Pipelines

Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines

Enviro-Nazis Say Marcellus Pipelines Equal Global Warming
July 26, 2016July 26, 2016

A group of rabidly left “environmental” groups–including Oil Change International, Appalachian Voices, Bold Alliance, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Earthworks, Environmental Action, Sierra Club (national), 350.org, Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, Protect Our Water/Heritage/Rights (Virginia & West Virginia), Sierra Club West Virginia Chapter, and Friends of Water (West Virginia)–recently published a piece of fiction titled, “A Bridge Too Far: How Appalachian Basin Gas Pipeline Expansion Will Undermine U.S. Climate Goals” (full copy below). As indicated by the title, these Nazi-like groups want to stop all new pipeline construction, repairs to existing pipelines, ANYTHING to do with a pipeline that flows natural gas or other fossil fuels. Why? They’re true believers that the earth is catastrophically heating up (it isn’t), and that mankind is causing it by burning fossil fuels (we aren’t). Their answer is to take the human race back to the Stone Ages when we burned cow dung and wood, apparently. One thing is for certain–you can’t even build windmills and solar panels without fossil fuels–so their so-called precious renewables aren’t an option. We wonder if they ever listen to themselves actually talk…
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Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | PennEast Pipeline | Pennsylvania | Pipelines | Regulation | Statewide PA

Major Step Forward – FERC Issues Favorable DEIS for PennEast Pipe
July 25, 2016July 25, 2016

PennEast Pipeline Route Map – click for larger version

THE Delaware Riverkeeper, Maya van Rossum, is “spitting” mad. Why? Because the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has signaled it will approve the PennEast Pipeline, a $1.2 billion, 119-mile desperately-needed natural gas pipeline from Luzerne County, PA to Mercer County, NJ that will haul Marcellus Shale gas from northern PA to markets in southeastern PA and NJ. On Friday FERC issued a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) that finds while there are a few things to fix in the PennEast plan before the pipeline gets built, they are fixable and the pipeline won’t have significant environmental impacts. van Rossum, upon learning of the favorable DEIS, said “The deadline for comments is an offensive abuse of power and spit in the face of all the communities that will be so deeply harmed by this project.” Needless to say, FERC’s decision put a smile on our face. PennEast calls it a “major step forward.” Indeed. It all but assures that this project will get approved and built…
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Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines | TC Energy/TransCanada

TransCanada’s Plan to Undercut/Displace Gas from the Marcellus
July 25, 2016July 25, 2016

One of the important new markets that Marcellus and Utica Shale drillers have been salivating over is Canada. Indeed, flows of natural gas, via pipelines, have increased to Canada over the past several years (see Marcellus/Utica Gas Increasingly Heads to Canada via Pipeline). One of the promising new markets for Marcellus gas is Canadian LNG exports (see List of LNG Export Projects for Marcellus/Utica Shale Gas). However, Canada is feeling a bit PO’d (personally offended) with the U.S., especially since Lord Obama rejected the Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada. Along has come a bold new proposal from TransCanada, which recently bought the U.S.-based Columbia Pipeline Group, to use existing pipelines from Western Canada to Eastern Canada–from Alberta to Toronto–to ship more natgas. The aim is to make is less expensive to get gas from Western Canada, some 2,400 miles away, than from the Marcellus, just 400 miles away. Should Marcellus drillers be concerned? Maybe. TransCanada is about to launch an open season for their bold, new plan to undercut the Marcellus…
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Crime | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines

The (Rotten) Apple Doesn’t Fall Far from the Al Gore Green Tree
July 25, 2016July 25, 2016

On June 29 a group of 26 “religious” (we use that term very loosely) radicals were arrested for stopping work on a 5-mile pipeline near Boston. We reported on one of the organizers of the crime, Tim DeChristopher (see Religious Radicals Arrested for Stopping Work on Boston Pipeline). Another person arrested that we didn’t mention was the daughter of Al Gore, Karenna Gore. Like most spoiled rotten children of privilege, Karenna isn’t happy that nobody noticed she got arrested. So, because of her star-power name, she was granted the opportunity to write an op-ed for the Boston Globe so she could tell the world, “Look at me! Look at me! ME ME ME ME”…
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Chesapeake Utilities | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines | Regulation

600 Days & Counting to Build a 7-Mile NatGas Pipeline in PA-DE
July 22, 2016July 22, 2016

A Bloomberg article takes a look at the ongoing and unnecessary delays companies face in building new pipelines–particularly in the Marcellus/Utica region. The Eastern Shore Natural Gas (ESNG) company, serving the Delmarva Peninsula (includes most of Delaware and portions of Maryland and Virginia), filed an application to build a measly 7 miles on Nov. 21, 2014. The $29.8 million pipeline project, called the White Oak Mainline Expansion Project, will “ease bottlenecks in transporting gas from the Marcellus shale formation” from Pennsylvania into Delaware. Why the horrific delays? Mostly because of opposition from insane anti-fossil fuelers who flood the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) with comments, protest meetings, launch lawsuits and in general attempt to slow or stop FERC authorizations. ESNG’s projects aren’t the only ones stretching out to years before authorization is granted…
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Industrywide Issues | Pipelines | Regulation

Guidelines for Using Drones in the O&G Industry
July 22, 2016July 22, 2016

On July 13, 2016, Congress passed legislation to allow limited drone use by the energy industry as part of the reauthorization bill for the Federal Aviation Administration (see Congress Approves Unmanned Drone Use in O&G Industry). The legislation defines drones as “small unmanned aircraft” weighing less than 55 pounds. Pipeline companies, in particular, can make use of drones with cameras to fly along pipeline routes to spot hazards or potential problems. And they can do it much more quickly and efficiently than having boots on the ground. The legal beagles at top energy law firm Babst Calland have written a “Pipeline Safety Alert” briefing paper that tackles the updates to the FAA regs allowing drones in the oil and gas industry–what’s allowed, and what isn’t. If you’re a midstreamer or even a driller, it’s worth your time to read this short paper…
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Accidents | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Pipelines | Regulation | Spectra Energy | Westmoreland County

Feds Find More Corrosion, Issue Order re Exploded TETCO Pipe in PA
July 21, 2016July 21, 2016

An update on Spectra Energy’s Texas Eastern Transmission’s (TETCO) “Delmont Line 27” which exploded in Westmoreland County, PA on April 29 (see Texas Eastern Pipeline Explodes near Pittsburgh, Antis Celebrate). We previously told you that not only was Line 27 out of commission, so too were three other pipelines running through the same corridor, meaning 1 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day is not reaching certain mid-Atlantic markets (see Update on Spectra Pipeline Explosion Near Pittsburgh). The early evidence points to corrosion along welded seams, although the jury is still out and the exact cause may not be known for months. One of the four lines that was offline (Line 19) was examined and certified by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) in early May to go back online (see TETCO Pipeline Up & Running Post-Explosion; Antis Exploit Accident). However, the other three lines have remained idle pending further investigation and won’t be online again until at least November (see Ruptured TETCO Pipeline in PA Offline Until November). In an order issued on Tuesday, federal regulators with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) are requiring Spectra Energy to perform more testing and take corrective actions on the remaining three lines. Although the cause of the explosion is still not 100% verified, it’s still thought to be corrosion around welded pipe joints, i.e. bad pipe tape…
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Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Lackawanna County | Lebanon County | Monroe County | Pennsylvania | Pipelines | Regulation | Transco | Williams

PA Game Commission Cuts ROW Deal with Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline
July 21, 2016July 21, 2016

Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline map – click for larger version

More progress for the Williams Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline project. Atlantic Sunrise is a $3 billion, 198-mile project running through 10 Pennsylvania counties to connect Marcellus Shale natural gas from PA with the Williams’ Transco pipeline in southern Lancaster County. It is a much-needed pipeline to move more Marcellus gas south, to new markets. The progress is this: the Pennsylvania Game Commission has cut a right-of-way deal to allow the pipeline to traverse game lands in northern Lebanon County–including a crossing of the Appalachian Trail. But have no fear, Williams plans to drill under the Trail and not disturb the surface. In return for the right to cross a few acres of certain state-owned game lands in Lebanon County, the state is picking up a whopping 285 acres owned by Williams in Monroe and Lackawanna counties…
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Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | New York | Pipelines | Regulation | Statewide NY | Williams

Constitution Pipeline Gets a Little (Court) Help from Its Friends
July 21, 2016July 21, 2016

Constitution Pipeline map – click for larger version

In perhaps the sleaziest of sleazy political moves, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo made the non-science-based political decision to deny the Constitution Pipeline stream crossing permits in April (see NY Gov. Cuomo Refuses to Grant Permits for Constitution Pipeline). The man is a menace to all New Yorkers. He caves to his radical, fringe left on a regular basis, as he did with his decision to deny the Constitution Pipeline. Williams, Cabot and the other partners in the project aren’t taking it laying down. They sued New York State in federal court with the very real possibility that the court will neuter NY’s decision-making role in the project (see Williams Sues NY Over Constitution Pipe – DEC May Lose Authority). The Constitution doesn’t stand alone. A number of national industry organizations are coming to the Constitution’s defense. On Tuesday the Natural Gas Supply Association (NGSA) and other groups together filed an amicus curiae brief with the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. “Amicus curiae” means “friend of the court” in Latin. The brief (full copy below) makes the point that states should not be the tail that wags the federal-oversight-of-such-projects dog. That is, the New York Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is preventing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) from doing its job. One government entity (especially a state) cannot block the power and authority of another government entity (in particular the federal government)…
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Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines | Regulation | Spectra Energy

Spectra’s Access Northeast Pipe Wins Important Approval in Maine
July 20, 2016July 20, 2016

Click for larger version

In July 2014 Spectra Energy unveiled plans to deliver an extra 1 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day to New England and beyond by expanding the existing Algonquin and Maritimes pipeline systems (see Spectra Energy to the Rescue! New England Pipeline Expansion). That project was eventually named the Access Northeast Project, a direct competitor to Kinder Morgan’s proposed Northeast Energy Direct (NED) project. In February of 2015 we observed and asked the question, is Spectra’s project pulling ahead of Kinder Morgan’s project (see Access Northeast Pipeline — Pulling Ahead of Kinder’s NED Project?). It was our observation at the time that Kinder Morgan’s project is mostly “greenfield”–meaning they have to dig new trenches and lay new pipe in places where no pipeline currently exists–was vehemently opposed by antis, while Spectra’s project which lays new loops of pipe next to existing pipes in existing trenches was opposed, but with less vehemence. It seems our observation was prescient, as Kinder later canceled its project (see NED is Dead – Kinder Morgan Suspends $3.3B New England Pipeline). Make no mistake, Spectra Energy still faces a steep uphill battle–but they are making progress. Evidence of that came yesterday when regulators in the state of Maine approved Spectra’s plan in their state. Or more accurately, they approved passing along some of the cost of Spectra’s proposed expansion to Maine electric rate payers, who would see far lower electric rates if the pipeline gets built (it will feed natgas-fired electric generating plants in the state)…
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Accidents | Butler County | Energy Companies | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Pipelines | Regulation | Rex Energy

PA DEP Fines Stonehenge $1.5M for Damaging 2 Butler County Swamps
July 19, 2016November 29, 2018

A year ago MDN told you about a new gathering pipeline project in Butler County, PA. Rex Energy contracted with Stonehenge Energy Resources to build a gathering system in Butler County (see Rex Energy Hires Stonehenge to Build Gathering Pipeline in PA). The new system got built last year and now provides Rex with an additional 400 million cubic feet per day of natural gas pipeline capacity. The Stonehenge gathering system delivers Rex’s gas to MarkWest Energy’s Bluestone processing plant. When Stonehenge built the pipeline, they had a few minor accidents. Some dirt slid down a hill into a creek. The creek empties into a couple of swamps. Ergo, some of the dirt got into the swamps. For that little mishap, Stonehenge has agreed to pay the PA Dept. of Environmental Protection a $1.5 million fine. DEP Acting Secretary Pat McDonnell called the minor mishaps “egregious and avoidable.” Whatever…
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | New York | Pipelines | Regulation | Statewide NY

FERC Rejects NY AG’s Anti-Constitution Pipeline Petition
July 18, 2016July 18, 2016

NY AG Eric Schneiderman – petition rejected by FERC

In May MDN told you about a sleazy political move by New York’s corrupt Attorney General, Eric Scheiderman, who petitioned the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to investigate Williams over the Constitution Pipeline, with a recommendation that FERC withdraw its approval of the project (see NY Attorney General Asks FERC to Investigate Constitution Pipe). Schneiderman claimed that Williams was cutting trees along the path of the pipeline before the state had issued stream crossing permits (which it decided not to do). We told you, in a follow-up story, that Schneiderman’s claims of premature tree cutting by Williams was a fraud (see NY AG’s Allegation of Tree Cutting by Constitution Pipe a Fraud). A Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin investigation found that some trees along the pipeline’s path in New York State had been cut–but not by Williams. The landowners themselves were cutting the trees in anticipation of the project–to profit from the sale of the timber. On Friday FERC officially responded to the corrupt Schneiderman’s petition by saying, in so many words, to stuff it…
Read More “FERC Rejects NY AG’s Anti-Constitution Pipeline Petition”
Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Lebanon County | Litigation | Pennsylvania | Pipelines | Statewide PA | Sunoco Logistics

Media Downplays Sunoco’s Huge Court Victory re Mariner East 2
July 18, 2016July 18, 2016

Last Friday MDN brought you the really big news that Sunoco Logistics Partners had won a major appeals court case that recognizes them as a public utility in Pennsylvania with the right to use eminent domain to build the Mariner East 2 NGL pipeline (see Sunoco LP Wins Major Court Decision for Mariner East 2 Pipeline). Although Big Green groups like the Philadelphia-based Clean Air Council are attempting to spin the decision as no big deal–it is a big deal, and they know it. So how does the Associated Press, in bed with Big Green, report the decision? This is their headline: “Sunoco clears 1 legal hurdle after pipeline project ruling.” Laughable! It’s more than one hurdle. Sunoco essentially put another 7 points on the board with 5 seconds left to play…
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Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | NGLs | Pipelines | Sunoco Logistics

Sunoco LP Wins Major Court Decision for Mariner East 2 Pipeline
July 15, 2016July 15, 2016

Seems like Sunoco Logistics Partners has been fighting in court for years to get the right to use eminent domain for it’s Mariner East 2 pipeline project. ME2 is a $2.5 billion, 350-mile natural gas liquids (NGL) pipeline that will run from eastern Ohio through the state of Pennsylvania to the Marcus Hook refinery near Philadelphia–carting ethane, butane and propane to the facility from both the Utica and Marcellus region, where it will be separated and sent on its way to destinations both domestic and international. Because the project technically crosses a state line, opponents have tried to state PA is not the proper government body to oversee it–it should come under the exclusive oversight of the federal government. However, Sunoco LP has maintained from the beginning that it is a public utility, properly regulated by the PA Public Utility Commission (PUC) and not the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The PUC has recognized Sunoco LP and its Mariner pipeline projects as public utilities, with the right to use eminent domain to condemn properties of holdout landowners in PA (see Major Milestone: PA PUC Rules Mariner East IS a Public Utility). However, the PUC’s authority and ME2’s right to use eminent domain was challenged in state Common Pleas Court in Cumberland County, which ruled in favor of Sunoco (see PA Judge Rejects Landowners’ Challenge to Mariner East 2 Pipeline). The judge’s ruling was appealed and now PA’s Commonwealth Court has also ruled in favor of Sunoco LP, saying that Mariner East 2 is regulated by both the PUC and FERC, and it has the right to use eminent domain…
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Industrywide Issues | Pipelines | Processing Plants | Regulation

Congress Approves Unmanned Drone Use in O&G Industry
July 15, 2016July 15, 2016

Look! Up in the air! It’s a bird…it’s a plane…it’s a,a,a,a…energy drone? Yep. Drones used to inspect pipelines, keep an eye on refineries, processing plants and compressor stations–drones used for just about anything related to the oil and gas industry–have just been approved by Congress. The oil and gas industry is delighted…
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Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Lancaster County | Lebanon County | Pennsylvania | Pipelines | Regulation | Transco | Williams

Interior Dept Chides FERC re Atlantic Sunrise Pipe, Bogus Concerns
July 14, 2016July 14, 2016

The Obamadroids are once again ganging up on the semi-independent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Last week the Obama Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) filed comments with FERC critical of the Williams/Transco Atlantic Sunrise pipeline project (see Federal EPA Continues to Fuss over Atlantic Sunrise Route in PA). This week it’s the Obama Dept. of Interior (DOI). The DOI has filed comments with FERC saying Atlantic Sunrise maybe/may/might cause a 2.5 second eyesore for people paddling down the Susquehanna River–they might see a nice grassy knoll where the pipeline runs instead of overgrown, spindly, dying trees instead. Because it’s an official “historic” stretch of river that Captain John Smith may have once traveled, that apparently means not a single tree branch can ever be pruned along the river bank. What a load…
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