PetroBlog

Big Oil Not Keen on Obama’s Green Lead

noreply@blogger.com (Ecacofonix) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:29:00 +0000

The Obama administration wants to reduce oil consumption, increase renewable energy supplies and cut carbon dioxide emissions in the most ambitious transformation of energy policy in a generation.

But the world’s oil giants are not convinced that it will work. Many of the oil companies are staying on the sidelines, balking at investing in new technologies favored by the president, or even straying from commitments they had already made.

“In my view, nothing has really changed,” Rex W. Tillerson, the chief executive of Exxon Mobil, said after the election of President Obama.

Indeed.

“We don’t oppose alternative energy sources and the development of those. But to hang the future of the country’s energy on those alternatives alone belies reality of their size and scale”

Spoken like a true Big Oil executive.

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Utilities Prepare to Use Biogas in Natural Gas Pipes

noreply@blogger.com (Ecacofonix) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:27:00 +0000

A recent story on on Enbridge Gas Distribution and its early investigation of biogas-injection into its natural gas pipelines. It’s already being done in several European countries and some U.S. states, and is even mandated in countries such as Germany. Enbridge, and Terasen Gas in British Columbia, are among a number of gas utilities in North America that are trying to prepare themselves for the day when “bio-methane” will become a common component of natural gas pipeline infrastructure. Will the biogas quality affect the pipeline? Can it be used in all natural gas appliances without problem? How much does it cost to scrub out impurities? What’s the best source: landfills, sewage treatment plants, biodigesters? All questions that are being asked and answered. Indeed, the Gas Technology Institute is in the middle of a $1.6 million (U.S.) study aimed as answering these questions.

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True Blue Natural Gas Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Ecacofonix) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:25:00 +0000

A useful blog (quite regularly updated) on natural gas

Natural Gas Intelligence Press

noreply@blogger.com (Ecacofonix) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:23:00 +0000

Intelligence Press - Excellent news site , regularly updated, for natural gas - link

Natural Gas discussion @ 2009 Energy Conference

noreply@blogger.com (Ecacofonix) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:17:00 +0000

Rick Smead of the American Clean Skies Foundation spoke of the benefits of natural gas in keeping the air clean. He noted that the opportunities provided by the production from gas shale give a step change to the supply available and that it is just a case of going out and working out how to get it.

Jim Simpson of BENTEK who provide real time supply data and modeling. He seemed to think that it is more likely that it will stay below or at $4.

Brian Jeffries of the Wyoming Pipeline Authority talked of the conditions (93% of Wyoming’s energy is exported) that led to the creation of the authority.

Christine Tezak had, until the recent debacle, been working for the Stanford Group and brought up some of the problems that might face the growth of the industry.

John Strom of Haddington Ventures talked a little on bulk energy storage and particularly wind energy with its need to even out the supply load.

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Indiana Clean Coal Project with Synthetic Natural Gas Technology

noreply@blogger.com (Ecacofonix) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:15:00 +0000

Indiana solidified its place as a leader in homegrown clean energy production after Gov. Daniels signed into law today a bill to bring Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG) technology to the state, billions in energy savings and new jobs.

Senate Enrolled Act 423 was the first bill the governor signed into law for the 2009 legislative session.

Authored by Sen. Brandt Hershman (R-Wheatfield) the new law allows the Indiana Finance Authority to purchase SNG directly from power plants and sell the gas to utilities dollar for dollar under a 30-year contract. Hershman said through the state’s new contract, Hoosiers may see a significant reduction in their energy bills.
From left to right: Sen. Jim Merritt (R-Indianapolis), co-author of SEA 423, and Sen. Brandt Hershman (R-Wheatfield), author of SEA 423, join Gov. Daniels as he signs the first bill of the legislative session into law which extends Indiana’s leadership in clean coal.

Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG) is created when coal is put through a gasification process which safely removes the vast majority of unwanted pollutants, leaving a clean burning pipeline-quality gas that can be transported and used just as natural gas is used to heat many Hoosier homes. Synthetic Natural Gas is produced with 99 percent fewer emissions than a traditional coal power plant.

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Separating CO2 from Natural Gas - Royal Dutch Shell, PT Pertamina

noreply@blogger.com (Ecacofonix) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:13:00 +0000

As state run oil and gas firm PT Pertamina is selecting partners for the development of the Natuna D-Alpha gas block, the Netherlands-based Royal Dutch Shell Plc is promoting its technology which it claims is applicable to gas fields contaminated with high levels of CO2. PT Shell Indonesia's president director, said the company had been developing a combined technology to separate CO2 from natural gas. It is expected this combined technology will be able to deal with CO2 contaminated fields with the degree of contamination up to 90 percent.

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Oil companies abandon Alberta carbon capture

noreply@blogger.com (Ecacofonix) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 06:55:00 +0000

Several big oil producers have pulled out of Alberta's $2-billion carbon capture and storage plan.

"It seems like even the oil industry is starting to admit what Greenpeace has been saying all along: carbon capture and storage is expensive and unproven," says Mike Hudema from Greenpeace.

The province confirms that eight companies have abandoned their carbon capture plans including, Suncor, Syncrude and Petro-Canada.

The province set up a $2-billion fund which companies could apply to access.

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Chennai Petro to implement integrity pact

noreply@blogger.com (Ecacofonix) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 06:54:00 +0000

In a bid to maintain complete transparency in contracts and procurements, Chennai Petroleum Corporation (CPCL) has signed a MoU with Transparency International India (TII) for implementing an integrity pact.

The pact is a tool developed by the Berlin based Transparency International for enhancing the degree of fairness and transparency in procurement and contracts, resulting in substantial improvement in system and reduction in corruption in public dealings.

By signing this MoU, CPCL said in a statement it joins select corporates in India which adhere to this model which binds a company and its suppliers\contractors to ethical conduct in contracts and implementation of projects.

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EPRI Research - Coal-Fired Power with Solar

noreply@blogger.com (Ecacofonix) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 05:44:00 +0000

While environmental groups argue merits of various green energy alternatives, EPRI plans for solar steam to reduce coal consumption.

As renewable energy technologies become more commonplace, more questions emerge as to the practicality and other problematic side-effects from otherwise promising approaches. Even solar technologies have come into question with problems related to disposing of spent photovoltaic panels.

The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) assists the electric utility industry by researching new technologies related to the generation, delivery, and use of electric power. Its member utilities are responsible for more than 90% of the electricity generated in the U.S., with international participation from 40 countries. The group has researched many environmental and renewable projects, guiding development from concept through evaluation, texting, and commercialization.

As one of its renewable energy projects, EPRI is in the evaluation phase with two new projects to study solar steam generation that can supplement conventional thermal technologies, allowing utilities to increase output or reduce fossil fuel consumption. The objectives of the studies are to determine the practicality and effectiveness of adding solar steam generation to existing natural gas combined cycle plants and conventional coal-fired plants.

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Biomass coal from Carbonscape offers storage and fuel

noreply@blogger.com (Ecacofonix) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 05:38:00 +0000

A new machine dubbed the "Black Phantom" can turn biomass into manmade coal.

Carbonscape, a New Zealand-based start-up, describes its invention as an industrial-sized microwave that can cook plant waste, wood waste, and "even sewage" into coal.

Carbonscape also claims that the machine captures and stores more carbon than the amount of carbon generated by the electricity needed to power it for the process.

Why would anyone want to make more coal when humans are desperately trying to get out from under the carbon dioxide mess we've been making since the Industrial Revolution?

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Clean Coal as Energy Source Faces Challenges

noreply@blogger.com (Ecacofonix) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 05:35:00 +0000

Oxford Analytica says coal will find its dominance in the power sector eroded unless it embraces ‘clean coal’ technology.

This cannot be achieved without Carbon Capture and Storage, which is an unproven technology, OxAn say in an analysis for the outlook for coal.

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Coal Bed Methane CBM Breakthrough from Universal Well Site Solutions

noreply@blogger.com (Ecacofonix) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 05:33:00 +0000

UniSkid™ provides plug-and-play profit generator for CBM gas fields

Universal Well Site Solutions, the leader in full-service automated and wireless well-site production solutions for CBM, shale gas and low pressure traditional gas projects, announces the completion of comprehensive field testing and the market availability of its proprietary well-site manager, the UniSkid™.

An industry advance designed to replace old processes and provide instant CBM well-site hookup, with all equipment communicating immediately, the UniSkid is a breakthrough in gas field plug-and-play technology. It cuts set-up time and ensures operators reliable, real-time information that is the foundation for increased production and profits.

““The UniSkid is designed from more than a dozen years of actual field experiences, not in an engineer’s test area,” commented Cathy Conner, Chair and CEO of Oklahoma City-based Universal Well Site Solutions (www.universalwellsite.com).

The UniSkid platform allows customers to determine what additional well site equipment they would like to include in their design. Separators, gas measurement, water measurement and communication devices are primary options owners can include in their customized UniSkid. “We work with your engineers or field personnel to define a fully customized product that will ensure the least cost alternative for installation, portability, communications and functionality,” said Conner. “Our products have always been known for their durability and long-run-time life in the field.”

All UniSkids are fitted with an Operator Interface that can be manually programmed. Communication antennas are another skid option to enable information transfer from the well-site to an operator’s computer anywhere in the world. The UniSkid is a low-cost, profit-maximizing alternative to old well site trenching, integration and installation of equipment that has historically required individual set-ups and costly project management on site.

For 13 years, UWSS has been in specializing in designing, manufacturing, marketing and servicing total wellhead production solutions, the components of which are remote monitoring, measurement, communications and metering. UWSS is a global company headquartered in Oklahoma City, with offices in Loveland, CO, and Gillette, WY.

Peugeot leads in fuel efficiency

noreply@blogger.com (Ecacofonix) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 04:40:00 +0000

Peugeot in Ireland have announced that 1 in every 6 new vehicles sold in Europe emitting less than 120g of CO2/km is a Peugeot. Peugeot offer a range of fuel efficient, low emission vehicles and 80% of Peugeot's diesel range fall into the A or B tax category with road tax of € 104 and € 156 respectively.

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New Multiair Diesel Engine Technology Breakthrough From FIAT

noreply@blogger.com (Ecacofonix) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 04:34:00 +0000

Tech means more power, less fuel, lower emissions

Fiat Group has just launched MultiAir, a fundamental breakthrough in petrol engine design that will dramatically cut fuel consumption, as well as significantly boosting power and torque, cutting carbon dioxide emissions by between 10 and 25 per cent, and up to a 60 per cent reduction in other engine pollutants.

With MultiAir, Fiat has brought together the company’s enviable expertise and technology to make one of the single largest leaps forward for petrol engine design in recent times.

MultiAir Technology benefits:

* Maximum power is increased by up to 10 % thanks to the adoption of a power-orientated mechanical camshaft profile.
* Low RPM torque is improved by up to 15 % through early intake valve closing strategies that maximise the air mass trapped in the cylinders.
* Elimination of pumping losses brings a 10 % reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
* Optimum valve control strategies result in emissions reductions ranging from 40 per cent for unburnt hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide (HC/CO), and up to a 60 per cent cut in oxides of nitrogen, (NOx).
* Superior dynamic engine response, and enhanced driving pleasure.
* Applicable to all internal combustion engines, regardless of the fuel used.
* Can be adapted for diesel engines to reduce their NOx emissions and make particulate filters significantly more effective.

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Coal Bed Methane - Method to Boost Coal Bed Natural Gas Production

noreply@blogger.com (Ecacofonix) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 04:25:00 +0000

Research sponsored by the US Department of Energy has yielded a way to distinguish between groundwater and the water produced with coalbed natural gas, which could boost CBM production in Montana and Wyoming.

The breakthrough could help regulators ensure that produced water doesn’t contaminate groundwater wells, an aspect of development that has drawn fire from residents and environmental groups.

Researchers at the University of Wyoming used differences in the isotopic carbon-13 to carbon-12 ratio to differentiate between groundwater and produced water.

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Natural Gas Condensate Desulfurization Technology Breakthrough

noreply@blogger.com (Ecacofonix) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 04:19:00 +0000

In the commercial production in China gasoline desulfurization usually uses catalytic oxidization, adsorption, extractive oxidation and hydrogenation.

Southwest Research Institute of Chemical Industry has developed the technology in matter of two years. The total sulfur content in processed condensate is [less than or equal to] 35mg/L. When the sulfur content in condensate reaches [less than or equal to] 45mg/L, copper plate corrosion tests prove that it can reach gasoline application requirements.

Source

Natural Gas Cleaning - New Centrifugal Tech Might Help

noreply@blogger.com (Ecacofonix) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 04:16:00 +0000

Huge underground gas reserves, up to 16% of the total reserves, remain unused. The natural gas in these fields is too contaminated for exploitation. With existing technology, cleaning these fields is much too costly. As a result of research done by Ralph van Wissen MSc these fields may in the future become more profitable. In cooperation with Shell, Van Wissen developed a cleaning technique based on the centrifugal separation of gasses. He further built a prototype that can be scaled up to be used in producing natural gas.

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China's Long West to East Gas Pipeline

noreply@blogger.com (Ecacofonix) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 09:23:00 +0000

China's Milestone West-to-East Pipeline, One of the World's Largest Gas Transmission Projects, Again Turns to GE Oil & Gas Technology

FLORENCE, Italy, Mar 25, 2009 - GE Oil & Gas technology has again been selected for one of the largest gas transmission projects in the world. GE will be the primary supplier of compression equipment for the western section of China's second West-to-East Gas Pipeline. Since 2005, GE has been awarded bids by PetroChina worth over $600 million dollars.

Longer than the Great Wall

The second West-to-East pipeline, will be part of the ongoing natural gas pipeline infrastructure in China that, when completed over the course of the next five to six years, will total approximately 20,000 kilometers. This second pipeline, 8,700 kilometers in length, will be 2,000 kilometers longer than the Great Wall. This monumental pipeline will snake through 13 provinces and autonomous regions, and will play a vital role in supporting the country's energy security and economic development. Existing Chinese natural gas pipelines total 30,000 kilometers in length.

Providing Asia with vital energy infrastructure

This deal marks GE's third major win to support the massive Chinese pipeline network. Total GE orders are expected to be more than $600 million. Previously, the company provided equipment for the expansion of the first West-to-East pipeline project, and for two stations (including the head one) of the second West-to-East pipeline project.

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House Bill 1050 Increase Natural Gas Drilling on Pennsylvania Land

noreply@blogger.com (Ecacofonix) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 09:19:00 +0000

Press release

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 25, 2009 ----The Marcellus Shale Committee, the Independent Oil and Gas Association of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Association issued the following joint statement today regarding the introduction of House Bill 1050 (D. Reed - Indiana) to increase leasing opportunities on state forest land and provide millions of dollars in revenue from that activity to local conservation districts, municipal governments and the Commonwealth.

"Significant natural gas reserves can be found in Pennsylvania's state forest land, and the opportunities it can create for new jobs and new revenue for state and local government and conservation districts is even more significant. This industry is poised to develop these gas reserves responsibly and in cooperation with the state Bureau of Forestry and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Advances in technology, including the development of multiple wells from a single pad and horizontal drilling techniques allow for a far more efficient means of securing natural gas reserves, impacting fewer acres in development, a reduced number of roads to access this single location, fewer gathering pipelines and far less surface disturbance.

"Leasing 130,000 acres of land for three years amounts to less than 20 percent of the state's total forest resources, and will produce an indigenous source of clean energy and provide good-paying jobs to thousands of people. The distribution of funding from leasing and royalty payments among local and state governments and conservation districts ensures that revenue is directed where it can meet the needs of communities and programs that protect the environment.

"This approach to create sustainable, long-term revenue for the Commonwealth through responsible leasing of land is sound and deserves the support of the legislature."

About the Marcellus Shale Committee: Formed in 2008, the Marcellus Shale committee represents the oil and gas industry in Pennsylvania on matters pertaining to the acquisition, exploration, drilling, and development of the Marcellus Shale natural gas resource and provides a unified voice before all state, county, and local government or regulatory bodies. The committee, sponsored jointly by the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Association and the Independent Oil and Gas Association of Pennsylvania, includes independent producers with historical expertise in the Pennsylvania oil and gas fields and national companies dedicated to bringing their industry experience and resources to achieve common goals.

About IOGA-PA: The Independent Oil and Gas Association of Pennsylvania (IOGA: undefined, undefined, undefined%) is the principal non-profit trade association representing Pennsylvania's Independent oil and natural gas producers, marketers, service companies and related businesses.

About POGAM: The Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Association is the non-profit trade association of the Commonwealth's independent oil and gas producers. The association promotes the general welfare of Pennsylvania's crude oil and natural gas exploration and production industry. The association and its members are committed to the economical and environmentally responsible development, production and use of the Commonwealth's crude oil and natural gas resources.

SOURCE Marcellus Shale Committee; IOGA-PA; POGAM

Gas Hydrates - More Natural Gas Than Ever Thought Possible

noreply@blogger.com (Ecacofonix) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 09:18:00 +0000

March 23 saw 24 papers about natural gas hydrates, the frozen methane locked up in frozen deep cold water, at the American Chemical Society’s 237th National Meeting in Salt Lake City.

Known as gas hydrate, it is a frozen form of natural gas that can burst into flame at the touch of a match and show increasing promise as abundant, untapped sources of clean, sustainable energy. Those icy chunks could supplement traditional conventional natural gas sources that will become more expensive, perhaps in short supply and are being used to substitute for coal in electrical power generation and increasingly to fuel cars.

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Exxon Mobil vs Barack Obama - Who Will Win?

noreply@blogger.com (Ecacofonix) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 06:16:00 +0000

The biggest oil company in the world is also the most resistant to the shift to green energy. The White House seems determined to make Exxon Mobil’s life miserable.

What will Exxon do? Will it carry on with its head in the sand policy or will the elephant finally begin to dance?

Excellent and detailed article here

Canada, U.S. to Co-ordinate Carbon Reduction and CO2 Sequestration Projects

noreply@blogger.com (Ecacofonix) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 06:08:00 +0000

Canada and the United States will ensure there is co-ordination and no duplication in $7 billion worth of technology projects — $3.5 billion on each side of the border — aimed at reducing carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants and the Alberta oilsands, Environment Minister Jim Prentice said Tuesday.

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Speeches Like These Make People Suspicious of Oil & Gas Industries

noreply@blogger.com (Ecacofonix) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 05:53:00 +0000

Read this article on NYT - "Michele Bachmann Seeks ‘Armed and Dangerous’ Opposition to Cap-and-Trade"...and then read the comments at the end of the article.

These types of irresponsible speeches are what are making people suspicious of the real agenda of the oil and gas industry worldwide. It makes people wonder whether or not those at the helm of these industries are human beings themselves!

The Oil & Gas industry should start re-inventing itself - the faster the better - and show to the world that they care for more than money

Coal power plant Tri-State to host solar augmentation study

noreply@blogger.com (Ecacofonix) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 05:49:00 +0000

With a goal of increasing power plant efficiency while incorporating renewable technologies, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association has entered into an agreement with the Electric Power Research Institute to host a case study that is aimed at helping electric utilities add solar energy to fossil-fueled generating stations.

Tri-State’s 245-megawatt Escalante Station – a coal-based power plant located in Prewitt, N.M. – has been identified as the host facility for the study. The process to be studied involves introducing steam generated by a solar thermal field to the conventional power plant’s steam cycle to offset some of the fuel required to generate electricity.

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