Distribution

Local distribution company (LDC) and large industrial gas consumers have learned a lot over the years about managing their assets more efficiently from gas marketing companies, but the shale boom has created a new challenge.

Local distribution company (LDC) and large industrial gas consumers have learned a lot over the years about managing their assets more efficiently from gas marketing companies, but the shale boom has created a new challenge.

Lone Star NGL LLC — a venture of Energy Transfer Partners LP (ETP) and Regency Energy Partners LP — plans to construct a 530-mile natural gas liquids (NGL) pipeline from Winkler County in West Texas to the Jackson County processing plant in Jackson County, TX.

Although subject to working through some still sticky post-earthquake parts distribution challenges, American Honda Motor Co. on Monday indicated that it still plans a nationwide sales push in the United States late this year for the latest version of its compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered Civic GX model.

As U.S. gas production grows, local distribution utilities that once might have been skeptical about the strong supply outlook from shale plays now look like wallflowers lingering in the spot market, reluctant to strike long-term supply deals until there’s more clarity on price direction.

Enbridge Energy Partners LP (EEP) plans to invest $175 million to expand its East Texas system to provide gathering, treating and transmission services for several major gas producers on the Texas side of the Haynesville Shale, the Houston-based partnership said Thursday.

As U.S. gas production grows, local distribution utilities that once might have been skeptical about the strong supply outlook from shale plays now look like wallflowers lingering in the spot market, reluctant to strike long-term supply deals until there’s more clarity on price direction.

Oregon regulators on Thursday approved an all-parties settlement for Portland, OR-based NW Natural, allowing the natural gas distribution utility to proceed with its joint venture to develop gas reserves with a U.S. subsidiary of Calgary-based Encana Corp. (see Daily GPI, April 21).

Given recent incidents involving old cast iron distribution pipeline failures, the odds are growing that some form of pipeline safety legislation could emerge from Congress later this year, some industry sources told NGI last week. Following the Allentown tragedy earlier this month (see related story), the Pennsylvania State Senate is also looking into ways to improve pipeline safety as Marcellus Shale development within the state continues to ramp up.