Collaboration

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shale gas well hydraulic fracturing (fracking) operations are significantly lower than previously estimated, according to a study by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) and a Silicon Valley maker of measurement instruments, Picarro Inc., have expanded their collaboration on a technology for detecting natural gas pipeline leaks. PG&E will deploy six of the vehicle-mounted Picarro Surveyor gas leak detectors. PG&E said it is the first utility in the nation to use the new technology (see Daily GPI, Feb. 3). Picarro and PG&E contend that the leak detection equipment is 1,000 times more sensitive than traditional leak detection equipment with capability to detect leaks down to one part-per-billion in ambient air while reducing false positives from naturally occurring methane.

Even with more cooperation between state and federal officials in the testing of ground water in Pavillion, Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead said Tuesday that unilateral actions by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are raising concerns.

As part of a nationwide effort spurred by a bipartisan collaboration of governors, U.S. auto manufacturers were in Oklahoma last week to learn more about recently issued multi-state request for proposals (RFP) for supplying natural gas vehicles (NGV) to bolster state fleets.

As part of a nationwide effort spurred by a bipartisan collaboration of governors, U.S. auto manufacturers came to Oklahoma Wednesday to learn more about recently issued multi-state request for proposals (RFP) for supplying natural gas vehicles (NGV) to bolster state fleets.

One day after Shell Oil Co. launched a public relations campaign to showcase its onshore natural gas drilling efforts, ExxonMobil Corp. on Thursday unveiled a website to “give context to the growth of natural gas resources in the United States.”

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is being examined as an alternative fuel to diesel for locomotive engines by a collaboration of Canadian National Railway (CN), Westport Innovations and Gaz Metro Transportation Solutions (GMTS). They are seeking to develop a prototype LNG engine for locomotives by 2013. The project has obtained a $2.4 million grant from the Canadian government-backed Sustainable Development Technology Canada, a nonprofit that finances development of clean technologies. The project initially will concentrate on an LNG system for locomotives, both in plant and field settings. GMTS will provide LNG and fuel supply logistical expertise while CN will provide the locomotive expertise, the partners said.

A new website that provides a list of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing is already becoming popular after its launch on Monday.

In a collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), NiSource Inc. is working on a blanket federal permit that would allow it to operate and maintain its nationwide natural gas pipeline system and bypass case-by-case reviews that fall under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).