Encana Corp. and liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueling solutions provider Ferus LNG Inc. plan to build a 190,000 liter per day LNG production facility near Grande Prairie, Alberta (AB). The facility is to be near high levels of energy industry activity in northwestern Alberta and northeastern British Columbia and is expected to be operational by the end of 2013. It would be among the first in Canada designed to produce high-quality LNG fuel specifically for high-horsepower (HHP) engines used in drilling rigs, pressure pumping services and heavy-duty highway and off-road trucks, the partners said. Other HHP applications for the LNG supply include rail, mining, and remote power generation. To support the entire LNG supply chain, Encana and Ferus LNG have also designed and are in the process of building specialized mobile storage and dispensing equipment. Ferus and Encana said they have committed to using LNG for their own fueling needs. In 2011 alone, Encana saved $12 million in fuel costs by using natural gas instead of diesel in drilling rigs and company trucks and is on track to exceed this figure in 2012, the company said (see NGI, March 26). Earlier this year Ferus said it was putting into service the first LNG-powered heavy duty truck in Alberta (see NGI, April 30).
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LNG Fuel Production Facility Planned in Alberta
Encana Corp. and liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueling solutions provider Ferus LNG Inc. said they will build a 190,000 liter per day LNG production facility near Grande Prairie, Alberta (AB).
Industry Briefs
Honeywell’s UOP business is buying a 70% stake in Thomas Russell Co., a privately held provider of technology and equipment for natural gas processing and treating. UOP provides process technology, materials and equipment to petroleum refining, petrochemical, and gas processing industries. It will now be able to offer a range of technologies and products that allow shale and conventional natural gas producers to remove contaminants from natural gas and recover high-value natural gas liquids (NGL). Founded in 2002, Tulsa, OK-based Thomas Russell specializes in the design, engineering, fabrication and start-up of skid-mounted modular packaged plants systems for the recovery and upgrading of NGLs. UOP is paying $525 million in cash for the interest and has a right to acquire the remaining 30% stake. Closing, subject to conditions, is expected during the fourth quarter.
MarkWest Utica Secures New Agreements, Expands Ohio System
MarkWest Utica EMG LLC, a partnership between Appalachian midstream provider MarkWest Energy Partners LP and private equity fund The Energy and Minerals Group (EMG), has secured agreements to process and transport Gulfport Energy Corp.’s growing natural gas volumes from three eastern Ohio counties between now and 2014. The partners also are expanding one Utica Shale midstream facility and building a new plant to ensure producers have enough fractionation services available.
Industry Brief
Copano Energy LLC plans to add an additional 400 MMcf/d of cryogenic processing capacity at its Houston Central complex in Colorado County, TX, to meet demand from producers in the liquids rich Eagle Ford Shale. The expansion would bring Copano’s cryogenic capacity at the facility to 1 Bcf/d. The project is expected to cost $190 million and be in service mid-2014. Copano also announced a new long-term fee-based gathering and processing agreement with a “major” Eagle Ford producer, which combined with previously announced producer commitments, will support the expansion. Copano had previously announced plans for an initial 400 MMcf/d cryogenic processing expansion at Houston Central, which is expected to be in service during the first quarter of 2013 (see Shale Daily, April 21, 2011). “This second cryogenic expansion project reaffirms our commitment to being a leading midstream service provider in the Eagle Ford shale,” said CEO R. Bruce Northcutt.
Crosstex Expands Utica Operations with Clearfield Energy Buy
Crosstex Energy LP will pay about $210 million to buy privately held pipeline services provider Clearfield Energy Inc., a deal that would significantly expand its crude oil and condensate services in the Utica Shale, the Dallas-based partnership said Tuesday.
Baker Hughes: ‘Rapidly Changing Market Conditions’ Slam Operations
Oilfield services provider Baker Hughes Inc. said Wednesday “rapidly changing market conditions,” primarily in the pressure pumping business in North America as drillers move rigs out of natural gas fields, likely will impact profits in the first quarter.
Halliburton Following U.S. Producers from Gas to Liquids
Halliburton Co., the No. 1 hydraulic fracturing (fracking) services provider in North America, said Monday fourth quarter net profits spiked 50% year/year on the strength of U.S. operations. However, as the industry shifts from dry natural gas plays to liquids, CEO Dave Lesar said costs are rising.
People
Walter H. Helmerich III, chairman of Tulsa-based Helmerich & Payne Inc., the largest active provider of land drilling rigs in the United States, died Tuesday. Helmerich joined the company that his father co-founded in 1950 and became president in 1960. He led the company as CEO for 22 years until 1989 when his son Hans was named CEO. Helmerich is survived by his wife, Peggy, his five sons and 12 grandchildren. Services are to be held Friday at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church in Tulsa.
Industry Brief
Oilfield services provider Platinum Energy Solutions Inc. filed plans with the Securities and Exchange Commission to sell up to $300 million of common stock in an initial public offering. The Houston-based company, which specializes in hydraulic fracturing in unconventional oil and natural gas plays, coiled tubing and other pressure pumping services, has operations in Texas and northwestern Louisiana. Platinum’s “quintuplex” pumping units are capable of delivering up to 2,500 hydraulic horsepower with an 80% efficiency, according to the company. Platinum said it has applied to list its stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker FRAC.
