derground object with an edge. ously, signaling that the underground object is in parallel align- The AML is a highly sophisticated piece of equipment, ment with the unit. Parallel alignment with the underground therefore SSI encourages new operators to attend free factory object is also confirmed visually with a laser target marker that training sessions at the company’s Green Bay, Wis., location. is projected onto the ground. After obtaining proper alignment, This class includes one hour of classroom instruction and the operator will continue scanning the ground in alignment to three hours of field demonstration. map out the object’s length and run direction. Dozens of reps across the United States have joined SSI in “In order to use the AML to its potential, the user needs distributing the AML to water, gas, utility and cable compa- to know where to start, and what he is looking for,” Hokan- nies nationwide. Designed specifically for the needs of these son said. “It takes some training and practice to hone one’s industries, the AML’s lightweight, patented technology locates skills, but customers that know how to use it live by it.” subsurface objects faster, while maximizing job time efficiency.
Siemens Introduces Next-Gen Flow Metering Tool The next generation of flow meter- pact frame, high accuracy measure- ing is here. Siemens Industry Automa- ment of 0.1 percent, low pressure loss, tion Division introduces the newest extremely stable zero point and data iteration of Coriolis flow measurement update capabilities of 100 Hertz. technology with the Sitrans FC430 dig- Innovative user friendly support itally based flow solutions. tools provide direct access to all oper- One of the most compact flow me- ational and functional data, certificates ters on the market, the Sitrans FC430 and audit trails. The Sitrans FC430 is features a short build-in length, suit- amongst the first Coriolis flow meters able for liquid or gas applications with- to offer SIL (Safety Integrity Level) 2 in the process industry. The Sitrans and 3 approval in hardware and soft- FC430 is capable of optimizing a wide ware respectively, enabling maximum range of processes for increased pro- redundancy meeting the highest stan- ductivity in industries such as chemical dards of safety and reliability. and pharmaceutical. The unit is ideal The highly automated production for multi-parameter measurement, and of the Sitrans FC430 ensures a flex- can be used in applications like fast fill- ible supply chain for rapid responses ing, batch control, blending and dos- to customer inquiries. Very short lead ing, as well as for the measurement of times for tailor-made solutions are guar- gases or fluids. anteed by assembly robots guided by The Sitrans FC430 features a com- sophisticated 3-D vision laser systems.
18 North American Oil & Gas Pipelines | JULY 2012 napipelines.com 8th Annual Listings North American Contributed by Pipeline Project Roundup
The following oil and gas pipeline projects have been announced. pipeline and 4,900 ft of 30-in. pipeline in Montgomery County, Ky. Projects are in order of most recent approximate starting date. All Headquarters is Mount Sterling, Ky. The superintendent is Gary projects are for 2012 unless noted. Gavlock. Approximate start date: June 28.
Indianhead Pipeline Services LLC was awarded a contract by Snelson Cos. Inc. was awarded a contract by Williams Northwest Price Gregory International Inc. to provide foam services on Pipeline GP for the installation of launchers and receivers and approximately 22 miles of 16- and 24-in. pipelines in Lycoming block valve replacement on 22-in. pipeline in Baker and Umatilla County, Pa. Headquarters is Cogan Station, Pa. The superintendent counties, Ore. Headquarters is undetermined. The superintendent is Mike McGill. Approximate start date: June 27. is Donnie Adkerson. Approximate start date: July 23. Henkels & McCoy Inc. was awarded a contract by Texas Eastern Midwest Underground Inc. was awarded a contract by NiSource to to install 3,100 ft of 12-in. pipeline in Montgomery County, Pa. install 600 ft of 24-in. pipeline and 40 ft of 30-in. pipeline in Campbell Headquarters is Cheltenham, Pa. The superintendent is Bill Adams. County, Ky. Headquarters is Alexandria, Ky. The superintendent is Approximate start date: June 25. Jim Cunningham. Approximate start date: July 10. Indianhead Pipeline Services LLC was awarded a contract by C.J. Rockford Corp. was awarded a contract by Ryckman Creek LLC to Hughes Pipeline to perform seeding services on approximately install 5.3 miles of 16-in. pipeline and 1.4 miles of 8-in. pipeline in Uinta 9.5 miles of 24-in. pipeline right-of-way in Wetzel County, W.Va. County, Wyo. Headquarters is Hillsboro, Ore. The superintendent is Headquarters is New Martinsville, W.Va. The superintendent is Andy Dickey Langston. Approximate start date: July 5. “Whiskers” Plaskey. Approximate start date: June 25.
Rockford Corp. was awarded a contract by Williams N.W. Indianhead Pipeline Services LLC was awarded a contract by Pipeline for rerouting a 12-in. pipeline with launchers and receivers Henkels & McCoy Inc. to concrete coat approximately 500 ft of in Cowlitz County, Wash., and Columbia County, Ore. Headquarters 24-in. pipe in Monroe County, Pa. Headquarters is Effort, Pa. The is Kalama, Wash. The superintendent is Robert Boyd. Approximate superintendent is Mike McGill. Approximate start date: June 25. start date: July 5. Laney Directional Drilling Co. was awarded a contract by U.S. Pipeline Inc. was awarded a contract by Williams Northwest Sheehan Pipe Line Construction Co. for the installation of 1,650 ft Pipeline to install a gas cooler addition and perform piping modifications of 42-in. pipeline via directional drilling in Prince William County, Va. in Rio Blanco County, Colo. Headquarters is Rangely, Colo. The Headquarters is on the jobsite. The superintendent is John Odom. superintendent is Dan Bakken. Approximate start date: July 5. Approximate start date: June 25.
Henkels & McCoy Inc. was awarded a contract by Spectra Liberty Pipeline Services LLC was awarded a contract from Energy for four anomaly digs in Muskingum and Noble Counties, Kinder Morgan for environmental inspection services for the Ohio. Headquarters is unknown. The superintendent is Paul Yankel. Parkway Pipeline project, a 141-mile 16-in. diameter pipeline that Approximate start date: unknown (announced July 2). will originate in Norco, La., and terminate in Collins, Miss. Liberty’s director for this project is David Ayers. Approximate start date is June 25. Rockford Corp. was awarded a contract by Williams Midstream to install 11.9 miles of 24-in. pipeline in Susquehanna County, Pa. Headquarters is Montrose, Pa. The superintendent is Mickey Biglnch Fabricators and Construction Inc. was awarded a Langston. Approximate start date: July 2. contract by Peoples Gas to install barred tees, 5R fittings, launchers, aboveground valve settings and several road bores in Champaign County, Ill. Headquarters is Fisher, Ill. The superintendents are Dun Transportation & Stringing Inc. was awarded a contract by Steve Enerson and Scott Petty. Approximate start date: June 18. Evraz Inc./Enbridge to unload, haul and stockpile approximately 110 miles of 36-in. pipe in Kalamazoo County, Mich. Headquarters is the pipe yard. The superintendent is Greg Norman. Approximate Pe Ben USA Inc. was awarded a contract by Project Consulting start date: July 1. Services — Bakken Link to offload and stockpile approximately 95 miles of 12-in. pipe and approximately 8.4 miles of 8-in. pipe in McKenzie and Dun counties, N.D. Headquarters is Watford City, Dun Transportation & Stringing Inc. was awarded a contract by N.D. The superintendent is Dave McAlpine. Approximate start TransCanada to load, haul and stockpile approximately 120 miles of date: June 18. 36-in. pipe in Cass, Lamar and Titus counties, Texas. Headquarters is the pipe yard. The superintendent is Mike Bruce. Approximate start date: July 1. Pedero Pipe Support Systems USA LP was awarded a contract by Welded Construction LP to install foam breakers and pillows on 27 miles of 24-in. pipeline in Fayette, Jessamine and Clark counties, Indianhead Pipeline Services LLC was awarded a contract by Ky. Headquarters is Winchester, Ky. The superintendent is Raul Precision Pipeline LLC to concrete coat approximately 3,000 ft of Rivera. Approximate start date: June 18. 30-in. pipe in Bradford County, Pa. Headquarters is Troy, Pa. The superintendent is Mike McGill. Approximate start date: June 28. Sheehan Pipe Line Construction Co. was awarded a contract by Spectra Energy to install 4,400 ft of 22-in. pipeline including one Welded Construction LP was awarded a contract by Spectra 22-in. road bore and for the removal and abandonment of 4,300 ft of Energy to take up and relay approximately 2,500 ft of 36-in. 22-in. pipeline in Roane and Morgan counties, Tenn. Headquarters
20 North American Oil & Gas Pipelines | JULY 2012 napipelines.com is Harriman, Tenn. The superintendent is Larry Acree. Approximate Right-of-Way Clearing and Maintenance Inc. was awarded a start date: June 18. contract by Precision Pipeline LLC for clearing on approximately 3.100 ft of 16-in. pipeline right-of-way in Ohio County, W.Va. Snelson Cos. Inc. was awarded a contract by Pacific Gas & Headquarters is unknown. The superintendent is Neil E. Kinneer. Electric for the following: 1) install 5,400 ft of 24-in. pipeline, 2) install Approximate start date: June 11. 6,000 ft of 24-in. pipeline; and 3) install 3,500 ft of 24-in. pipeline in Santa Clara County, Calif. Headquarters for all three projects is Rockford Corp. was awarded a contract by PG&E to install 2,100 unknown. The superintendent for projects 1) and 3) is Billie Davis, ft of 24-in. pipeline in San Mateo County, Calif. Headquarters is and for 2) is David Wix. Approximate start dates: unknown for 1) Palo Alto, Calif. The superintendent is Richard “Shorty” Rhodes. and 3) and June 18 for 2). Approximate start date: Jun 11.
U.S Pipeline Inc. was awarded a contract by Williams Northwest Sheehan Pipe Line Construction Co. was awarded a contract by Pipeline GP to install approximately 2.4 miles of 26-in. pipeline and Transco to install 1.46 miles of 42-in. pipeline with launcher facilities 2.4 miles of 30-in. pipeline in Lincoln County, Wyo. Headquarters and to the take up and replace 1.32 miles of 32-in. pipeline with 42-in. is Kemmerer, Wyo. The superintendent is Wayne Fontenot. pipeline in Prince William and Fairfax counties, Va. Headquarters is Approximate start date: June 18. Manassas, Va. The superintendent is Cotton Jordan. Approximate start date: June 11. Laney Inc. was awarded a contract by Troy Construction for road boring on 118 miles of 20-in. pipeline in Richmond, Scotland, Pe Ben USA Inc. was awarded a contract by Ilva Pipe to offload, Robeson, Bladen, Columbus and Brunswick counties, N.C. transport and stockpile approximately 25.5 miles of 36-in. pipeline Headquarters is Maxton, N.C. The superintendent is Grady Keller. in Lamar County, Texas. Headquarters is Paris, Texas. The Approximate start date: June 15. superintendent is Jimmy Gregory. Approximate start date: June 8.
Pedero Pipe Support Systems USA LP was awarded a contract by Price Gregory International Inc. to install foam breakers and pillows on 2.5 miles of 16-in. pipeline in Monroe County, Ohio, and 3.5 miles of 16-in. pipeline in Wetzel County, W.Va. Headquarters Want to see your project here? is Moundsville, W.Va. The superintendent is Todd Burleson. Approximate start date: June 15. Send submissions to Associate Editor Brad Kramer at [email protected] Indianhead Pipeline Services LLC was awarded a contract with the subject heading “Project Roundup.” by Precision Pipeline LLC to perform seeding services on approximately 12 miles of 24-in. pipeline right-of-way in Marshall County, W.Va. Headquarters is Moundsville, W.Va. The superintendent is Andrew “Whiskers” Plaskey. Approximate start date: June 14.
Laney Directional Drilling Co. was awarded a contract by Willbros to install 9,103 ft of 20-in. pipeline via directional drilling in Harris County, Texas. Headquarters is on the jobsite. The superintendent is Carlton Loftin. Approximate start date: June 13.
Foltz Welding Ltd. was awarded a contract by Marathon Pipeline for miscellaneous anomaly digs on 24-in. pipeline in unknown counties in Kentucky. Headquarters is unknown. The superintendent is Rich Torrence. Approximate start date: June 12.
Minnesota Limited LLC was awarded a contract by NiSource Gas Transmission & Storage to hydrotest 900 ft of 20-in. pipeline and take up and relay 5,400 ft of 20-in. pipeline in Adams and York counties, Pa. Headquarters is unknown. The superintendent is Larry Steenbergen. Approximate start date: June 12.
Northern Clearing Inc. was awarded a contract by Sheehan Pipe Line Construction Co. for clearing on approximately 12.25 miles of 16-in. pipeline, 2.5 miles of 10-in. pipeline and 4,000 ft of pipeline rights-of-way in Marshall and Wetzel counties, W.Va., and Greene County Pa. Headquarters is unknown. The superintendent is Dennis Bergman. Approximate start date: June 12.
Laney Directional Drilling Co. was awarded a contract by WHC to install 13,253 ft of 12-in. pipeline via directional drilling in St. James, Ascension, St. John the Baptist and St. Charles parishes, La. Headquarters is on the jobsite. The superintendent is Shelton “Bubba” Carlisle. Approximate start date: June 11.
Phillips & Jordan Inc. was awarded a contract by Rockford Corp. for clearing and grubbing on 13 miles of 24-in. pipeline right-of-way in Susquehanna County, Pa. Headquarters is Montrose, Pa. The superintendent is James Lane. Approximate start date: June 11.
napipelines.com JULY 2012 | North American Oil & Gas Pipelines 21 HDD Trenching? American Augers & Trencor Not By Bradley KramervsShare a Common Mission Quite
22 North American Oil & Gas Pipelines | JULY 2012 napipelines.com here couldn’t be two more brands, the company manufactures supplying the oil and gas sector since contrasting methods of equipment for asphalt road building, Day 1, says company president James T installing pipe underground. aggregate processing, pipeline and Pfeiffer, a veteran of seven and a half One is like threading a needle. The utility trenching, oil, gas and water years at the manufacturer and a pioneer other resembles the work of a cleaver. well drilling and wood processing of the HDD industry since 1984. One is typically used for hundreds of industries, with more than 200 American Augers became part of Astec feet. The other for hundreds of miles. products, from rock crushing and Industries in 1999. Yet, both processes have one goal in screening plants to hot mix asphalt Originally established in Grand common: to connect a vital resource facilities, concrete plants, horizontal Prairie, Texas, Trencor can trace its to the rest of the world via pipeline. directional drills, water, gas and oil origins back to the 1940s. Astec Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) drilling rigs, geothermal drills, milling Industries bought the company in and trenching sometimes seem at odds machines, asphalt pavers, material 1988, and the Trencor brand machines with each other, but oftentimes the transfer vehicles, trenchers and wood are now manufactured by Astec two methods are used in conjunction processing equipment. American Underground, a part of Astec Industries’ with each other to install pipelines Augers and Trencor are part of Astec’s Underground Division. The trenching the most efficient way possible. It’s no Underground Group, which also machines have been built in Loudon, wonder, then, that two of the biggest includes GEFCO Inc., a manufacturer Tenn., since 2003, after moving from manufacturers in those two sectors of portable drilling rigs for such Texas. Like American Augers, Trencor share a common parent company. industries as water wells and shallow also has been supplying oil and gas American Augers, established in 1970, oil and gas exploration. pipeliners from its inception. and Trencor, established in 1981, are Originally founded in Wooster, Ohio, Each company has its own both brands under Astec Industries, American Augers specializes in large- management team with the industry established in 1972. scale directional drilling rigs, which experience and technical expertise to Astec Industries Inc. was founded are manufactured at the company’s enable that company to grow and prosper in 1972 and is based in Chattanooga, 241,000-sq ft facility in West Salem, in its target market, according to Charles Tenn. Between its more than 15 Ohio. American Augers has been Cunningham, vice president of sales and
napipelines.com JULY 2012 | North American Oil & Gas Pipelines 23 marketing for Astec Underground. Each James Pfeiffer (left), Dan of the Astec companies has considerable Sharpe (center) and autonomy and flexibility to organize and Charles Cunningham equip itself in a manner that maximizes represent two of the its opportunities in its target market. most recognized brands in pipeline construction Between American Augers and equipment. American Trencor, a pipeline installer has the Augers and Trencor con- bases covered, whether the job calls tinue to churn out rugged for an environmentally sensitive machinery used to install pipe underground. installation under a river or a heavy- duty cross-country mainline. Both brands are known for their rugged a maxi rig, you call American Augers.” underground, you don’t have to open machines, and both build those Currently, American Augers is seeing a cut. It saves the environment, but it’s also machines with the oil and gas pipeline trend in popularity with its 100,000- to safer and you don’t have the restoration installers in mind. 440,000-lb rigs, according to Dan Sharpe, costs as you do with open cut.” vice president of sales and marketing. Despite the benefits of HDD, Sharpe Big Blue Machines “That’s sort of the sweet spot,” says says there are times when open cut is American Augers drills are easy to Sharpe, who was working oil rigs in necessary. spot, with those solid blue frames. Oklahoma when he was 17 years old. “When you’re installing a long The company specializes in rigs with “With natural gas and shale plays cross-country line or in rocky terrain, a 100,000 to 1.1 million lbs of thrust and hooking up feeder lines, those are the big rock trencher is your only option,” pullback power, and it has recently most popular sized rigs.” he says. “It’s the only economical way ventured into the realm of vertical Pipeline contractors face several to make a large trench cross country. drilling for the shale market. American challenges throughout an installation Sometimes HDD and trenchers work in Augers also manufactures a full line project. HDD is one tool that allows conjunction. When you’re in the open of auger boring machines, mud them to circumvent obstacles. The country, you can trench, but when you pumps and cleaning systems, product method offers several benefits, Sharpe come across more sensitive areas, you tooling and accessories for the pipeline says, pointing out the impact on the can use HDD.” installation sector. environment as No. 1. American Augers’ foray into vertical “Our total focus is the 100,000-lb “With HDD, you can drill down drilling with its VR-500 model has been and above rigs,” Pfeiffer says. “That’s underneath the root level, say, in a forest,” slow to catch on, Pfeiffer says. Despite a where we specialize and that’s what the he explains. “Or if you come across a river strong market with the shale boom and oil and gas industry needs. They don’t or stream, you can drill well underneath a new take on the technology, the VR need as many smaller rigs. The thing we the bedrock of the river or stream, so series hasn’t penetrated the industry. hang our hat on is we specialize in the there’s absolutely no environmental “It’s been a slow market to get into,” larger sizes. If you need a mid-size rig or impact. When you install a pipeline he says. “We’re a relatively late entry, and we’re bringing new technology to the industry. I’m not going to say it’s been gangbusters.” Sweet spot: American Augers of- ficials have noticed a trend in the use The new technology American of its 100,000- to 440,000-lb drill rigs. Augers is adapting to the vertical This DD-220 T offers 220,000 lbs of drilling market is the same technology thrust and pullback force. that makes its HDD rigs unique: rack- and-pinion carriage drive. “What we did is we took all of our expertise from HDD and applied it to an oil and gas rig,” Sharpe says. “The big thing with our HDD rigs is we don’t use cables. We use rack-and-pinion. We don’t use manpower to break up pipe. It’s more automated. We’re bringing that technology to the oil and gas industry.” American Augers was the first company to replace cables and chain drive with rack-and-pinion, pioneering
24 North American Oil & Gas Pipelines | JULY 2012 napipelines.com In the trenches: Trencor offers machines to suit any soil condition. Wheel trenchers are a popular choice in softer soils, while chain trenchers, like this T1660, are more suited for when conditions are rocky. the technology that has become prettiest, but it’s known for being and Jetco had many similarities in standard in HDD machines. heavy duty and rugged,” Sharpe says. the products they manufactured, “It’s a challenge to change the “Our machines are designed to last. It’s Cunningham says. Jetco specialized in industry,” Sharpe explains of the not unusual for one of our machines the manufacturing of wheel trenchers, slow market entry for the VR drills. to have 20,000 to 30,000 hours on it. while Trencor designed and built the “There’s a comfort zone with the older A lot of contractors will buy a new chain type trenchers. technology, but when they see it in American Augers HDD rig, and the “It was only natural that the two action and use it, they’ll find it’s safer truss and rack lasts and lasts. They may companies combine expertise and and more efficient. With rack-and- buy new diesel engines or other parts, technical knowledge,” Cunningham says. pinion, you can push the drill head but the structure of machine is there In 1984, Trencor purchased Dallas Jetco immediately. But in this industry, for many, many years.” and changed the name to Trencor Jetco we’re not as well known, in so far as Inc., with headquarters in Grand Prairie. drilling the well itself. As far as getting In the Trenches Astec Industries purchased the company our name out there, that has been our Trencor’s roots date back to 1945 with in 1988. Shortly thereafter, in 1994, challenge. It’s not going as fast as we the formation of the Jiffy Excavator Trencor Jetco moved its headquarters to wanted, but it’s not bad either. We Tooth Co. (Jetco) in Alhambra, Calif. Grapevine, Texas, and officially became keep gaining ground.” After 15 years, the company moved part Trencor Inc. that same year. The characteristic that Pfeiffer and of its operations to Dallas and became Astec Underground was established in Sharpe say differentiates American Augers known as Dallas Jetco. Trencher Corp. 2002, when Astec Industries purchased from its competitors is ruggedness. of America (Trencor) was established in the Case line of utility trenchers “Our equipment may not be the 1981 in Grand Prairie, Texas. Trencor and drills. The utility products were
napipelines.com JULY 2012 | North American Oil & Gas Pipelines 25 combined with the American Augers says the most common diameters for type machine, the challenge the auger boring machines and maxi drills transmission pipelines are 42 to 48 in. contractors face, Cunningham says, and the Trencor line of mechanical drive “All our trencher models have a place is “pretty much the same as with rock trenchers to create a broad lineup [in the market],” Cunningham says. any other methods — achieving the of underground construction solutions. “Wheel trenchers are still a popular highest production possible with While Trencor is still part of Astec choice in softer soil conditions. Our the least amount of resources so that Underground, American Augers was chain trenchers are the choice when profitability is maintained.” split off as a separate company again in the digging conditions are rocky.” That means choosing a trencher 2006. Since 2003, Astec Underground Pipeline projects offer myriad soil that best suits the project scope. has been manufacturing the Trencor types, but contractors need a solution Lately, Cunningham has seen a trend machines at its plant in Loudon, Tenn. to maintain efficient production toward larger diameter pipe to install The utility trenchers and drills were during installation. large-scale transmission lines. “If the sold to Toro in January this year. The “In the right digging conditions, trend toward larger diameter pipe company has added the Astec DP 2000 production can be greater than continues,” he says, “it may cause us to Double Pumper for use in hydraulic with excavators and/or blasting,” look at developing machines that will fracturing. Astec Underground also Cunningham says. “And, if blasting be able to trench wider.” manufactures products for Heatec and is restricted or not an option, chain While pipeline contractors face other Astec companies. trenchers may be the only option.” the challenge of efficiently installing Astec Underground’s Trencor lineup Trencor has a long history of supplying pipe into the ground, Trencor (and by offers two styles of trenching machines proven, successful products to its extension, Astec Underground) must for the oil and gas pipeline market. The pipeline customers, and Cunningham meet the challenge of supplying their chain trenchers offer a range in digging says the company’s “mechanical drive customers’ needs. depths from 8 to 35 ft and widths from system offers reliability and durability” “It’s all about timing and anticipating 12 to 96 in. Wheel trenchers offer that other machines lack. the needs of customers and having digging depths up to 9 ft and widths When installing a pipeline by equipment available,” Cunningham from 32 to 66 in. However, Cunningham trenching, whether chain or wheel says. “Some projects are proposed and
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26 North American Oil & Gas Pipelines | JULY 2012 napipelines.com on the books for years before they take “It’s been very positive,” he says. “In political divide you fall on, Sharpe place. Some never happen after all the Pennsylvania, we have many 100,000- says. The domestic jobs that are planning. It’s hard to anticipate.” to 200,000-lb rigs working. In the last created from the increased production 60 days, we’ve seen a drop in natural of natural gas will benefit everyone. Market Drivers gas prices and activity has slowed “The jobs that are created when we’re Cunningham and Pfeiffer both hinted some, but I think that will come back. drilling oil and gas wells are here in United at new machines coming from Trencor We’re also excited by what’s going to States. When we’re laying pipelines to and American Augers in the next few be happening in eastern Ohio in the connect those wells, those jobs are in the months, but neither would say what next two to three years.” United States — good paying jobs. When customers should be looking for. The Sharpe sees the increased focus on we’re putting down feeder lines and all bottom line is that whatever is in store, natural gas production as a game- the facility to produce that natural gas, the end results will be heavy-duty, rugged changer — not only for the industry, again those jobs are here,” he continues. machines to serve the pipeline market. but for the United States and North “It creates a ripple effect in the economy, Lately, oil and gas pipeliners America as a whole. and it’s all good. At the same time, we’re have been busy building up the “We’re going to see natural gas producing our own energy sources rather infrastructure for the multiple shale change society,” he says, explaining than sending money to other parts of plays throughout North America while that coal-fired electricity plants are the world. That is dead money. Instead awaiting word on the future of the becoming less economically viable. we keep the money here, create jobs and pipelines stemming from the Canadian “We’re going to see them switch over continue to build the economy. That’s oil sands, such as the Keystone XL and to natural gas, and you’ll see more something that we, all the contractors the Northern Gateway pipelines. pipelines built to feed into those and all equipment manufacturers, need While Pfeiffer says the remainder of electricity plants. Natural gas is going to be talking about.” 2012 looks like it will be a soft market to create a lot of work for contractors for the manufacturer, the continued and our economy. It’s going to put Bradley Kramer is associate editor of North development of the shale plays has people back to work.” American Oil & Gas Pipelines. Contact him shown promise. It doesn’t matter which side of the at [email protected].
napipelines.com JULY 2012 | North American Oil & Gas Pipelines 27 Who Will Pay for Future Natural Gas Pipeline Capacity?
A Look at the Financial Impact of Building Infrastructure to Meet Demand By Greg W. Hopper
t is widely accepted that great opportunities. One segment By Black & Veatch estimates, there are bright days ahead of the industry in particular that growing power generation demand for the natural gas industry. should do well is natural gas alone could spur as much as 20 Bcf/ With the outlook for growing pipelines. Over the coming years, day of new gas requirements over markets, abundant supplies new gathering, intrastate and the next 25 years (Figure 1). Much Iand competitive prices, it appears interstate capacity will be needed of that daily load increase will that both consumers and service to deliver developing supplies to require new pipeline capacity to providers are positioned to realize expanding markets (Table 1). support reliable gas supply delivery. During the same time, Black & Ve- Table 1 atch projects North American shale U.S. Midstream Investment Impact Summary for the 2012-2035 Period gas production will grow by nearly (Cumulative Impacts in Billions of 2011 Dollars, Employment is Average Annual Jobs Supported) 40 Bcf/day (Figure 2). Several of the newly developed shale gas plays are MIDSTREAM MIDSTREAM O&M COMBINED found in basins that have minimal INVESTMENTS EXPENDITURES IMPACT gathering infrastructure and are re- U.S. Total O&M $200.2 $28.9 Expenditures $229.1 mote from large diameter pipelines. Investment Expenditures Significant new pipeline infrastruc- Results Results Results ture will be needed for these sup- Avg. Annual Avg. Annual Avg. Annual plies to reach growing markets. 104,579 20,760 125,339 Employment Employment Employment That said, the opportunities and Income $141.3 Income $29.7 Income $171.0 general business model for getting new-build pipeline capacity into Value Added $217.6 Value Added $43.1 Value Added $260.7 the market are changing, and Output $424.5 Output $87.0 Output $511.5 these changes are significant State and State and State and for the parties involved. Some $16.8 $3.3 $20.1 Local Taxes Local Taxes Local Taxes adjustments to the traditional Federal Taxes $30.9 Federal Taxes $6.0 Federal Taxes $36.9 business model for building new
28 North American Oil & Gas Pipelines | JULY 2012 napipelines.com United States Natural Gas Demand Shale Gas Production: North America LNG Export - Atlantic Electric Generation Industrial Commercial Residential Marcellus Shale Haynesville Shale Barnett Shale Montney Shale 90 Eagle Ford Shale Horn River Shale Fayetteville Shale Woodford Shale Bakken Shale Utica Shale New Albany Shale Antrim Shale 70 80
70 60 1 F i g ure 2 F i g ure 60 50
Who Will Pay for 50 40
Bcf/D 40 Bcf/D 30 30 20 20 10 Future 10 0 0 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024 2026 2028 2030 2032 2034 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024 2026 2028 2030 2032 2034
pipeline capacity may be necessary Natural Gas Pipeline going forward. At issue is the question of who will essentially “underwrite” the construction of new pipeline investments by signing long-term “firm Capacity? transportation” contracts that pay for the new capacity. (Firm transportation capacity contracts typically require a monthly fixed payment for capacity, regardless of whether the contract holder flows gas through it or not.) Pipeline companies as a rule do not speculate when making new capacity investments. Returns on investment in the business do not reward excessive risk taking, and the construction of new pipeline capacity between two locations has a tendency of squashing the market price incentives for building new pipeline capacity. For that and other regulatory reasons, pipelines look to have most of an expansion’s Fecon Ad capacity pre-sold with shippers before they build. The most profound change in pipeline development is the shift in who is supporting the development process. Historically, new pipeline capacity expansions were contracted (or “subscribed”) by end users who required reliable supplies. Up through the late 1980s, most pipeline expansion contracts were executed by gas local distribution companies (LDCs) who required firm heating supplies for their residential and commercial customers. Prior to FERC Order 436/636 which was largely implemented in the 1990s, LDCs purchased firm “bundled” sales services from pipelines. Today, LDCs and all pipeline customers, purchase firm transportation services which
napipelines.com JULY 2012 | North American Oil & Gas Pipelines 29 they use to ship gas purchased from City. The project will not only grow believes that timing is towards the third party sellers. TETCO’s profits and share of the New end of this decade. Beginning in the late 1980s, York City pipeline capacity market, Assuming the new development on the heels of the Public Utility but it will enable Statoil to capture of gas-fired plants does take place Regulatory Policy Act (PURPA) that a significant share of the actual gas as anticipated, the question for gave rise to the rapid development of consumed. Another good example many regions of the country is, non-utility generators in many parts is Cabot Corp.’s commitment to “Who will pay for the new pipeline of the United States, an increasing capacity on the new Constitution capacity?” In certain markets number of pipeline expansions Pipeline. That pipeline, to be investor owned utilities have were subscribed by power constructed and operated by The shown a willingness to underwrite generation shippers. Williams Companies, will enable new pipeline expansions to serve More recently, a larger Cabot to ship Marcellus production their plants by subscribing to percentage of the long-term long-term contracts. The contracting for new pipeline best examples are found capacity projects has in the Southeast, Florida shifted “upstream” to gas Assuming the new development of and California where large producers and merchants gas-fired plants does take place investor owned utilities who will use that capacity — and not non-utility to integrate “downstream” as anticipated, the question for merchant generators — still and sell directly into end- many regions of the country is, account for the vast share use markets. For U.S. of power generation. producers this represents “Who will pay for the In other power regions a marked change from the new pipeline capacity?” where non-utility more common business merchants are the primary strategy of holding only In certain markets investor builder and operator of enough capacity to sell into owned utilities have shown a new generating capacity, liquid pipeline hubs near it much less certain who the production field. willingness to underwrite new will take the lead to make (It should be noted pipeline expansions to serve sure adequate pipeline that western Canadian capacity exists to ensure producers and marketers their plants by subscribing to gas supply reliability to the have a long history of long-term contracts. power market. (Examples contracting for firm pipeline of merchant generation capacity on TransCanada regions include the Mid- Pipelines and other systems Atlantic, New England to reach markets. This ramped to markets in New York and New and Texas.) up significantly in the 1980s England. There are a number of reasons for as growing Alberta production Of late, end users such as LDCs the uncertainty about new pipeline outpaced the domestic Canadian and power generators (utility and capacity, but the most prominent market’s ability to consume that non-utility alike) have been less may be economic. Non-merchant gas. With gas production in the active in the new pipeline capacity generators are not typically assured Western Canadian Sedimentary market because the economic of being compensated by the mar- Basin falling steadily, it should be downturn has sharply curbed the ket for holding firm transportation noted that there is a large surplus of growth in both a gas and electricity pipeline capacity. That is risky be- pipeline capacity exiting Alberta.) consumption. It remains to be seen cause those pipeline contracts re- One good example of a producer how soon that growth will return quire the generator to pay for the integrating downstream with and spur new pipeline construction, capacity, even if the plant is not pipeline capacity from a production but the general consensus is that it called upon to produce and sell area to an end use market is Statoil will be the electric sector that leads power by the local grid. In the early USA’s subscription to firm capacity the way and that the timing of merchant generator days of the late on Spectra Corp.’s Texas Eastern growth will be tied to new U.S. EPA 1980s and early 1990s, non-utility Transmission (TETCO) pipeline rules on emissions that force coal- generators negotiated long-term expansion from the Pennsylvania fired generation to close in favor power purchase agreements (PPAs) Marcellus shale region to New York of new gas plants. Black & Veatch with utilities and other custom-
30 North American Oil & Gas Pipelines | JULY 2012 napipelines.com ers that embedded the cost of firm numerous consultants seeking complex, but one key takeaway transportation pipeline capacity in analysis and recommendations of these studies is more general the contract. Those types of PPAs on the reliability of natural gas agreement on what it will take to are rarely done these days, and in service to supply the northeastern get adequate pipeline capacity built. the process of eliminating them the North American electric generation The gas and power industries both risks of holding firm pipeline capac- market. NYISO is an independent recognize that the cost of adequate ity have been shifted to generators organization that oversees the new pipeline capacity is going to who as a group are declining to take coordination and operation of the be steep, but more importantly the risk. New York electric transmission that the lack of adequate pipeline So where does that leave the grid. NYISO interacts with and capacity when it is needed most is market and prospects for new coordinates closely with other far more expensive. That is a great pipeline construction? Stay tuned. ISOs and Regional Transmission place to start. The good news is that the looming Organizations (RTOs) to insure the disconnect between the need for adequacy of electric generation and Greg W. Hopper is managing director new pipeline construction and transmission capacity for reliable in Black & Veatch’s Management a market structure that makes it electricity service. Consulting Division where he leads clear(er) how it should be paid for Among other things that study the company’s Natural Gas and is not lost on key stakeholders, seeks to create greater understanding Power Fuel Markets practice and in particular the power industry. between the natural gas and electric holds primary responsibility for client This June, for example, the industries, with the end-game development and service delivery. New York Independent System being greater service reliability for Mr. Hopper is an expert in natural Operator (NYISO), in tandem with consumers. Other organizations are gas wholesale market issues, with counterparts in Ontario, New undertaking similar efforts. emphasis on midstream assets England and the broader Mid- Gas-Power planning and including pipeline, storage and LNG Atlantic, solicited proposals from reliability issues are exceptionally import and peakshaving systems.
napipelines.com JULY 2012 | North American Oil & Gas Pipelines 31 Bucket Wheel Speeds Production for Texas Pipeliner
Bottom Line Services Increases Efficiency for 60-mile Installation
By Curt Grandia
ust as storefront businesses rely on cantly increased its pipeline production. Bot- three key factors for success — loca- tom Line Services, which is headquartered in Bottom Line tion, location, location — much of George West, Texas, about 60 miles northwest Services the success in today’s fast-paced con- of Corpus Christi, used the machine on a re- fires up struction industry depends on a sim- cent pipeline project in the southern part of its bucket ilarJ proposition: production, production, pro- the state. wheel duction. When customers commit to projects, “We had been looking for a bucket wheel trencher to they want contractors to get the work done for some time when we were awarded a increase “yesterday,” and that’s when having the right gathering blanket contract that consisted of productivity equipment pays dividends. laying 60 miles of 6- and 8-in. gathering lines on a recent For a Texas underground company that fo- of various lengths,” says John Blevins, vice pipeline cuses on building infrastructure for natural president and general manager of Bottom Line installation gas and hydrocarbon liquids, the acquisition Services. “The project area, spread over a 50- in Texas. of a bucket wheel trencher attachment signifi- mile radius in and around LaSalle County, had
32 North American Oil & Gas Pipelines | JULY 2012 napipelines.com COMING IN OCTOBER!
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Ryan Sneltzer at: [email protected] or (330) 315-2114. the right types of soils and small TECHNICAL SESSIoNS for TodAy’S UTILITy ProfESSIoNALS! rocks to make the bucket wheel a fit Regional ConfeRenCe foCused on the following oppoRtunities: for the application.” Site PreP aration . Geothermal . Shale DrillinG Bottom Line Services got its start Solar Power w inD Power e quiP ment i nnovationS in 2000 when Greg Blevins returned . . to southern Texas after working for 23 years in the oil and gas industry. Soon after, Terry and Lisa Jackson joined the company, bringing more than 40 years of pipeline construc- tion management experience with In Conjun them. The company chose a Ver- CtIon w Ith: meer bucket wheel attachment pow- ered by a Vermeer T655 Commander 3 tractor to get the job done. “We rented the bucket wheel for the first two months to see how it would perform in those soil conditions,” Blevins explains. “Based on our evaluation, TM we decided to purchase the machine, and we’ve been working it ever since. It works excellent and has helped us increase our production an average of about 40 percent.” Project Details This particular bucket wheel was designed specifically Owner: Hopfield Services for the installation of smaller diameter cross-country Contractor: Bottom Line Services pipelines. It can cut trench widths of 22, 24 or 28 in. and Location: LaSalle County, Texas, and surrounding area depths up to 80 in. Purpose: Gathering pipelines From Deep in the Length: 60 miles Heart of Texas Pipe specs: 6- and 8-in. diameter carbon steel pipe With 400 employees in its pipeline and field facility divisions, Bottom Line Services works primarily in to wait a day or two to let it dry up.” southern Texas but has completed projects all over Along with the bucket wheel, other equipment the pipe- the state and into Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and line crew used on the gathering lines included dozers, ex- Utility Oklahoma. The company started the gathering blanket cavators, backhoes and maintainers. With six welders on project for Hopfield Services a year ago and completed the site to fabricate and lay the pipe, the crew generally in- Work work in November. stalled about a mile of trench in a day. Called “gathering lines” because they gather up liq- AheAd uids from multiple wells and funnel the liquid into larger In Other Uses transportation systems, the lines are regular carbon steel In addition to using the bucket wheel on smaller pipe pipe and typically have 3 to 4 ft of ground cover. installations for gathering lines, Bottom Line Services em- “We might lay anywhere from a mile to seven or more ploys the machine for topsoiling on projects that require REGISTRATION IS OPEN AT miles of pipe in various locations, and so for bidding we larger-diameter pipe. Roberts Centre, worked with the customer to base everything off footage “A lot of landowners request that we topsoil the first 8 www.oucconference.com and a set price for the moves based on mileage,” Blevins to 18 in. and save that soil to the side for reuse,” Blevins Wilmington, OH includes education sessions, activities, outdoor demonstrations, says. “That is fair for the customer and for us.” notes. “We use the bucket wheel because of the speed and (bETWEEN C O lumbuS ANd CINCINNATI) access to the exhibit hall, lunch and networking reception. On these types of projects, Bottom Line Services will lay ability to save the topsoil to one side, and then after we the pipe on the ground and do 90 percent of the welding cut the deeper ditch, we drop and cover our lines using October 9 – 10, 2012 FinD u S on Facebook and l inkeDin above ground. Then the crew will cut the ditch, place the the topsoil. When we have ideal soil conditions, we can pipe and backfill. achieve 50 to 60 ft per minute of production. In other ar- For exhibiting and sponsoring opportunities, contact Kevin Duresky at [email protected] or 330.467.7588 “It’s a sequence, but here in south Texas we can get a lot eas, even with challenging soil conditions, we can get 20 of rain, so we don’t want to have too much open ditch,” to 30 ft per minute.” Blevins adds. “The laying crew gets started by welding the On gathering lines and for topsoiling operations, the pipe sections together, and then we’ll start trenching, lay- benefit of using the bucket wheel, Blevins says, is speed. ing pipe in the trench and then backfilling. The main ben- And the bottom line for Bottom Line Services is that speed efit of using a bucket wheel in these conditions is speed, equals production, production, production. but the ground conditions have to be good. We had tre- Session Sponsor: Supporting Partner mendous amounts of rain during the project, and when Curt Grandia is features writer at Two Rivers Marketing, organizations: organization: the ground was so saturated we determined it was better based in Des Moines, Iowa, working on behalf of Vermeer.
34 North American Oil & Gas Pipelines | JULY 2012 napipelines.com TECHNICAL SESSIoNS for TodAy’S UTILITy ProfESSIoNALS! Regional ConfeRenCe foCused on the following oppoRtunities: Site PreP aration . Geothermal . Shale DrillinG Solar Power . w inD Power . e quiP ment i nnovationS
In Conjun CtIon w Ith:
TM
Utility Work AheAd
Roberts Centre, REGISTRATION IS OPEN AT www.oucconference.com Wilmington, OH includes education sessions, activities, outdoor demonstrations, (bETWEEN C O lumbuS ANd CINCINNATI) access to the exhibit hall, lunch and networking reception. October 9 – 10, 2012 FinD u S on Facebook and l inkeDin
For exhibiting and sponsoring opportunities, contact Kevin Duresky at [email protected] or 330.467.7588
Session Sponsor: Supporting Partner organizations: organization: Over the River
Michels’ Planning Process Ensures Successful Crossing By Jill Badzinski
36 North American Oil & Gas Pipelines | JULY 2012 napipelines.com lanning, preparation and experience are key As the safety efforts get initiated on the river-crossing components of the successful completion of projects, many other wheels also start spinning. an open-cut river crossing. Navigating the regulatory process is a key step. River- With all river crossings, the multi-faceted crossing projects must be approved by multiple agencies, planning process gets under way months, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Federal Pand sometimes even years, before an excavator starts Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), before any site digging or a pipe gets pulled. All river crossing projects work can commence. Michels Pipeline Construction has are unique, but there are some steps that must be taken a set protocol for meeting the demands of the regulatory by contractors in preparation for all of them. process. Among the steps taken to make the process a Michels Pipeline Construction, a division of Michels smooth one are getting permits from the client for all Corporation in Brownsville, Wis., prides itself in crossings and notifying all required agencies before the its inventive, industry-leading pipeline solutions, actual work begins. but ensuring the health and safety of its people and Another important task accomplished early in the protecting the environment are integral components of process is to gain an understanding of the geology and the company’s core values. Michels goes to great lengths local geological features of a job. This knowledge is critical to implement and monitor comprehensive health and to the development of a work plan for a river crossing. safety plans for its employees. One way to gain some of the information is to review what Safety begins with the crews that are performing the river- has already been studied by the owner, its consultants crossing jobs. It is critical for a Michels crew to never feel and the regulating agencies. Information in that review that safety has been achieved because the crew must never includes geotechnical reports and an understanding of become complacent. It is an ongoing effort every minute any peculiarities to the specific crossing. It is critical for of every day that work is performed. Michels achieves its contractors to use all of that information in conjunction stringent safety standards in a variety of ways, including a 6 with their experience and pre-construction analysis to a.m. meeting with all foremen, daily tailgate meetings with provide a safe and robust construction plan. each crew and a preconstruction plan review of all water The length of the crossing, depth of the river, current body crossings. Each job has a site-specific safety plan that velocity, marine traffic and regulatory mandates— all of addresses project-wide safety regulations and concerns, and which differ by project — are factors that can influence project safety staff visits all crews each day. how a project is approached.
napipelines.com JULY 2012 | North American Oil & Gas Pipelines 37 A Spring crane with clamshell bucket were concrete encasement was formed and Crossing used for excavation. The bottom poured onto the pipe. Encasing a pipe In the spring, Michels completed of the Monongahela River at the in concrete stabilizes buoyancy during an 804-ft river crossing of a 24-in. area of the crossing is primarily its installation and also helps protect diameter natural gas pipeline in silt, which the Corps of Engineers it from unexpected impacts after it is southwestern Pennsylvania. The dredges and maintains at various placed in a river bed. crossing spanned the Monongahela depths to accommodate barge There was limited workspace adjacent River, a 15-ft deep prime navigation traffic as well as runoff from storms to the Monongahela River crossing and channel with substantial and tributaries. The excavated required equipment to be barged to the barge traffic, between Carroll material was loaded onto storage east side of the river. Sheet pile docks and Rostraver townships near barges, which were tied off at had to be constructed so equipment Charleroi, Pa. Open-cut crossings specific locations until they were and materials could get loaded on and of major rivers are uncommon needed for backfilling the trench. off the barges. This temporary dock in today’s environment. For this Because the river is a navigable arrangement also provided the ability crossing, extensive efforts were waterway, no booms or silt curtains to complete a 170-ft bored crossing of made to successfully preserve water were required for the work, but a railroad and highway on the east side quality downstream and to meet the trench spoil did not travel of the river. all environmental concerns. beyond 25 ft of the trench. The The conditions of the Monongahela In February, crews from Michels trench spoil was contained to a River had to be monitored so the work and its subcontractor excavated small area by keeping the drag line could safely progress during times when the trench, which varied in width under water and at grade, instead the water levels were not too high. from 7 to 10 ft. Because of barge of bringing it out of the water. The traffic in the area and the depth of material and depth of the crossing Lowering in the Pipe the river, the water flow could not also helped with containment. While getting a quality crew assembled be diverted with dams and flume All environmental work was is critical to any job, it is particularly pipe to allow backhoes to dig the monitored to ensure its compliance important on jobs with unique drench from the banks and the with FERC permits. challenges. For this job, it was essential river bed. Instead, a spud barge and At about the same time, a to work with a riverboat captain, underwater divers and a Michels tie-in foreman with river crossing experience. Before the pipe was pulled, it was WANT SAWYER QUALITY AND ECONOMY? welded on land into three sections. A pulling head was welded to the first SPECIFY SAWYER QUICK-SET section. The pulling head was attached to a pulling cable on the tug and the first PIPE CUTTING & BEVELING section was pulled into the trench. A tail MACHINES. section was left on the bank so that a welder could weld the second section onto the first section. After the first two For pipe and tubing sizes sections were pulled, a tail was again left 1-1/4”- 20”, the Quick-Set on the bank to have the final section welded to it. Side booms were used to machine features a full suspend each section until it reached a circle traveling ring, point in the water where the tug could hinged to open for fitting. begin each pull. Before the pipe was lowered, divers NO SPACERS inspected the trench to ensure no REQUIRED! foreign materials, such as trees, metal or rock, were present. The divers also made Model sure no additional silt had filtered into 205CS the trench so the 10 ft of cover could be established. Each of three pre-welded sections of pipe were pulled and welded into the 918.834.2550 river trench. www.sawyermfg.com Once the pipe was in the trench, divers did a final inspection to make sure there
38 North American Oil & Gas Pipelines | JULY 2012 napipelines.com With all river crossings, the multi-faceted planning process gets under way months or even years before an excavator starts digging or a pipe gets pulled. All river crossing projects are unique, but navigating the regulatory process and ensuring safety are two key factors in ensuring a successful project.
Project Details Contractor: Michels Pipeline Construction Lower Your Location: Southwestern Pennsylvania Purpose: Natural gas pipeline Length: 804-ft river crossing Environmental Impact Pipe specs: 24-in. diameter steel
CK TRA S ER TEM UBB YS were no placement flaws or unexpected occurrences R N S RSIO TO VE ELS that would require adjustment. The divers specifically CON OD M ! 6 M FRO 7 SE OO checked to make sure the pipe was resting along the CH centerline of the trench. Additionally, a survey was performed to verify the correct depth and centerline of the trench. After that final inspection, a subcontractor began offloading the material excavated from the trench by clam bucket and placed it back into the trench. Next, all restoration, including removal of the temporary sheet piling, was completed. Inspection personnel from Michels Quality Control, the owner and Army Corps of Engineers conducted a final review Mattracks.com on site to make sure all specifications have been 12SML0000166 completed as designed.
Jill Badzinski is corporate writer and marketing special- ist for Michels Corp., based in Brownsville, Wis. Karlstad, MN / 877-436-7800 napipelines.com JULY 2012 | North American Oil & Gas Pipelines 39 40 North American Oil&Gas Pipelines| Pipeline Product Expo With thedevelopmentof the higher speedsthaneverbefore. heavy-wall, high-strengthpipes at dependable powerneededto bend Machine providesconsistent, the CRC-EvansAdvantageBending Instead offluidleaksandbreakdowns, reliability issuesthataccompanythem. eliminated, alongwiththecommon stiffback, largeoutboardcylindersare to dotheheavyliftingagainst bending costs.Byusingawedge free performancetoreduceoverall provides powerful,fast,problem- the AdvantageBendingMachine machine thatuseswedgetechnology, the industry’s firstandonlybending world ofpipelineconstruction.As an incredibleadvancementinthe Advantage BendingMachineis CRC-Evans PipelineInternational’s AdvantageBendingMachine CRC-Evans metallurgical effectsassociatedwith many oftheadversesectionaland radius bendscanbeachievedwithout section beingbent.Relativelytight induction heatanarrowbandofthe turn inductioncoil,toprogressively electric powertransmittedviaasingle induction bendingprocessuses sand packstyleofbending.The This processantiquatesthearchaic pipe spoolsinmultipleplanes. pipelines bybendingsinglelength the abilitytoreducebuttweldson quality, inductionbendingoffers In additiontoprovidinghigh-standard terms ofbendradii,angleandplanes. offer ahighdegreeofflexibilityin controlled, thecompanyisableto B16.49 pipelinespec.Beingcomputer which meetsandexceedstheASME diameter and4-in.wallthickness, bends upthrough42-in.outside American PipeBendingheatinduction American PipeBendingCo.Induction Product pieline JULY 2012 the bentpipeemerging from Depending onmaterialrequirements, ensuring preciseexecution. in theprocessiscomputercontrolled parameter localized heatband.Every resistivity ofthematerialgeneratesa circulating currentandtheelectrical throughout thepipewall.This inducing acirculating electriccurrent efficiently heatsthesectionby The inductionprocessdirectlyand traditional bendingtechniques. incomparable CRC-Evans team. These incomparable CRC-Evans team.These Bending Machine showcasesthe applied technology, theAdvantage developing arevolutionary, smartly friendly andmoreaffordable. Beyond technology that is both environmentally and needformaintenance,fostering a These smallcylindersalsoreduceleaks when bendingheavy-wallpipes. convenient forfasterperformance smaller andfewerthereforemore exertion isrequired,thecylindersare to thestiffback.Sincelessoriginal augmenting theleverageforce applied force againstawedge,exponentially two smallinboardcylinderstoexert Advantage BendingMachineuses bending machineperformance.The harnessed wedgepowertorevolutionize CRC-Evans engineeringintelligently Advantage BendingMachine,advanced Expo the bendingprocess. monitored andrecordedthroughout bending forces arealsocontinually characteristics. Thepushingand promotes predeterminedmetallurgical maintains alocalizedheatbandand This controlledcoolingprocess manner byanairorwaterspray. induction coiliscooledinacontrolled www.apb-bend.com. For moreinformation,visit www.crc-evans.com. For moreinformation,visit individuals throughout any and all projects. throughout anyandallprojects. operation andachievetopperformance fullest potential customers applythisinnovationtoits worldwide resources inplacetohelp — with vast expertise and withvastexpertiseand — help to establish fluid helptoestablishfluid napipelines.com Pipeline Product Expo | North American Oil & Gas Pipelines 41 JULY 2012 JULY For more information, visit www.darbyequip.com. bending machines, mandrels, roller bending machines, mandrels, roller cradles, pneumatic lineup clamps, pipe facing machines and a full range of pipeline supplies.
Other features are an are an Other features shutoff automatic to preserve battery to read, life and easy digital continuous readout. Contractors and on-site operators will love the Darby bending measurement system because it eliminates potential injuries associated with the need to climb onto the pipe. It keeps bending work moving ahead with ease to save One time and money. AccuBend model will cover the whole range of pipe sizes. Darby AccuBend measuring system joins the full line of pipeline construction equipment products that have earned a reputation for dependability and value around the world including hydraulic pipe
napipelines.com Darby AccuBend Darby can now ship Darby Equipment pipe state-of-the-art its AccuBend with system bending measurement is package. The unit any bending ready field-tested and thoroughly in a hard on arrival. It arrives case. shell, compact, self-contained 1/10 degree, it Accurate to within and is employs advanced technology use to save time, designed for ease of It features money and headaches. transmitters that two magnetic base wall of the hold tight to the outside conditions pipe regardless of weather radio frequencies and emit serialized mounted at the to a single receiver stand. The relative angle operator’s is set by a simple flip of the switch The receiver also on the receiver. computes the net bend in the pipe regardless of the orientation of the bending machine. Operational simplicity and rugged reliability mark this measuring system. Like all Darby products, it is engineered and built to withstand the demanding challenges of pipeline right-of-way construction. 42 North American Oil&Gas Pipelines| Pipeline Product Expo maximizes the life and performance of maximizes the life andperformanceof steel andcastaluminum construction gathering systems.Itsheavy-duty machine suitsworkonmainline and Sawyer’s Compact200Cbeveling adjustment armsrequirenospacers. of thepipeandmachine’s sliding installation overthetoporend travel ring.Thesplitframeallows design includesafull360-degree time.Theuser-friendlysaddle every able to perform a smooth, accurate cut designed foreasysetupandoperation, 1½ to20in.Thisuniquemachineis will cutpipeortubingrangingfrom or tubing.FoursizesoftheQuick-Set work,sizedforcuttingpipe refinery all bevelingneedsintheshopor machine isalightweightfor The SawyerQuick-Set205CSbevel Sawyer PipeCuttingandBevelingMachines All polyurethane-linedbendingsets damage duringthebendingprocess. lined toprotectthepipefrom precisely machinedandpolyurethane- bending diesandsets.Allare Pipetech carriesafullrangeofpipe diverse lineofpipelinesupplies. Pneumatic LineupClamps,aswella Measuring SystemandInternal Hydraulic DiskMandrels,Surebend Mandrels, HydraulicWedge Mandrels, Sets, Pneumatic“Self-Centering”Wedge Machines, BendingDiesand includes HydraulicPipeBending rental worldwide,withalineup construction equipmentsalesand Pipetech offersspecializedpipeline Pipetech BendingSets to 48-in.outerdiameter(OD),covering prep/beveling onpipesrangingfrom2- Frame (LCSF)providescuttingandend The E.H.Wachs LowClearanceSplit E.H. Wachs PipeBendingandBevelingEquipment JULY 2012 the pipe. distance toaccurately bevelandcut of theunevenpipeatanappropriate It isabletoglidearoundthe perimeter cutting andbevelingdisfigured pipe. removes theproblemsfacedwith The Out-Of-RoundAttachment orreverse. it canoperateforward it greatforflameorplasmacuttingand production. Variable speedoptionsmake into anelectricmotordriveforincreased converts amanualbevelingmachine The SawyerMotorDriveAttachment sizes tocutpipefrom360in. pipeline andisavailableinavarietyof install andremoveanywhereonthe the Quick-Setmodel.Itiseasytosetup, saddle designandenclosedgearboxlike the machine.TheCompactfeaturesa to 48in.and60 to 20in.,1630223638 available inpipesizesrangingfrom6 operations. Bendingmachinesare offer aircompressorsformandrel flow hydraulicsand All machineshavehigh yield, heavywallpipe. are abletohandlehigh The company’s benders request. are availableupon machines. Specialsizes hydraulic pipebending and mostbrandname designed tofitallmodel are manufacturedand 1-in. wallthickness. speed bevelingonpipeswithupto Form toolmachiningprovideshigh- it canbeslippedoveranopenend. around theODofinlinepiping,or engineered toopenandmount The Wachs SplitFramehasbeen harmful conditions. are present,greatlyreducingpotential and bevelpipewherehydrocarbons pipeline contractorscansafelycoldcut easily andefficiently. UsingtheLCSF, of agingpipelineinfrastructures to produceweldprepsformaintenance material. Pipelinecontractorsareable most pipewallthicknessesand quality bendforallpipesizes. time, increasessafetyandensuresa The Surebendmeasuringsystemsaves productivity. match existingpipeline,increasing and canperformcounterboresto cutter makesweld-readypreps to itslonglife.ThisODmounted bearing constructioncontributes range ofclimates.Thefullroller downtime andoperatesinawide (typically byoneoperator)toshorten The LCSFsetsupquicklyandeasily to theLCSF’s strengthandportability. aluminum componentscontributes Acombinationofsteeland Industrial-Products/. visit For moreinformation, visit For moreinformation, visit For moreinformation, www.ehwachs.com/ www.sawyermfg.com. www.pipetech.net. napipelines.com
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