Defective pipe slows Boardwalk operations

HOUSTON – A few defective pipe joints are reportedly slowing operation of the Boardwalk pipeline system.
Boardwalk is reportedly engaged in the ongoing replacement of several sections of pipe in new projects that were determined to have anomalies following hydrostatic tests.
The problem of slight expansions of the pipe occurred in less than one percent of Boardwalk's new pipe joints, but was spread throughout the new projects.
The anomalies made necessary reduction in operating pressure and also shutting down sections for temporary intervals to replace affected segments.
As a result, revenues and cash flows are considerably lower than anticipated. Boardwalk has been working with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and expects to obtain permission to increase pressure to the normal operating level of 72 percent of SMYS in each project following the replacement of the defective sections. PHMSA will then decide about granting Boardwalk a waiver to operate at the increased 80 percent operating pressure as originally planned.

Enterprise, Duncan announce completion of Sherman Extension

Enterprise Products Partners L.P. and Duncan Energy Partners L.P. on March 23 announced that construction has been completed on the 174-mile Sherman Extension expansion of the Enterprise Texas Intrastate natural gas pipeline system which extends through the heart of the prolific Barnett Shale play of North Texas.
Current throughput on the Sherman Extension is approximately 360 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) and is expected to reach about 950 MMcf/d during April 2009, as the remainder of the system’s 48,000 horsepower of compression is brought on line.
The 36-inch diameter pipeline originates at a delivery point on the partnerships’ Texas Intrastate natural gas pipeline system near Morgan Mill, Texas, southwest of Fort Worth, and extends northward to an interconnect with Boardwalk Pipeline Partners L.P.’s Gulf Crossing pipeline near Sherman, Texas.
The completion of the Sherman Extension adds 1.1 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of incremental takeaway capacity from the region, while providing producers in the Barnett Shale and as far away as the Waha area of West Texas with greater flexibility to reach the most attractive markets, particularly those in the Northeast and Southeast areas of the country.
Current natural gas production from the Barnett Shale is approximately four Bcf/d and is projected to surpass six Bcf/d by 2011.