Westport

Global oil demand growth will hit a wall sooner than many think, thanks in part to expanding substitution of natural gas for oil in multiple applications worldwide, said analysts at Citi Research, a unit of Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is being examined as an alternative fuel to diesel for locomotive engines by a collaboration of Canadian National Railway (CN), Westport Innovations and Gaz Metro Transportation Solutions (GMTS). They are seeking to develop a prototype LNG engine for locomotives by 2013. The project has obtained a $2.4 million grant from the Canadian government-backed Sustainable Development Technology Canada, a nonprofit that finances development of clean technologies. The project initially will concentrate on an LNG system for locomotives, both in plant and field settings. GMTS will provide LNG and fuel supply logistical expertise while CN will provide the locomotive expertise, the partners said.

Tres Palacios Gas Storage LLC, a subsidiary of Westport, CT-based NGS Energy LP, has asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for the go-ahead to place into commercial service Wednesday a third cavern at its storage facility in Matagorda County, TX.

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.

FERC Thursday approved a request of Tres Palacios Gas Storage LLC, a subsidiary of Westport, CT-based NGS Investments LP, to place its entire storage header system in Texas in service.

Tres Palacios Gas Storage LLC, a subsidiary of Westport, CT-based NGS Investments LP, asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for clearance to place its entire storage header system in Texas in service on Monday (July 20). “Action by that day will give Tres Palacios adequate time to alert its customers to the availability of additional receipt point capabilities for storage injections and will give those customers time to make the necessary upstream transportation and gas supply arrangements,” wrote attorneys for the storage company. Tres Palacios said it was nearing completion of the construction of the segment of the header system located between interconnections with Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line and Tennessee Gas Pipeline.The 41.72-mile, looped bidirectional pipeline will be connected to a number of interstate and intrastate pipelines. In late 2008 and early this year Tres Palacios received authorization to place into service storage caverns one and two, as well as its gas handling facility and previously constructed portions of the header pipeline system (see NGI, Oct. 6, 2008). The storage facility, located in Matagorda County, TX, is using existing underground salt caverns on the Markham Dome. A third cavern is targeted for service in 2010, according to Tres Palacios. The three-cavern facility has planned working gas storage capacity of 36.62 Bcf, and will have the ability to receive injections of up to 1 Bcf/d and handle withdrawals of up to 2.5 Bcf/d.

Tres Palacios Gas Storage LLC, a subsidiary of Westport, CT-based NGS Investments LP, Wednesday asked FERC for clearance to place its entire storage header system in Texas in service on July 20.

It was trick and treat for Westport, CT-based NGS Energy LP on Halloween when it added to its portfolio of merchant natural gas storage facilities on the Gulf Coast and announced that it obtained FERC approval for its Leaf River Energy Center LLC in Mississippi.