Efforts

With efforts by pipelines and state regulators, the Pipeline and Hazardous Safety Administration (PHMSA) said it anticipates a significant reduction in pipeline-related deaths or major injuries over the next four years.

South Jersey Energy has bought the retail marketing book of Pennsylvania customers from CenterPoint Energy Services, acquiring “a strong book of business that fits well with its northeast footprint,” South Jersey said. The more than 1,000 commercial and industrial customers acquired are primarily retail natural gas sales within the utility service areas of UGI, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, PECO Energy and Equitable.”This sale was made possible by significant changes in Pennsylvania’s competitive landscape,” South Jersey said. “Natural gas production in the Marcellus Shale has expanded dramatically, and the state’s electricity market is fully deregulated. This market supports [parent company South Jersey’s Industries’] existing wholesale gas sales efforts in the Marcellus Shale.”

Houston midstream operator Eagle Rock Energy Partners LP on Friday agreed to pay BP America Production Co. $227.5 million in cash for the BP Panhandle System, which includes two natural gas processing plants and a 2,500-mile gas gathering pipeline system. Eagle Rock also would take over BP’s gas processing in the area under a 20-year agreement.

House and Senate Republicans last week stepped up efforts to pass legislation proposing more lease sales on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) during 2012-2017, but the action may turn out to be more show, given that the odds of legislation being voted out by both houses of Congress this session are slim.

Chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing (fracking) have attracted the most attention from people wary of the well stimulation practice, but water consumption is another worry of fracking skeptics, as evidenced by to two recent reports.

Three states last week stepped on the (natural) gas to accelerate efforts to increase the use of the alternative fuel in vehicles. New Jersey regulators approved a $10 million pilot program; West Virginia’s governor established a statewide task force; and hydrocarbon-rich Oklahoma’s regulators approved a rebate program for natural gas vehicle (NGV) customers.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), who has been at the forefront of the chamber’s efforts to address cyber vulnerabilities involving the nation’s critical infrastructure, sent a letter to the American Gas Association (AGA) Thursday expressing concern about a recent report that said AGA-developed standards to protect data transmitted by control systems were abandoned because of the costs.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), who has been at the forefront of the chamber’s efforts to address cyber vulnerabilities involving the nation’s critical infrastructure, sent a letter to the American Gas Association (AGA) Thursday expressing concern about a recent report that AGA-developed standards to protect data transmitted by control systems from attacks were abandoned because of the costs.

The natural gas industry, from production fields to distribution utilities, is beginning to ramp up efforts to smooth the road to greater use of natural gas as a transportation fuel, according to Encana Corp. Vice President David Hill. He talked to NGI Tuesday at the opening of the Alternative Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Long Beach, CA.