Pipelines

Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Kinder Morgan | Pipelines | Tennessee Gas Pipeline

Anti-Pipeline Loons March on Concord Today – Play the Bagpipes!
December 11, 2015December 10, 2015

Break out the bagpipes! It’s time to get blasted and stumble down the streets of Concord, New Hampshire to show your love of Mother Earth and that you object to that evil, vile Northeast Energy Direct (NED) pipeline that will bring carbon-reducing, clean-burning, fracked natural gas to the Granite State. Protesters will assemble at the corner of Storrs and Theatre Street in Concord at 10:00 am this morning, and then stumble along for a half-mile while (no lie) bagpipers and drummers play. The goal–if they make it that far–is the State House where a bunch of “dignitaries” will deliver hate speeches against natural gas and pipelines and Big Oil and Gas and Satan and Donald Trump and whatever else they feel like railing against. Should be a real fun time…
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines | Regulation

FERC Confirms “Intervenors” Slowing Down Pipeline Approvals
December 11, 2015December 10, 2015

As we’ve previously warned, anti-fossil fuel kooks are being effective in slowing down new pipeline projects by using a sleazy strategy of individually filing as “intervenors” in pipeline applications. An intervenor is supposed to be someone with a legitimate interest in a project who wants to provide data, information, opinion–and also someone (typically a group) that should be kept informed each step of the way what is happening with a pipeline application. Intervenors are usually towns, utility companies, large businesses, etc. In a scam and abuse of the system, antis are attempting to get all of their crazy followers–including children–to register as intervenors (see Delaware Riverkeeper Scams FERC in Review of PennEast Pipeline and Coordinated Attack? MassPLAN Uses Riverkeeper Pipeline Delay Tactic). It overloads the FERC system and slows down the approval process. Want proof? It comes directly from the mouth of a sitting FERC commissioner, Tony Clark…
Read More “FERC Confirms “Intervenors” Slowing Down Pipeline Approvals”
Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Kinder Morgan | New York | Pipelines | Regulation | Schoharie County | Tennessee Gas Pipeline

TGP Gets FERC Pushback on Need for 2 NED Compressor Stations in NY
December 11, 2015December 10, 2015

Kinder Morgan and their Tennessee Gas Pipeline (TGP) subsidiary have gotten some pushback from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) over their planned Northeast Energy Direct pipeline plans in Schoharie County, NY. Kinder’s plans call for two different portions of the NED project–the Supply Path portion that comes from the gas fields of northeastern Pennsylvania to Schoharie County, and the Market Path portion that goes from Schoharie County into Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and back into Mass. near Boston. The two different pipelines in Schoharie will use two different compressor stations under Kinder’s existing plan. FERC wants to know why they cant’ be combined into a single compressor station to reduce footprint. FERC is giving Kinder 20 days to respond…
Read More “TGP Gets FERC Pushback on Need for 2 NED Compressor Stations in NY”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines

Spoiled Rotten Kids Disrupt Paris Climate Conf over Fracked Gas
December 10, 2015December 10, 2015

The United Nations COP21 Climate Conference in Paris is attracting some of the craziest of the climate crazies. And they’re from the northeast, no less! A group of college kids–know-nothings–interrupted a panel discussion that included Vermont’s Democrat Governor Peter Shumlin because, they say, the guv is supporting a pipeline that will bring “fracked gas” to the state. We call them clinically insane. If they knew how many pipelines already exist beneath Vermont soil that flow natural gas, we expect they would have an aneurysm. During the panel two of the know-nothings stood up and unfurled a big banner that said Fracked Gas = Climate Change, complete with a kindergartenish drawing that depicts fractures reaching up into the water table (which doesn’t happen–ever). In our day and age of blaming your asinine actions on your parents, or your teachers, or even on cartoons–we’ll blame it on the cartoons. We expect these kids grew up watching Captain Planet on Saturday mornings and believed it hook, line and sinker. Here’s the story of spoiled rotten kids behaving like…spoiled rotten kids….
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines | Spectra Energy

FANG Protesters Strike RI Compressor Station Again, 8 Arrested
December 7, 2015December 7, 2015

Just like a bad case of gout that keeps returning, or perhaps more relevantly like a flareup of herpes, radical protesters keep using illegal actions to oppose the expansion of a compressor station in Rhode Island–Spectra Energy’s Burrillville, RI compressor station. They used illegal actions in August (see FANG Protesters Chain Themselves to RI Compressor Station Gate). They did it again in September (see FANG Protesters Strike RI Compressor Station Again, 3 Arrested). And they did it yet again this past weekend. This time eight protesters were arrested, including a nun who has forsaken her first love, Jesus, and replaced Him with worship of Mother Earth. The protesters illegally trespassed on Spectra’s property and were arrested and removed. Once again, the protest was organized by the threatening-sounding group that calls itself FANG (yes, that is their logo, not something we made up)…
Read More “FANG Protesters Strike RI Compressor Station Again, 8 Arrested”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | PennEast Pipeline | Pipelines | Regulation

PennEast: The Long, Careful, Deliberate Road to Pipeline Approval
December 4, 2015December 4, 2015

The latest theme/meme being pedaled by groups like THE Delaware Riverkeeper (Maya van Rossum) and other anti-fossil fuel groups is that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is just a big ole rubber stamp for Big Oil and Big Gas. FERC, they say, never met a pipeline project they didn’t approve. FERC is in the back pocket of the fossil fuel industry. Yada yada yada. Some of the crazier of the crazies took to attending open FERC meetings in Washington, DC and disrupting those meetings (see FERC Clears the Room at DC HQ After Riff Raff Start Mouthing Off). Once they were banned from attending, they began to illegally block entrance to the building (see 24 Anti-Drilling Protesters Arrested by Homeland Security in DC). FERC has been made a kindergartenish bogyman by those who oppose pipelines. To counter some of the nonsense pedaled by these groups (and their willing accomplices in the media), PennEast Pipeline recently published an article to set the record straight. FERC doesn’t simply rubber stamp a pipeline application like PennEast’s–a pipeline proposed to run from Wilkes-Barre, PA to Trenton, NJ. PennEast faces a “gauntlet of approvals”–including 11 federal, state and local agencies that must approve thousands of pages of plans, much of it stringent safety requirements. Approving a pipeline is an intense, detailed, and LONG process in which no stone is left unturned. There is no rubber stamp except in the childish minds of irrational anti-fossil fuelers…
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Industrywide Issues | Pipelines | Research

Top 20 NatGas Pipelines in 2015 – Ranked by Traded Volume
December 3, 2015December 3, 2015

The amazing thing about this wonderful industry we’re in–the fossil fuel energy industry–is that you learn something new every day. Like there’s a service called the Capacity Center (CapacityCenter.com) that tracks flows of physical natural gas in every interstate pipeline in the U.S. Each year (for the eighth year running) the Capacity Center issues a report detailing the Top 20 Traders (buyers and sellers) of natural gas along those pipelines, and the Top 20 Pipelines by volume of natural gas flowing through the pipeline. We’re intrigued–particularly by the Top 20 pipelines, because a number of them operate in the Marcellus/Utica region. Below is the full Capacity Center Top 20 Capacity Traders & Top 20 Pipelines Report for 2015. If you’re like us, you’ll dig it too…
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Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Kinder Morgan | Pipelines

Kinder Morgan Steps Up Marcellus/Utica Investment with NGPL Buyout
December 2, 2015December 2, 2015

On Monday the largest pipeline company in the United States, Kinder Morgan, and their partner Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, announced a deal to buy out a third partner in the Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America (NGPL). When the deal is done, both Kinder Morgan and Brookfield will each own 50% of NGPL, although Kinder is the pipeline operator. NGPL, in case you haven’t heard of it, is a huge interstate pipeline system located in the Midwest and southwest. (See a copy of Kinder Morgan’s pipeline systems map below. The dark green lines represent NGPL.) So why is the NGPL buyout in the Midwest/southwest a Marcellus/Utica story? Because NGPL is currently building an expansion in the Chicago area, appropriately called the Chicago Market Expansion Project. That expansion will carry gas coming into the NGPL pipeline where it intersects with the Rockies Express (REX) pipeline in in Moultrie County, Illinois northward into the Chicago area. REX recently reversed its flow and now carries Marcellus/Utica gas to Moultrie—meaning more Marcellus/Utica gas will be flowing to the Chicago area starting in 2016 when the Expansion Project is put into service (see 1.8 Bcf/d of Marcellus/Utica Gas Heads West on REX Starting Aug 1). A little over two months ago Kinder Morgan announced they would reverse the flow for part of NGPL and begin sending northeast gas south, to the Gulf Coast (see Marcellus/Utica Gas Heading to TX LNG Export Plant…in 2018), meaning gas arriving at Moultrie will not only go north, it eventually will go south too. So the NGPL purchase is very much about the Marcellus/Utica…
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Commodity Price | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines

Shale Gas Faces Double Trouble: Low Prices & Pipeline Opposition
December 1, 2015December 1, 2015

According to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), the natural gas industry faces a double “new normal” that hobbles the industry: (1) low prices for natural gas for the foreseeable future, and (2) public opposition to pipeline expansion, especially in New England. Here’s what IEEFA’s executive director, Sandy Buchanan, says about this double threat to our beloved industry…
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Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | NEXUS Pipeline | Ohio | Pipelines | Spectra Energy | Statewide OH

Jimmy Stewart Makes the Case for NEXUS Gas Pipeline in Ohio
December 1, 2015December 1, 2015

Jimmy Stewart, president OGA

Jimmy Stewart (no, not that one, another one!) is the former Majority Leader of the Ohio Senate. After his days in the Senate, Stewart joined the Ohio Gas Association as its President. Perhaps feeling the need to push back against the steady drumbeat of negativity coming from anti-frackers who also oppose pipelines in the Buckeye State, Stewart wrote a powerful guest column for the Cleveland Plain Dealer to make the case for major new natural gas pipelines in general, and to make the case for Spectra Energy’s NEXUS Gas Transmission pipeline in particular. Here is that powerful column…
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Pipelines | Statewide PA

Natural Gas is Killing City Trees! Tree Whisperer Tells All
November 30, 2015November 30, 2015

Here’s one more reason to dump evil, nasty, rotten fossil fuels–like natural gas. It kills trees. Yes, methane is a TREE KILLER. Who knew? In yet another laughable “all fossil fuels are evil” meme from the usual suspects at the Democrat house organ called StateImpact Pennsylvania, we get the latest anti-fossil fuel story about how methane leaks in cities are killing poor, defenseless trees that can’t stand up to that nasty bully, fugitive methane. Seems there’s a good business to be had being a tree whisperer…
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Kinder Morgan | Pipelines | Tennessee Gas Pipeline

Susan Sarandon Supports Anti-Pipeline Movement in Massachusetts
November 25, 2015November 25, 2015

What do Hollywood celebrities do to boost a sagging career? Celebrities who were once “A” list but have sunk to “B” and “C” list status? Celebrities like Mark Ruffalo and Susan Sarandon found notoriety in supporting the anti-fracking movement. But the problem with “success” when it comes to anti-fracking (a la New York’s ban), is that once you’ve won, what do you do then? You see, antis like Ruffalo and Sarandon always need another bogyman–another “cause” to inject (a) notoriety, and (b) meaning into their otherwise meaningless lives. Like a junkie who needs another fix, these people need to be in the news, their face and name plastered everywhere, or they don’t think anyone “loves” them anymore. It’s a shame what depths they sink to, really. At least Sarandon has talent–Ruffalo has no talent. Sarandon (or more properly, her agent) has (surprise!) found a new cause to promote–time to prop up that sagging career. Sarandon has thrown in her lot with the crazies opposing the Kinder Morgan’s Northeast Energy Direct (NED) pipeline project–the massive $5 billion expansion of the Tennessee Gas Pipeline system from Pennsylvania into New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and back into Massachusetts where it will end near Boston. Sarandon recently issued a statement through the Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust, whose director, Leigh Youngblood, has been at the forefront of opposing any new pipelines in the Bay State…
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Industrywide Issues | Pipelines | Research

ScottMadden Report: Getting Marcellus/Utica Gas to Market
November 24, 2015November 24, 2015

ScottMadden, Inc., a top energy consulting firm, recently released the latest edition of their twice-per-year report called The Energy Industry Update. The current report, titled “Strange Brew: Adapting to Changing Fundamentals” (full copy below), offers insights into major events and emerging trends in the energy industry. This particular edition takes a close look at the natural gas industry–in particular how ever-increasing gas resources can find adequate infrastructure to make their way to market. We really like this report, for a couple of reasons. First, it gives you the wider context. Natural gas (and oil) doesn’t exist on its own. It is part of a complex tapestry of energy options and needs to be viewed that way. This report helps contextualize natural gas–helps you see the natgas puzzle piece in the larger energy puzzle. Second, we like the deep dive they do on natural gas. Not so long ago the estimates were that with shale gas in the U.S.–particularly in the Marcellus/Utica–we have a “100 year supply” of natural gas. Now? That number has risen to 140 years of supply. And it keeps growing. The report looks at rig counts and well productivity, pipelines that are (or will) move gas from the northeast to other markets, regulations and more. Take time to read it!…
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Industrywide Issues | New York | Pipelines | Regulation | Statewide NY

Will Pilgrim Pipeline be Allowed to Settle in the NY World?
November 24, 2015November 24, 2015

Pilgrim Pipeline Holdings is developing an East Coast pipeline to carry refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, heating oil, and jet and aviation fuel northbound from Linden, New Jersey to Albany, New York (178 miles). In addition, a second pipeline will carry crude oil from Albany south to NJ and other locations. Two pipelines, side by side, liquids flowing through them in different directions. Pilgrim (how apropos this announcement comes at Thanksgiving) has just filed an official application with the Thruway Authority. Their plan is to lay 79% of the pipeline within the Thruway right of way. No, technically this is not a Marcellus/Utica story–although some of the crude they plan to flow from Albany to NJ refineries may indeed come from the Marcellus/Utica. It’s a pipeline for fossil fuels and that will surely bring the crazies right out of the woodwork, which is why we bring you this story…
Read More “Will Pilgrim Pipeline be Allowed to Settle in the NY World?”
Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Michigan | NEXUS Pipeline | Ohio | Pipelines | Regulation | Spectra Energy | Statewide MI | Statewide OH

Spectra Energy Files Formal FERC Application for NEXUS Pipeline
November 23, 2015November 23, 2015

Pop the cork on the champagne bottle! Last Friday Spectra Energy and its partners filed their full, formal application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to get the federal agency’s approval for the NEXUS Gas Transmission pipeline project. The NEXUS is a $2 billion, 255-mile interstate pipeline that will run from Ohio through Michigan and eventually to the Dawn Hub in Ontario, Canada. It is a critically needed pipeline to move Utica and Marcellus Shale gas from an over-saturated market in the northeast to markets in the Midwest and Canada. Below is the official good news press release from Spectra Energy announcing the filing…
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Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Kinder Morgan | Pipelines | Regulation | Tennessee Gas Pipeline

Kinder Morgan Files Formal FERC Application for NED Pipeline
November 23, 2015November 23, 2015

Friday was a big day for pipelines in the Marcellus/Utica. Spectra Energy filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to build the NEXUS Gas Transmission pipeline (see our companion story today). In addition, Kinder Morgan filed their formal application with FERC to build the massive $5 billion expansion of the Tennessee Gas Pipeline system from Pennsylvania into New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and back into Massachusetts where it will end near Boston–called the Northeast Energy Direct (NED) project. All pipeline projects face irrational opposition, but the NED project faces some of the fiercest opposition, including an anti-fossil fuel crusade against NED by the Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey (see Anti-Drilling MA Attorney General: We Don’t Need No Pipelines). The battle is about to reach fevered pitch now that Kinder Morgan has filed the official application…
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