Experienced

Executives at drilling and pressure pumping contractor Patterson-UTI Energy Inc. have experienced a seasonal slowdown in the northeastern U.S. energy patch, they told financial analysts during an earnings conference call.

Tennessee Gas Pipeline (TGP) experienced a rupture and explosion at about 8:45 a.m. EST Wednesday in a rural part of southeastern Ohio. One person was treated for respiratory symptoms and two structures were damaged.

In the midst of a year-long battle regarding large-diameter transmission pipelines, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) in late August experienced leaks and a resulting fire in its two-inch diameter plastic distribution main. Then last Thursday California regulators rejected the combination utility’s proposed plan for raising the pressures on some of its transmission pipelines.

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) experienced leaks and a resulting fire in its two-inch diameter plastic distribution main at the end of last month. As a result, it is facing the prospect of stepping up surveying and maintenance of its 40,000-mile distribution pipeline system. The company’s transmission pipelines have been under scrutiny following a deadly explosion one year ago.

Rockies Express (REX) said an outage of one unit at Bertrand Compressor Station experienced Thursday kept it unavailable Friday although repair crews worked on resolving the issue. However, at the current level of scheduled quantities (both Intraday 1 and Timely) through Segment 250, scheduling reductions were not necessary Friday, REX said, but if nominations increase for future cycles, a force majeure may be required.

Repairs are under way and expected to be completed by mid-week on Bison Pipeline, a section of which experienced a rupture last week in Wyoming (see Daily GPI, July 25), shutting in the pipeline. A spokesman for TransCanada Corp., owner of Bison, told NGI the preliminary investigation into the cause of the rupture has determined that it was the result of mechanical damage. “Something struck the pipe,” said spokesman James Millar. However, he could not say whether there was excavation taking place in the area of the rupture in Campbell County, WY. TransCanada is working with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration on its restart plan for the pipeline, Millar said. “When they approve that restart plan…then we can begin flowing gas on Bison.”

This winter could end up being one of the coldest the United States has experienced since the 1980s, according to AccuWeather.com chief long-range forecaster Joe Bastardi, who said temperatures are expected to continue to average below normal from the northern and central Plains into the East through at least the middle of next month.

This winter could end up being one of the coldest the United States has experienced since the 1980s, according to AccuWeather.com chief long-range forecaster Joe Bastardi, who said temperatures are expected to continue to average below normal from the northern and central Plains into the East through at least the middle of next month.

Pressure pumping companies experienced a “monster” year in 2010 but even with new equipment being readied, demand is forecast to increase through the year, driven by growth in horizontal drilling and increased hydraulic fracturing (fracking) intensity, energy analysts said last week.