Train

Dominion CEO Thomas F. Farrell II warned last week that the United States “is headed for an energy train wreck” if the country does not create a national energy policy “grounded in economic realism, common sense and market principles.”

Dominion CEO Thomas F. Farrell II warned Monday that the United States “is headed for an energy train wreck” if the country does not create a national energy policy “grounded in economic realism, common sense and market principles.”

Citing unfavorable market conditions, BP plc reported decreased earnings in the second quarter relative to the second quarter of 2001. Nevertheless, the company added that “performance and growth [is] firmly on track,” and increased the company’s quarterly common stock dividend to $6 from $5.50 at this time last year.

NACE International has opened a Pipeline and Tank Training Field in Houston, which will be used to train students in corrosion control, simulating conditions surrounding storage tanks and buried pipe. The field site will serve as a tool to certify personnel worldwide, and it is equipped to illustrate several techniques and survey methods to test and monitor the performance of pipe systems. NACE is a professional technical society that provides education and communicates information on the effects of corrosion. To learn more about the training program, call Ray Poltorak or Trevor Eade at (281) 228-6200.

Transwestern extended through at least Saturday the force majeureassociated with a freight train derailment near its mainline innorthwest new Mexico (see Daily GPI, Nov. 2). The derailed cars have beenremoved but harsh weather delayed the start of pipe inspection untilFriday, a spokeswoman said. Crews were hoping to restore servicebetween Stations 5 and 6 Sunday, she said. A capacity constraintremained in effect going into the weekend, but it had been reducedfrom 400,000 MMBtu/d to 300,000 MMBtu/d.