Midstream Business Magazine - April 2013
Editor's Note
Construction Update
Feature
Breaking Out The NIOBRARA
Move over, Denver-Julesburg (DJ) basin. The Niobrara is establishing an identity of its own after years of being overshadowed by the hugely successful and broader DJ basin.
Compression Business
Midstream’s rapid growth to serve the shale plays, coupled with stricter air-emission standards, challenge compression manufacturers and service providers.
Focus on Recruitment : Readying For The ‘Big Crew Change’
Energy companies are focusing on STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics—education, which they say is key to addressing workforce challenges.
Fractionation Projects Abound
As natural gas liquid (NGL) production in the Northeast ramps up, the Texas Gulf Coast—thanks to the Mont Belvieu hub—still remains the king of the gas liquids market.
Integrity Management
Managements today employ advanced technology and well-orchestrated maintenance programs to make North America’s pipeline network the safest way to move hydrocarbons to market by a wide margin. But challenges remain, and when something does go wrong, it creates significant financial, legal and political repercussions.
Old Lines, New Uses
Changing commodity markets mean many pipeline systems must find new uses for their assets. Some systems have special challenges in the future, but analysts say the resilient business will adapt.
Q and A
Van Welch serves as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Willbros Group Inc. The industry veteran has been in the engineering and construction business for most of his adult life and has spent time working both domestically and abroad. He joined Willbros in 2006.