Energy Services

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    Hearings Scheduled for Proposed Duke Pipeline in Cincinnati

    Duke Energy Ohio, an LDC or “local distribution company” serves some half a million customers with natural gas in Ohio. The company has a 12-mile pipeline to flow the gas it needs, to move it from one point to another in Hamilton County (Cincinnati), in the southwest corner of the state. The Duke pipeline has been in service since the 1950s. Duke needs to replace that pipe or some of those half million Duke customers won’t get natural gas any more. Because anything to do with “fracking” or “pipelines” has been so thoroughly bastardized by the media and anti-fossil fuel protesters, there has been, of course, opposition to Duke’s plan. So Duke “listened” and has scaled back their plans. Instead of building a 30-inch gas pipeline running at 600 psi (pounds per square inch), the revised plan calls for a 20-inch pipeline running at 400 psi (see Duke Energy Modifies/Scales Back Plan for SW OH Pipeline). Duke proposed two potential routes, both of which are opposed by antis, including a group calling themselves NOPE–Neighbors Opposing Pipeline Extension. We call them DOPEs–Dummies Opposing Pipeline Extensions. Will the DOPErs volunteer to shut off the natural gas to their homes and businesses if the pipeline doesn’t get built? Not on your life! Two public hearings have now been scheduled–one for June 15 and the other July 12. The DOPErs are gearing up to fight…
    Read More “Hearings Scheduled for Proposed Duke Pipeline in Cincinnati”

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    Nuverra Environmental 2016 Update – Red Ink Slows, Some

    Nuverra Environmental Solutions is one of the largest companies in the United States that handles transportation and disposal of shale drilling wastewater and leftover rock and dirt from drilling. The company has major operations in the Marcellus/Utica region. In January the company, going through tough economic times, was de-listed from the New York Stock Exchange (see Nuverra Environmental Delisted from NYSE, Now a Penny Stock). At last check-in in December, we noted that the company continues to struggle (see Nuverra Environmental Line of Credit Expanded, Payback Extended). Although it’s a bit later than others, Nuverra has just released its full year 2016 update. What do the numbers show? While Nuverra lost $195 million in 2015, it narrowed the loss in 2016–losing “only” $169 million for the year. Still not great, but better than it was. Here’s the update…
    Read More “Nuverra Environmental 2016 Update – Red Ink Slows, Some”

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    Williams Sells Gulf Coast Cracker Plant to NOVA Chemicals

    Williams Geismar Olefins facility – click for larger version

    Midstream giant Williams has been on a mission to make the company economically stronger AND produce cash that can be used for various purposes. In August, Williams announced they would sell their Canadian assets for $1 billion (see Bold Move – Williams Selling Canadian Assets). In September, Williams announced another potential asset sale–the company’s 88.5% ownership interest in the Geismar, Louisiana olefins petrochemical plant (see Williams Considers Selling its Gulf Coast Ethane Cracker Plant). The Geismar olefins plant is an ethane cracker by another name. It uses either ethane or propane and chemically “cracks” it into ethylene and propylene–raw plastics used by manufacturers. What does the Geismar plant have to do with the Marcellus/Utica? Directly, not much. There may be some Marcellus/Utica ethane flowing to that plant for processing, although we haven’t heard that. We’re interested in the story because Williams is one of the major midstream companies operating in our region. Anything that affects the company and its ability to continue operating, including asset sales in other regions, interests us. So it was with keen interest that we noticed Williams has now done the deal. They’ve agreed to sell the Geismar plant to Canada-based NOVA Chemicals, for $2.1 billion. Williams plans to use the money from the sale to pay down debt and fund capital investments…
    Read More “Williams Sells Gulf Coast Cracker Plant to NOVA Chemicals”

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    Select Energy Services Launches IPO, Hopes to Raise $159-$190M

    Select Energy Services, headquartered in Gainesville, Texas, offers water solutions, accommodations and rentals, and wellsite completion and construction services in every major shale play in the U.S., including the Marcellus/Utica. Founded in 2008, Select has a regional office in Washington, PA. Company-wide, Select employs almost 2,000 people. The last (and only) time we’ve covered Select was back in 2012, when they jilted Carroll County, Ohio out of building a new facility there (see Select Energy Reneges on Deal with Carroll County, OH). The reason Select has come across our radar screen again is because the company is launching an initial public offering (IPO) of 10.6 million shares of stock, hoping to raise $159-$190 million…
    Read More “Select Energy Services Launches IPO, Hopes to Raise $159-$190M”

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    Williams Responds to Tired Old Claim Atlantic Sunrise Exports Gas

    Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline map – click for larger version

    One of the arguments anti-pipeline advocates are attempting to use to slow down the Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline project in Pennsylvania is to argue there aren’t enough Federal Energy Regulatory (FERC) Commissioners to listen to them complain. When FERC Chairman Norman “cry baby” Bay left in a huff on Feb. 3, FERC was left with just two (out of five) active Commissoners (see FERC Commissioner Norm Bay Targets M-U on Way Out the Door). On Bay’s last day on the job, he and the other two active Commissioners voted to approve the Atlantic Sunrise project (see Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Gets Final Approval by FERC). When a project is authorized, the very first tactic in the anti playbook is to challenge it. But unfortunately (for the antis), nobody’s home to hear them. That is, there aren’t enough Commissioners to hear their protest and make a decision to reverse their previous decision. Thing is, if they did hear the complaining of antis and decided their original decision was just fine, the antis then move on to filing an appeal in court. But antis can’t “pass go and collect $200” (i.e. go to court) until/unless FERC first refuses to “re-hear” their decision. Antis in Lebanon County have filed with FERC, hoping there will soon be a quorum to consider their complaint against Williams and Atlantic Sunrise. One of their main arguments is a very old argument–that most of the gas that will head south will be exported. Williams took time to swat that one away, once again…
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    FERC Wants More Info, Route Tweaks from Atlantic Coast Pipeline

    One of the oft-repeated lies we hear from anti-fossil fuelers against the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is that the agency “never” rejects a pipeline proposal, and “hasn’t in 20 years.” The conclusion, according to liemeisters like THE Delaware Riverkeeper, is that FERC is simply a “rubber stamp” for “big oil and gas”–not to be trusted and (preferably) shut down. That’s the kindergartenish meme they pedal to unthinking, left-leaning enviro lapdogs (their followers), who believe them. But you and I know the truth. This is that truth: FERC picks over pipeline projects with a fine-tooth comb. When FERC finds something they don’t like, they respond back to the project builder with “suggestions” about route changes, construction guidelines, request for more information, etc. If the project builder decides to disregard FERC’s “suggestions,” the builder runs the risk of having the project rejected. So they change it. It is an ongoing negotiation. What if FERC demands something really wacky? The project builder will push back, but in the end, what FERC wants, FERC gets. Period. And so it is with Dominion’s $5 billion, 594-mile Atlantic Coast Pipeline–a natural gas pipeline that will stretch from West Virginia through Virginia and into North Carolina. Atlantic Coast is winding its way through the FERC regulatory process. Last week was the deadline for filing comments on FERC’s draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for the project. On Tuesday, FERC sent Dominion a 36-page letter (full copy below) regarding the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, identifying 100 areas of concern with the “suggestion” that minor route changes and workspace reductions would button up most issues. You can bet your bottom dollar Atlantic Coast Pipeline will bend over backwards to make those adjustments. This is how adults handle things…
    Read More “FERC Wants More Info, Route Tweaks from Atlantic Coast Pipeline”

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    Texas Gas Asks FERC for Extra 2 Yrs on Northern Supply Access Proj

    Click for larger version

    Texas Gas Transmission (TGT) is a big pipeline network owned and operated by Boardwalk Pipeline Partners. Originally built from the Louisiana Gulf Coast to the upper Midwest, the purpose of the pipeline system was to supply Illinois, Indiana and Ohio with natural gas. Then the Marcellus/Utica Shale happened and TGT needed to change strategies. Through a series of projects, TGT made the pipeline system bidirectional, so it could flow gas from the Marcellus/Utica to points south, going as far as the Gulf Coast. One of the primary projects to accomplish that objective is called the Northern Access Supply Project, which first landed on our radar in Sept. 2015 (see Northern Supply Access Proj. Expands OH to Gulf Pipeline Capacity). Northern Access Supply was authorized by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in March 2016 to “construct a new compressor station in Hamilton County, Ohio and make modifications at eight existing compressor stations in, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana in order to enable Texas Gas to provide an additional 384,000 million British thermal units (“MMBtu”) per day of firm transportation service primarily in a north-to-south direction on Texas Gas’s system while maintaining Texas Gas’s current ability to flow gas south-to-north.” FERC gave TGT two years to get the work done (deadline March 2018). While some of the work has been done, not all of it has–and now TGT is asking for more time–an additional two years (to March 2020) to complete the project. Why? Because one of shippers contracted to use 100,000 MMBtus of that capacity (or 26% of the increased capacity) has filed for bankruptcy and can’t fulfill its commitment. So TGT wants to delay the final work until it has more customers for the other 100,000 MMBtus of capacity…
    Read More “Texas Gas Asks FERC for Extra 2 Yrs on Northern Supply Access Proj”

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    OH Lawsuit Tries, Fails to Stop Mariner East 2 Pipeline

    Click map for larger version

    The Mariner East 2 (ME2) Pipeline has always been a story about Pennsylvania. Almost always. ME2 is actually two pipelines, laid side by side, that are meant to carry natural gas liquids (propane and butane) from southwestern Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio all the way across PA to the Philadelphia area–terminating at the Marcus Hook refinery/terminal. Most (not all) of the NGLs are exported to other countries. And therein lies the bone of contention. ME2 was granted status as a public utility and with it, the right to use eminent domain to force landowners to allow the pipeline across their property. Some landowners resisted, and (with help from anti groups) sued, repeatedly, claiming there is no public benefit from NGLs that get exported to other countries. They do have a point. So ME2 built four “off ramps” in PA–points where propane and butane will be purchased and used locally, which helps justify the public utility/eminent domain claim. Until now we’ve always read about lawsuits against ME2 originating in PA, where 95% of the pipeline will be built. However, there was a vigorous challenge to ME2 in Ohio on the same grounds–that ME2 is not in the public interest. That lawsuit argued, among other things, there are no “off ramps” in Ohio where the NGLs will be sold and used. However, a lower court and then an appeals court didn’t buy that argument and ruled against the landowner and in favor of ME2. That case appears dead, but it was appealed to the Ohio Supreme Court (no decision yet on hearing the case). This post will catch you up on the arguments for and against ME2 and its claim to be a public utility with the right of eminent domain in Ohio…
    Read More “OH Lawsuit Tries, Fails to Stop Mariner East 2 Pipeline”

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    Rover Works w/Farmers to Ensure Field Access During Construction

    We previously highlighted a video that shows the massive project underway to construct the Rover Pipeline (see Video of Rover Pipeline’s Massive & Complex Construction in OH). Truly impressive feat of engineering. Rover cuts through a lot of farm land–as evidenced on that video. So what happens when the pipeline is cutting through a farmer’s property, and the farmer needs to drive his tractor and other equipment from one side of the construction to a field on the other side? Out of luck? Screwed? Too bad, so sad? Nope. Rover, like other responsible pipeline companies, is working with farmers to ensure they can get to where they need to go during pipeline construction. In some cases Rover will install “trench plugs” over the trench, and in other cases “timber mats”…
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    Voice Support for Atlantic Sunrise @ PA DEP Event Apr 19

    For months MDN has encouraged its readers to get behind and support Williams’ Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline project–a $3 billion, 198-mile pipeline project running through 10 Pennsylvania counties to connect Marcellus Shale natural gas from northeastern PA with the Williams’ Transco pipeline in southern Lancaster County. In February the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) gave its final seal of approval for the project (see Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Gets Final Approval by FERC). But such approvals are never the last word in the complex world of building pipelines. In addition to FERC’s approval, Williams still needs permits from the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The DEP moves like a glacier, but finally they are holding their first public hearing on the project. The hearing will deal specifically and only with a compressor station in Lycoming County, PA. The hearing is scheduled for April 19 (next Wednesday) in Jersey Shore, PA. You KNOW the antis will launch an all-out assault at the meeting. It is important for those of us who support Atlantic Sunrise to also attend and offer words of support for the compressor station, and the project. Williams has a special form (click here) where you can register your intent to attend…
    Read More “Voice Support for Atlantic Sunrise @ PA DEP Event Apr 19”

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    SC Issues Water Permits for Transco to Charleston Pipeline Project

    Transco to Charleston Project – click for larger version

    In March 2016, Dominion filed an official application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for a 55-mile pipeline project called the Transco to Charleston Project (see Dominion Files Application to Move Marcellus Gas to Charleston, SC). As the name implies, it will be a short pipeline to connect the Transco pipeline, which is in the process of reversing flows to bring Marcellus and Utica Shale gas south. This new pipeline will grab Transco’s Marcellus/Utica gas and send it to the Charleston, SC area. In February the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved the project (see FERC Approves SC Pipeline to Flow Marcellus Gas to Charleston). So in March, a group of radical anti-fossil fuelers filed a lawsuit to try and stop the project (see SC Antis File FERC Challenge to Stop Marcellus Pipe to Charleston). Hey, whatever floats your boat. Meanwhile, yesterday the State of South Carolina granted the project its stamp of approval by approving stream crossing permits. Once again, the antis have their knickers in a twist…
    Read More “SC Issues Water Permits for Transco to Charleston Pipeline Project”

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    Dominion Cove Point to Begin LNG Exports to India in Jan 2018

    Since early 2013 all of the LNG export capacity at the coming Cove Point LNG facility (on the shore of Maryland) has been spoken for–by India and Japan (see Dominion’s Cove Point LNG Facility Achieves Important Milestones). Cove Point is scheduled to go online late this year, with shipments heading to India beginning in January 2018. GAIL India, the state-owned entity contracted with Dominion/Cove Point for LNG from the plant, has known about the coming date for the past four years. They will need numerous ships to ferry Cove Point LNG to India. So GAIL put out the word several years ago for companies to build nine ships total–to handle LNG exports from both Cove Point and Cheniere Energy’s Sabine Pass facility, along the Gulf Coast. One of the requirements for the project is that three of the nine has to be built in India–“Made in India”. They got no takers, and so now GAIL is scrambling to try and lease ships for the “short term” (3-4 years) so they can begin shipping on time…
    Read More “Dominion Cove Point to Begin LNG Exports to India in Jan 2018”

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    How to Apply for one of the 15K Jobs Building the Rover Pipeline

    Last week MDN brought you the news that Energy Transfer’s $3.7 billion, 711-mile Rover Pipeline needs up to 15,000 workers to build it. They currently have ~4,500 workers. And they want to complete the first stage of the pipeline by July (see Help Wanted: 15,000 Workers Needed for Rover Pipeline, STAT!). MDN’s story went viral. It has, so far, been read over 17,000 times on the MDN website–an all-time high for a story less than a week old. The headline and blurb we posted on Facebook has been seen by nearly 72,000 people! The result was that we were flooded with this simple question: Where do I sign up to work on the pipeline? The answer, unfortunately, is not straightforward. We reached out to Energy Transfer multiple times and got less-than-satisfactory answers. Energy Transfer’s answer to the question is this: If you are a contractor or want to try your hand at becoming a contractor, you can try applying via Rover’s contractor online application process (here). However, most people are not interested in that route. They just want to sign up and begin working. For those folks, Rover responded, “Rover is committed to utilizing Union labor 100% for this project. Laborers looking for work, can contact their local union halls.” No help with identifying those local union halls. It is a sort of “you’re on your own” kind of response. Which strikes us as odd. Does Energy Transfer really want to complete this project on time? Could they at least provide a list of the “local union halls” for folks to contact? Apparently not. So we will…
    Read More “How to Apply for one of the 15K Jobs Building the Rover Pipeline”

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    US Forest Serv OKs Atlantic Coast Pipe Crossing Appalachian Trail

    Last Thursday was the last day for people, agencies, nutjobs, supporters–for anyone–to file an official comment with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on the agency’s draft environmental impact statement for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline project. Dominion has proposed building the $5 billion Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) project from West Virginia through Virginia and into North Carolina. One of the problems they’ve had is resistance from U.S. government agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service. In January 2016, the USFS told Dominion it was a no-go for running the pipeline through tiny pieces of either the Monongahela or George Washington national forests in West Virginia and Virginia (see US Forest Service Blocks Atlantic Coast Pipeline in National Forests). So we found it interesting that USFS, in filing a comment last Tuesday about the project, endorsed Atlantic Coast’s plan to drill underneath the famed Appalachian National Scenic Trail and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The pipeline will drill horizontally underneath both. While it’s good news that the USFS is not blocking the pipeline, the lifers still dug in at the EPA continue to pressure FERC to not release the final EIS, to do “further analysis”–which is code for delay the project until they can figure out a way to kill it. Here’s the good news from the USFS…
    Read More “US Forest Serv OKs Atlantic Coast Pipe Crossing Appalachian Trail”

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    NFG Calls Cuomo DEC Denial of Northern Access Pipe “Troubling”

    Yesterday we brought you the sad (and angering) news that once again Gov. Andrew Cuomo has caved to political pressure from environmental Nazis and instructed the now-corrupted Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to deny stream crossing permits for National Fuel Gas Company’s Northern Access Pipeline project (see Cuomo’s Corrupt NY DEC Blocks NFG Northern Access Pipeline Permit). NFG issued a statement yesterday. They pointed out the following: NFG’s pipeline project would have FAR LESS impact on the environment “than either exploding an entire bridge structure and dropping it into Cattaraugus Creek (Route 219) or developing and continuously operating a massive construction zone in the middle of the Hudson River (Tappan Zee Bridge) for a minimum of five years.” Both of those projects were reviewed and approved by Cuomo’s DEC. NFG points out the utter and complete hypocrisy in the DEC decision. The DEC held talks with NFG about the project for 34 months without proffering major objections. And at the eleventh hour, they pulled this stunt. Without saying so overtly, the NFG statement says Cuomo yanked on the DEC’s chain to make a political decision. While there is no mention of a lawsuit against the DEC, you can bet your bottom dollar such a suit is coming…
    Read More “NFG Calls Cuomo DEC Denial of Northern Access Pipe “Troubling””

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    OFS Co. Danos Moves Pittsburgh Office to Ohio, Expands in Utica

    Some 70 years ago Allen Danos Sr., a descendant of south Louisiana farmers, borrowed $2,000 to start a small tugboat company with his brother-in-law. The small business grew and expanded into the oil and gas business, attracting customers like Gulf Oil (which later became Chevron). Over the years Danos has continued to grow. Today it is an oilfield services company (OFS) servicing some of the world’s largest drillers with coating, construction, environmental, fabrication, instrumentation and electrical, production workforce, project management, consulting and more. Danos is still headquartered in Louisiana (with multiple offices in that state), but also with major offices in Texas–and in the Marcellus/Utica region. Danos is expanding in our region, opening a new facility in Martins Ferry, OH. They’ve also decided to close the Canonsburg, PA office and merge it into the Martins Ferry office. Here’s the announcement…
    Read More “OFS Co. Danos Moves Pittsburgh Office to Ohio, Expands in Utica”