$720 billion planned for gas pipeline projects across the globe
Reuters News Service is reporting that almost every “major region” of the world is focusing on developing natural gas generation infrastructure. Over $720 billion is in the works to build gas pipelines across the globe. $190 billion is being allocated to liquified natural gas (LNG) facilities, Reuters said, citing Global Energy Monitor.
Despite a worldwide push to end fossil-fuel reliance, these investments solidify natural gas’ place in the energy mix “beyond 2023.”
Most natural gas pipelines are “heavily concentrated” in the western world, with over 60 percent of infrastructure located in North America and Europe. However, Asia, Africa, and Latin America, in addition to North America and Europe, have at least a 10 percent share in projects that are either planned or already under development.
Expenditure breakdown:
Currently, North America’s natural gas network includes over 250,000 miles of pipeline. East Asia is projected to increase its pipeline network by over 50 percent, which is anticipated to increase natural gas users and expand the supply chain.
South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa are projected to increase their pipeline network by 88 percent and a whopping 282 percent, respectively.
St. Croix tap water still contains lead, copper contamination from corroded pipes
With no date in sight for when it will be safe to drink tap water again on the island of St. Croix, officials in the U.S. Virgin Islands announced that they would distribute water filters and provide free lead and copper testing as they work on long-term solutions.
The newest measures were unveiled at a virtual town hall held months after people in St. Croix complained about red and brown water coming out of their taps. The complaints led to the governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands to declare a state of emergency in November after an investigation found high levels of lead and copper. U.S. President Joe Biden also declared an emergency later that month.
Subsequent studies by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found lead levels at people’s homes were significantly lower than those reported previously at distribution meters. The agency said that of the 119 samples collected at nearly a dozen homes in St. Croix, only three samples showed levels higher than those recommended by the EPA, according to a report released in late December.
Local authorities conducted their own study, analyzing 31 samples collected from kitchen taps. All were found to be within U.S. federal standards, said Don Gregoire, water director for St. Croix.
So far, the U.S. Virgin Islands government’s response has included distribution of thousands of water vouchers, a $75 water bill credit, installation of lead-free meter boxes and other equipment, and free lead testing for children up to 6 years old.
Long-term solutions include eliminating corrosion from water distribution lines and overhauling the entire system, a more than $1.5 billion project that would take an estimated 20 years to complete, said Noel Hodge, chief operating officer for water in St. Croix.
To date, $30 million in federal funds has been allocated to the Water and Power Authority in St. Croix, which treats up to 3 million gallons of drinking water a day and serves up to 4 percent of the island’s 41,000 residents, according to the EPA.
In its report, the EPA found that the water agency’s distribution system is more than 60 years old and deteriorating. Gregoire said federal funds are needed to replace the entire system because the water agency is allocated only $5 million to $7 million a year.
Texas hotel explosion injures 21; possible gas leak investigated
An explosion at a historic Texas hotel in Fort Worth in early January blew out windows, littered downtown streets with large sections of debris from the building and injured 21 people, including one who was in critical condition, authorities said.
Authorities said they believe a gas leak caused the explosion — which happened in the middle of the afternoon at the start of the workweek — and said the hotel had been undergoing construction.
The blast flung doors and entire sections of wall onto the road in front of the 20-story hotel, where authorities said rescue crews found several people trapped in the basement. Fifteen people were taken to hospitals, including six whose conditions were described as "semi-critical" by MedStar, which provides ambulances and emergency medical services in Fort Worth.
More than two dozen rooms were occupied at the Sandman Signature Hotel at the time, officials said.
The Sandman Signature Hotel is in a busy area of downtown about one block from the Fort Worth Convention Center. Footage from news helicopters showed firefighters picking their way through the piles of drywall, shattered glass and mangled metal that coated the street outside the hotel. Authorities urged people to avoid the area.
Craig Trojacek, a spokesman for the Fort Worth Fire Department, said a restaurant in the building had been under construction but said it was not definitive that is where the blast occurred.
Technicians from Atmos Energy, a Dallas-based natural gas distributor, were examining the blast site Monday. A spokesperson for the Railroad Commission of Texas, the state's oil and gas regulator, said an agency inspector was also on the scene and working with local authorities.
Northland Properties Co., the Canadian company that owns the hotel, said in a statement that it was working with officials to determine how the explosion occurred and how much damage it caused.
According to the hotel website, the Sandman Signature Fort Worth Downtown Hotel has 245 rooms and was built in 1920 as the "Waggoner Building," named after cattle rancher and oilman William Thomas Waggoner. The building has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979.
Enbridge, FortisBC to study hydrogen delivery through pipeline infrastructure
Enbridge Inc. and FortisBC Energy Inc. announced funding, with contributions from the British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, for their own respective studies to produce an integrated summary that will examine how hydrogen, a low-carbon energy source, can be safely and reliably delivered using the province's existing gas pipeline infrastructure.
This hydrogen blending study will look at the percentage of hydrogen that can be safely transported through gas pipeline infrastructure, such as Enbridge's Westcoast natural gas transmission system, as well as FortisBC's gas transmission and distribution systems, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help develop a low-carbon energy economy. If upon completion it is determined that hydrogen can be safely transported in this infrastructure, the study will be used to inform the development of codes and standards to regulate its transportation and help to inform the development of a commercial hydrogen market in the province.
Frank Canon, renowned figure in HDD industry, dies at 77
Frank Lynn Canon, 77, a pioneer in the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) industry, died on Jan. 5 in Magnolia, Texas. Born in Alpena, Mich., Canon’s journey from a lime-green polyester suit on his first day as an oilfield mud engineer to becoming a legendary educator in drilling fluids has left an indelible mark on the HDD community.
Canon, raised in Pearland, Texas, graduated from Pearland High School in 1965 and earned a degree in Theatre Arts from Sam Houston State University. In 1969, he married Mary Ann, and together they had two sons, Barrett and Jared.
Joining Baroid in 1975, Canon’s career took an unexpected turn towards HDD. Returning to Houston in 1991, he played a pivotal role in establishing Baroid's Industrial Drilling Products Division, dedicating himself entirely to trenchless technology execution and education by the following year.
Over a career spanning four decades, he achieved legendary status in the HDD industry. Recognized for his practical expertise in the field, he stood out as an exceptional educator, traveling across the globe to train thousands of individuals in drilling fluids best practices. His teaching style, described as homespun, humorous, folksy and memorable, resonated with all who had the privilege of learning from him.
Canon’s contributions were acknowledged with numerous accolades, including the Texas Water Well Association's Man of the Year, the North East Trenchless Association's Founder Award, and induction into the North American Society for Trenchless Technology (NASTT) Hall of Fame in 2012. His most recent honor was his induction into Underground Infrastructure’s HDD Hall of Fame in 2022.
Retiring in 2015, he continued to serve as a consultant and mentor to the industry.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Canon, sons Barrett Canon (Thera) and Jared Canon, nieces Anne Kish (Don) and Rosie Botkin (Ron), great-nephews Henry Botkin-Henderson and Avery Botkin-Henderson, and great nieces Audrey Kish and Norah Botkin-Henderson. UI