Midstream Business Magazine - June 2013

Editor's Note

Taking Hold

The build-out in North America’s midstream appears to be taking hold, making a difference in the market after a furious three or four years’ work.

Construction Update

Utica Expansion Takes Center Stage

Midstream companies this summer are in the middle of the mass expansion of pipeline infrastructure. At the center of it all stands MarkWest Energy Partners LP.

Feature

Above The Crest

Pipeline operators face enormous growth potential as the need for a widespread midstream build-out continues.

Closing Bell: Hydraulic Fracturing And The Poor

My mom came up from the basement holding a large, well-worn Florsheim shoebox containing tattered papers that she had collected over the course of 30 years.

Completing The Midstream Build-Out

North America's midstream appears to be midway through its significant expansion/rebuild to move growing shale-play production to market.

Executive Q&A: Middle Of The Midstream

Anne-Marie Ainsworth heads Oiltanking Partners LP, which provides independent storage and transportation of crude oil, refined petroleum products and liquefied petroleum gas on the Texas Gulf Coast.

Focus On MLPs: Growth Is Good

The premier master limited partnership trade group's conference keys in on rapid expansion of this investment sector.

Focus On MLPs: MLP Defined

Unique assets provide growth opportunities for the largest midstream player.

Gas Storage To The Rescue

It can serve as a 'shock absorber' and insurance for producers; however, investors are losing interest in the segment.

Hold, Please

Australia's massive LNG development may be slowing as the nation's producers and midstream operators confront high costs, labor shortages and other challenges.

Lighting CBM's Fire

Coalbed methane projects in the west could be making a comeback as natural gas prices rise. Producers have lots of running room for additional development if prices continue to perk up—creating new opportunities for midstream players.

Alerian Index

MLPs And Interest Rates

With interest rates at historic lows, investors have been searching for yield and have found stable and growing cash flows with relatively lower cash-flow volatility in master limited partnerships (MLPs).

Finance Matters

Climate Change, Gas And Investing

nt Barack Obama delivered a major policy speech on climate change at Georgetown University at the end of June. In directing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) “to complete new CO2 pollution standards for both new and existing power plants,” the speech was signif

News Flow

Barclays: Shale Energy's Economic Effect 'Modest' To Date

For all the hype about job growth and energy independence surrounding increased oil and gas activity in the shale plays, the overall effect to date to the U.S. economy is modest at best, say analysts with Barclays Capital Inc.

Deadline Looms On NESHAP Compliance

The sense of urgency is growing as the deadline for compliance on new spark-ignited reciprocating internal combustion engines (SI RICEs) regulations nears, says one industry expert.

In The Pipeline: Wave Of Floating LNG Projects Could Emerge

High costs for land-based LNG facilities are expected to push more companies toward more flexible, less expensive floating liquefaction (FLNG) plants as they bring natural gas supplies to market.

Light Shale Crudes Reshape World's Refining Business

The gusher of light, sweet crude oil flowing from North America’s unconventional shale plays has forced a major shift in how refiners—here and abroad—buy feedstocks.

North America experience midstream 'super cycle'

North Dakota Rail Is Here To Stay

North Dakota has been one of the biggest energy stories over the past two years as crude production out of the Williston basin

Panel Expects M&A Consolidation

The flurry of activity in unconventional resources during the past three years will likely lead to a growing wave of consolidation in the coming years, according to a panel of merger and acquisition (M&A) experts.

Price Uncertainties Dominate Executives' Concerns

Energy-industry managers agree on some trends: 53% of executives expect a rise in employment, 31% predict difficultly in hiring and retention and 60% foresee an increase in capital expenditures.

Production Gains Drive NGL Exports

Global energy markets are acutely focused on North American energy independence and the possibility of exports of light tight oil and natural gas in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

What If Crude Prices Fall?

What happens when crude prices dip, as Bentek analyst Jay Williams expects them to in the future?

NGL Frac Spread

Geopolitical Events Sustain NGL Prices

West Texas Intermediate crude prices rose above $100 per barrel in early July on the back of a U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) report that crude, gasoline and distillate inventory levels are below expectations.

Transaction Update

Midstream's Summer Heat Wave

The temperature isn’t the only thing heating up this summer— especially in the midstream.