JACKSONVILLE, Texas – Wilbros began work in March on a 143-mile Energy Transfer Partners’ natural gas pipeline that passes through northern Cherokee County on its way to Minden, Texas, from Maypearl, Texas.
Officials with Willbros Group, the construction company building the pipeline, have said they will employ as many as 1,200 workers at its peak.
At least two union groups have been picketing Willbros Group’s local headquarters in protest of the company’s hiring practices.
“We’ve been picketed at several locations over the years,” said Harry New, Wilbros project director for the natural gas pipeline.
New said some of the reasons the Texas picket line formed aren’t true –specifically, allegations concerning the company’s employment pools and pay scales.
“All the people we hire are legal to work in the U.S.,” New said. “We’ve also implemented a 401K and offer benefits. It’s up to the employee to elect to take advantage of them.”
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Wet spring slows TransCanada Keystone construction in South Dakota
ABERDEEN, S.D. - The resumption of work on the TransCanada oil pipeline in northeast South Dakota has been delayed because of an exceptionally wet spring.
The prime contractor says many fields are too wet and some roads have load limits so it's impossible to get heavy equipment to rural sites.
The pipeline will carry crude oil from Canada through 10 counties in eastern South Dakota and on to refineries in Illinois and Oklahoma.
Some pipeline such as at stream crossings was buried in the northeast part of the state last year before crews quit for winter.
TransCanada spokesman Jeff Rauh says in spite of the delay this spring, the line should be operational by late this year.
The prime contractor says many fields are too wet and some roads have load limits so it's impossible to get heavy equipment to rural sites.
The pipeline will carry crude oil from Canada through 10 counties in eastern South Dakota and on to refineries in Illinois and Oklahoma.
Some pipeline such as at stream crossings was buried in the northeast part of the state last year before crews quit for winter.
TransCanada spokesman Jeff Rauh says in spite of the delay this spring, the line should be operational by late this year.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Three workers killed in TEPPCO tank farm explosion in Arkansas
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Three men killed when vapors in a gasoline storage
tank exploded in north Arkansas likely died from the impact of the
blast, a coroner said on May 13.
Federal safety officials began their investigation into the blast at the
TEPPCO Partners LP facility near Searcy in earnest on May 13. They were trying to determine what killed the contract workers from Indiana.
Meanwhile, Arkansas officials acknowledged the tank fell outside of any state oversight and last underwent an internal inspection by federal authorities more than a decade ago.
White County Coroner David Powell told The Associated Press that rescuers recovered the workers' bodies outside of the crumpled storage tank after the explosion on May 12. Powell said the men's bodies bore no signs of being scorched by flames.
"There was no indication of fire. It was an explosion," Powell said. "The injuries were simply caused from the concussion of the explosion."
All three men worked for C and C Welding of Elizabethtown, Ky. Powell identified the dead as William Decker, 48, of Scottsburg, Ind.; Roy Mathis, 60, of Wheatfield, Ind.; and Stoney Powell, 45, also of Wheatfield.
Powell said the workers' bodies had been sent to the state Crime Laboratory in Little Rock for autopsies.
tank exploded in north Arkansas likely died from the impact of the
blast, a coroner said on May 13.
Federal safety officials began their investigation into the blast at the
TEPPCO Partners LP facility near Searcy in earnest on May 13. They were trying to determine what killed the contract workers from Indiana.
Meanwhile, Arkansas officials acknowledged the tank fell outside of any state oversight and last underwent an internal inspection by federal authorities more than a decade ago.
White County Coroner David Powell told The Associated Press that rescuers recovered the workers' bodies outside of the crumpled storage tank after the explosion on May 12. Powell said the men's bodies bore no signs of being scorched by flames.
"There was no indication of fire. It was an explosion," Powell said. "The injuries were simply caused from the concussion of the explosion."
All three men worked for C and C Welding of Elizabethtown, Ky. Powell identified the dead as William Decker, 48, of Scottsburg, Ind.; Roy Mathis, 60, of Wheatfield, Ind.; and Stoney Powell, 45, also of Wheatfield.
Powell said the workers' bodies had been sent to the state Crime Laboratory in Little Rock for autopsies.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Nabucco deal to be signed in Ankara on June 25
ANKARA - The European Union and Turkey have struck a ground-breaking gas pipeline deal, according to senior EU officials.
The agreement, to be signed in Ankara on June25, represents a major boost to the EU's proposed Nabucco pipeline project, which is to transport natural gas to Europe from central Asia, the Caucasus and the Middle East.
"This is a complete breakthrough," said a senior EU official involved in the tough negotiations with Turkey. "The Turks have accepted our terms. There is no conditionality."
The €9 billion Nabucco project is at the center of a contest pitting Russia against the EU and involving Turkey, Germany, Austria, Azerbaijan and the authoritarian regimes of central Asia in the effort to secure Europe's gas needs while curbing the hold Moscow and the gas monopoly Gazprom have over the supply lines. Nabucco, to stretch more than 2,000 miles from Turkey's eastern border to Europe's main gas hub outside Vienna, would be the main route for pumping gas to Europe not controlled by Gazprom.
The plan to build Nabucco faltered over a deadlock between the EU and Turkey over the pipeline transit agreement. More than half the pipeline is to be located in Turkey, making it the gatekeeper of Europe's energy supplies.
Ankara has been driving a hard bargain, insisting on collecting a "tax" on the gas being pumped and demanding 15 percent of the transit gas at discounted prices. This, say EU officials and the six-company consortium that is to build and run the pipeline, would render Nabucco financially unviable.
The stalemate was broken at a summit in Prague on May 8 between the EU and the countries involved. "The 15 percent demand has gone," Andris Piebalgs, the EU commissioner for energy, told the Guardian. "We've agreed on cost-based transit. We're very close to a conclusion."
The agreement, to be signed in Ankara on June25, represents a major boost to the EU's proposed Nabucco pipeline project, which is to transport natural gas to Europe from central Asia, the Caucasus and the Middle East.
"This is a complete breakthrough," said a senior EU official involved in the tough negotiations with Turkey. "The Turks have accepted our terms. There is no conditionality."
The €9 billion Nabucco project is at the center of a contest pitting Russia against the EU and involving Turkey, Germany, Austria, Azerbaijan and the authoritarian regimes of central Asia in the effort to secure Europe's gas needs while curbing the hold Moscow and the gas monopoly Gazprom have over the supply lines. Nabucco, to stretch more than 2,000 miles from Turkey's eastern border to Europe's main gas hub outside Vienna, would be the main route for pumping gas to Europe not controlled by Gazprom.
The plan to build Nabucco faltered over a deadlock between the EU and Turkey over the pipeline transit agreement. More than half the pipeline is to be located in Turkey, making it the gatekeeper of Europe's energy supplies.
Ankara has been driving a hard bargain, insisting on collecting a "tax" on the gas being pumped and demanding 15 percent of the transit gas at discounted prices. This, say EU officials and the six-company consortium that is to build and run the pipeline, would render Nabucco financially unviable.
The stalemate was broken at a summit in Prague on May 8 between the EU and the countries involved. "The 15 percent demand has gone," Andris Piebalgs, the EU commissioner for energy, told the Guardian. "We've agreed on cost-based transit. We're very close to a conclusion."
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Drop in natural gas price slows Marcellus shale development
The recession-induced decline in the price of natural gas has slowed development of Marcellus shale deposits in Pennsylvania, but development is expected to accelerate once prices pick up in 2010.
Virtually all of the Marcellus wells are still in the exploratory stage, with only one in southwestern Pennsylvania sending gas into a production pipeline.
The 365 million-year-old layer of rock that contains the gas underlies 54 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties. The rock is believed to hold 363 trillion cubic feet of natural gas worth $1 trillion. By some calculations, 10 percent of that could supply all the gas needs of the United States for two years.
More efficient and economical methods of drilling have allowed exploration at depths of 5,000 to 8,000 feet that were previously out of reach.
Close to 30 drilling companies have set up operations in the commonwealth, snapping up drilling rights on tens of thousands of acres of land
The state is on track to issue a record number of Marcellus permits this year. From Jan. 1 through April 17, the Department of Environmental Protection has issued 2,028 drilling permits, 394 of which are specifically for exploration of the Marcellus shale.
Virtually all of the Marcellus wells are still in the exploratory stage, with only one in southwestern Pennsylvania sending gas into a production pipeline.
The 365 million-year-old layer of rock that contains the gas underlies 54 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties. The rock is believed to hold 363 trillion cubic feet of natural gas worth $1 trillion. By some calculations, 10 percent of that could supply all the gas needs of the United States for two years.
More efficient and economical methods of drilling have allowed exploration at depths of 5,000 to 8,000 feet that were previously out of reach.
Close to 30 drilling companies have set up operations in the commonwealth, snapping up drilling rights on tens of thousands of acres of land
The state is on track to issue a record number of Marcellus permits this year. From Jan. 1 through April 17, the Department of Environmental Protection has issued 2,028 drilling permits, 394 of which are specifically for exploration of the Marcellus shale.
TransCanada awarded contract to build Guadalajara pipeline in Mexico
CALGARY, Alta. - TransCanada Corp. has been awarded a contract to build, own and operate a US$320 million pipeline in Mexico. The project is supported by a 25-year contract for its entire capacity with Comision Federal de Electricidad (CFE), Mexico’s state-owned electric company.
The proposed Guadalajara Pipeline will follow a 193-mile route from a liquefied natural gas terminal under construction near Manzanillo on Mexico’s Pacific Coast to Guadalajara, the second largest city in Mexico. The 30-inch pipeline will be capable of transporting 500 million cubic feet a day (MMcf/d) of natural gas. The majority of the capital expenditures are expected to be made in 2010 with a targeted in-service date of March 2011.
“The Guadalajara Pipeline project builds on TransCanada’s excellent working relationship with CFE,” said Hal Kvisle, TransCanada president and chief executive officer. “With Mexico’s growing reliance on natural gas and TransCanada’s proven success in building, owning and operating Mexican pipelines, the Guadalajara Pipeline offers an excellent opportunity for TransCanada to expand its footprint in Mexico.”
The proposed Guadalajara Pipeline will follow a 193-mile route from a liquefied natural gas terminal under construction near Manzanillo on Mexico’s Pacific Coast to Guadalajara, the second largest city in Mexico. The 30-inch pipeline will be capable of transporting 500 million cubic feet a day (MMcf/d) of natural gas. The majority of the capital expenditures are expected to be made in 2010 with a targeted in-service date of March 2011.
“The Guadalajara Pipeline project builds on TransCanada’s excellent working relationship with CFE,” said Hal Kvisle, TransCanada president and chief executive officer. “With Mexico’s growing reliance on natural gas and TransCanada’s proven success in building, owning and operating Mexican pipelines, the Guadalajara Pipeline offers an excellent opportunity for TransCanada to expand its footprint in Mexico.”
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Third-party damage blamed for gas pipeline rupture in Wisconsin
ARKANSAW, Wis. - A May 6 rupture in a Northern Natural Gas pipeline here has been blamed on third-party damage.
First responders evacuated homes within a one-half mile radius, affecting approximately 25 residences. Responders also blocked roads near the accident. There was no fire or explosion and there are no known injuries.
Northern dispatched trained crews to the scene who implemented a plan to safely make repairs on the line. Until repairs were completed, Northern asked local gas distribution companies to conserve as much gas as possible
Repair crews finished their work on May 7. Mike Loeffler of Northern Natural Gas said everyone who was evacuated in the area was back at home by 4:30 a.m. May 7.
The Pepin County Sheriff said a farm employee was dragging a scraper behind a tractor when he hit the pipeline.
First responders evacuated homes within a one-half mile radius, affecting approximately 25 residences. Responders also blocked roads near the accident. There was no fire or explosion and there are no known injuries.
Northern dispatched trained crews to the scene who implemented a plan to safely make repairs on the line. Until repairs were completed, Northern asked local gas distribution companies to conserve as much gas as possible
Repair crews finished their work on May 7. Mike Loeffler of Northern Natural Gas said everyone who was evacuated in the area was back at home by 4:30 a.m. May 7.
The Pepin County Sheriff said a farm employee was dragging a scraper behind a tractor when he hit the pipeline.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)