Manufacturer

Seal Beach, CA-based Clean Energy Fuels Corp.’s fueling infrastructure manufacturer, IMW Industries, on Monday introduced a new self-contained, mobile compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station designed for small to mid-size vehicle fleets. The announcement from IMW’s Vancouver, BC, headquarters comes within days of a Canadian industry-government launch of a nationwide effort to boost the use of natural gas for transportation in Canada (see related story).

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP (KMP) has agreed to acquire SouthTex Treaters, a manufacturer, designer and fabricator of natural gas treating plants that remove carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, for about $155 million. The manufactured amine plants range in size from five to 1,200 gallons per minute of treating capacity. Kinder Morgan Treating, a subsidiary of KMP, is a large provider of contract-operated treating and hydrocarbon dew point conditioning plants. “This acquisition will enable us to provide large amine plants for centralized treating facilities, which are often needed in the rapidly developing shale plays,” said Bill Stokes, vice president of Kinder Morgan Treating. “We will also be able to replenish our already large inventory of amine plants and offer our customers even more flexibility for their treating needs.” Closing is expected during the fourth quarter.

Cleveland-based Chart Industries Inc., a manufacturer of equipment to handle hydrocarbon and industrial gases, said it is expanding manufacturing capacity for liquefied natural gas (LNG) equipment to meet growing North American infrastructure demand. “We are expanding capacity to meet current customer needs and to remain ready to serve the rapid growth we are seeing in North America for LNG equipment for applications such as fueling stations, transportation and remote power generation,” said Tom Carey, president of Chart’s distribution and storage unit. “We believe we are in the early stages of a substantial LNG infrastructure buildout in North America that we expect will last for many years, similar to opportunities we are pursuing in China and elsewhere.” The company said its first phase of investment will be about $4 million at a site in the Upper Midwest during the fourth quarter.

National Oilwell Varco Inc. (NOV), the largest U.S. oilfield equipment manufacturer, on Tuesday posted higher than expected quarterly profits, in part on rig technology orders, which jumped 26% in the period.

Seal Beach, CA-based Clean Energy Fuels Corp. announced that a major manufacturer of steel service truck bodies, Knapheide Manufacturing Co., has selected Clean Energy’s BAF Technologies Inc. subsidiary to be its exclusive provider of after-market compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel systems for light-duty Ford trucks. BAF will provide its proprietary CNG fuel systems for use in the Knapheide-configured trucks, primarily F-350 and F-450 models, a Clean Energy spokesperson said. Quincy, IL-based Knapheide calls itself the leading producer of steel service truck bodies in the nation; BAF bills itself as the nation’s leading provider of natural gas transportation fueling systems.

Because of strong drilling in North America’s onshore basins, oilfield equipment manufacturer National Oilwell Varco Inc. (NOV) said Tuesday its rig equipment backlog at the end of September was worth an estimated $4.87 billion — more than at the end of the second quarter.

Heavy truck manufacturer Peterbilt Motors Co. has rolled out three natural gas-fueled models equipped with the Cummins Westport ISL-G engine, which offers a 320 hp rating and 1,000 ft-lbs. of torque. The vehicles run on either compressed or liquefied natural gas. “Our natural gas Models 384, 365 and 320 demonstrate our industry leadership in developing products that will reduce harmful emissions and provide exceptional fuel efficiency,” said Bill Jackson, Peterbilt general manager.

Heavy truck manufacturer Peterbilt Motors Co. has rolled out three natural gas-fueled models equipped with the Cummins Westport ISL-G engine, which offers a 320 hp rating and 1,000 ft-lbs. of torque. The vehicles run on either compressed or liquefied natural gas. “Our natural gas Models 384, 365 and 320 demonstrate our industry leadership in developing products that will reduce harmful emissions and provide exceptional fuel efficiency,” said Bill Jackson, Peterbilt general manager.

Proving that where there’s natural gas there’s pipe (and economic development), steel tubular manufacturer TMK IPSCO said Tuesday it’s setting up a manufacturing facility to produce threaded pipe for Marcellus Shale infrastructure. The facility will be near Youngstown, OH, which has seen its fortunes decline with the weakening of America’s steel industry.