President Obama signs pipeline safety law

President Barack Obama recently signed legislation to toughen oil and gas pipeline regulations. The president signed the legislation February 3, 2011, as part of a post-holiday, back-to-business day that included approval of several other measures approved by Congress late last year.

The pipeline law aims to close gaps in federal safety regulations made apparent by a fatal gas pipeline break near San Francisco in 2010.

The measure doubles the maximum fine for pipeline safety violations to $2 million, deploys more inspectors and mandates automatic shut-off valves where feasible.

The legislation is partly in response to pipeline incidents such as those at San Bruno, California, and the spill in Michigan in 2010.

The administration has released statements claiming that the law will achieve greater safety and stronger economic growth at the same time.

EQT Corp. elects new board members

EQT Corp. recently announced the election of Kenneth M. Burke and Margaret K. Dorman as the newest members to its board of directors.

Ken Burke brings over three decades of experience focused on the energy industry, primarily oil and gas. Burke retired from Ernst & Young LLP in 2004. He co-authored the book, "Oil and Gas Limited Partnerships: Accounting, Reporting and Taxation."

Margaret Dorman also brings significant leadership experience in finance and accounting. She retired from Smith International Inc. in 2009 after serving for more than a decade as the company's chief financial officer and treasurer.

200 pipeline workers to walk off job

More than 700 Teamster pipeline construction workers are walking off their jobs after negotiations broke down with the Pipe Line Contractors Association over proposals to change their retirement programs.

That total will include about 200 workers in West Virginia and Pennsylvania, according to Galen Munroe, a Teamsters spokesman from Washington, D.C. Their contract expired on December 31, 2011.

Most of those local workers have jobs related to drilling and transporting pipelines to Marcellus shale and Utica shale natural gas reserve drilling sites.

The Pipe Line Contractors Association (PLCA), based in Dallas, Texas, includes more than 70 construction companies that build and maintain pipeline infrastructures for the oil and natural gas companies.

The PLCA is trying to force the Teamsters to accept 401(k) savings plans, which would ultimately eliminate traditional defined-benefit pensions. At press time, 90 pipeline workers had already walked off their jobs in Marshall and Wetzel counties.

Current negotiations involve major companies in the pipeline industry, such as Price Gregory Construction Inc. and Sheehan Pipeline Construction Co., which have operations in northern West Virginia and western Pennsylvania.

Knight Oil Tools announces changes

Mark Knight, president of Knight Oil Tools, named Clark Carnes president of Knight Oil Tools International and Doug Keller to senior vice president of Knight Oil Tools. Nicholas Knight has been named vice president of Knight Oil Tools.

Mickey Broussard has been named vice president of Knight Oil Tools' fishing services business unit.

Sid Lyons has been named vice president of sales for Knight Oil Tools.

Raymond Domingue has been named general manager of the Tri*Drill Services business unit.

Mike Foster has been named regional vice president-South America for Knight Oil Tools International

Joe Lee has been promoted to assistant vice president, fishing services.

Norman Henry has been named assistant vice president of sales for Knight Oil Tools. And Jerome Lane has been promoted to assistant vice president, operations.

C.I. Agent Solutions named business of the year

C.I. Agent Solutions has been awarded Business First's Eagle Award of Excellence in the small company category. Business First, a Louisville magazine, honors area businesses that exhibit substantial growth and professionalism.

Founded in 2000, C.I. Agent Solutions is a global leader in oil spill cleanup and secondary containment.

Crosstex Energy announces new corporate line-up

The Crosstex Energy companies, Crosstex Energy LP and Crosstex Energy Inc., recently announced that Royston Lightfoot has been promoted to senior vice president, business development.

Alliance Pipeline launches new market hub

As of December 1, 2011, Alliance Pipeline will offer a new suite of services that leverage Alliance's interconnections to other pipelines and downstream markets with the creation of a market hub called the Alliance Chicago Exchange.

The Alliance Hub will offer enhanced title transfers, wheeling and park and loan services at Alliance's delivery header near Channahon, Illinois, to existing

Alliance shippers and new customers. Alliance Hub customers will be able to transfer ownership to third parties, flexibly manage gas volumes between points, and defer and supplement their deliveries at the header.

An associated long haul contract is not required. The Alliance Hub was given Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approval on November 29, 2011.

ConocoPhillips Co. announces executive appointments

ConocoPhillips Co. recently announced additional appointments to the executive management teams for the two energy companies that will be created when ConocoPhillips completes its strategic repositioning, expected in second-quarter 2012.

Phillips 66, the future independent downstream company, named C.C. (Clayton) Reasor as vice president, investor relations, strategy and corporate affairs.

The new ConocoPhillips, an independent, pure-play exploration and production company, named Ellen R. DeSanctis as vice president, investor relations.

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