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4 North American Oil & Gas Pipelines | MAY 2013 napipelines.com

FEATURES

26 2013 U.S. Oil Pipeline ReportWe’re still waiting on the Keystone XL, but there are plenty of projects keeping pipeliners busy this year.By Bradley Kramer

30 Checking IDsThe Plastic Pipe Institute has helped develop a registry to track pipe and enhance safety and accountability.By Stephen C. Cooper

34 EPS Geofoam Protects Pipelines From Earthquakes Mitigating seismic activity reduces the risk of damage and keeps infrastructure and people safe. By Terry Meier

May 2013Volume 6 Issue 5Published by Benjamin Media Inc.

North American Oil & Gas Pipelines (ISSN 2166-6334) is published twelve times per year. Copyright 2013, Benjamin Media Inc., 10050 Brecksville Rd., Brecksville, OH 44141 USA All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means without written permis-sion from the publisher. One year subscription rates: complimentary in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Single copy rate: $10. Subscriptions and classified advertising should be addressed to the Brecksville office. Periodicals Postage paid at Cleveland, Ohio and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: send Changes of Address to North American Oil & Gas Pipelines, 10050 Brecksville Road, Brecksville, OH 44141 USA.

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DEPARTMENTS 8 News

18 Project Roundup

38 Product Showcase

46 Calendar

COLUMNS 6 Editor’s Message

MARKETPLACE

45 Business Cards

46 Index of Advertisers

ON ThE COvER: Sheehan Pipe Line Construction Co. celebrates its 110th anniversary. The family-owned business is the oldest pipeline construction company in the United States.

20 Boom to BoomThroughout its history, Sheehan Pipe Line Construction Co. has treated its employees like family, which owners David Sheehan and Robert Riess say is the reason for the company’s enduring success.By Bradley Kramer

6 North American Oil & Gas Pipelines | MAY 2013

Bring on the Pipelines It’s May, and the weather is finally starting to resemble springtime, which

means summer can’t be far off. While the pipeline industry awaits the ap-proval of a certain southbound project through the plains states, the East Coast awaits a barrage of cicadas, which are expected to outnumber humans by at least 600 to 1. What are the chances these every-17-year visitors return before the Keystone XL is in service?

Despite the long delayed KXL, the pipeline construction season is just about to hit its stride. The number of projects in our Roundup on page 18 has exploded over the past few months, and new project proposals continue to roll out from various points across North America. In our quarterly Pipe-line Report on page 26, we take a closer look at many oil related pipelines expected to get under way in the United States over the next year and be-yond — yes, including the Keystone XL and its affiliate pipelines.

Judging by our research, pipeline contractors should expect to be busy this summer, as Canadian oil sands and shale oil and gas production con-tinues to ramp up. The demand for increased takeaway capacity is driving the bulk of pipeline development in today’s market, according to Rob Riess at Sheehan Pipe Line Construction Co. Additionally, pipeline integrity work remains a top priority for operators, as concerns about aging infrastructure continue to plague the industry, especially in light of the recent spills along Exxon’s Pegasus pipeline in Arkansas and Missouri. Between building new pipeline systems and improving existing infrastructure, there appears to be plenty of work to do.

Contractors like Sheehan are already busy with a variety of projects, but no other pipeline construction company in the United States can match Sheehan’s longevity. This year, the company celebrates 110 years in busi-ness. Based in Tulsa, Okla., the fourth generation family business got its start building out the pipeline infrastructure in the Southwest. Company founder Jack Sheehan was there for the start of the oil and gas pipeline industry in the United States when he worked on some of the earliest transmission lines installed in the country, emanating from the petroleum discoveries in Pennsylvania in the late 1800s. More than a century later, Sheehan’s com-pany has established a new regional office to service the Marcellus and Utica shale plays in the Northeast — right back where ole Jack got his start in the industry.

Co-owners David Sheehan, Jack’s great grandson, and Riess shared with me the story of the oldest (and one of the biggest) pipeline construction companies in the United States on page 20. The secret to the company’s suc-cess is treating its employees like family.

Nothing says family like a big summer barbecue, and the pipeline in-dustry is cooking up enough projects to go around this season. And it’s no question that they’re cooking with gas. Now, how would a cicada off the grill taste?

Brad KramerManaging [email protected]

Editor’s Message EDITORIAL

Editor: James W. [email protected]

Managing Editor: Brad [email protected]

Contributing Staff Editors:Sharon Bueno • Andrew FarrKeith Gribbins • Pam KleinekeKelly Pickerel

SALES+MARKETINGMarketing Director: Kelly [email protected]

Regional Sales Manager: Ryan [email protected]

Conferences Manager: Melanie [email protected]

Conferences Sales Coordinator: Brittany [email protected]

PRODUCTION+FULLFILLMENTProduction Manager: Chris [email protected]

Graphic ArtistsSarah HaughawoutDeb McManus • Elizabeth Stull

Web/Interactive Manager: Mark [email protected]

Audience Development Manager: Alexis [email protected]

Circulation & Fullfillment Coordinator: Lillian [email protected]

REPRINTS Wright’s Media Ph: 877-652-5295 • Fax: 281-419-5712

EDITORIAL ADvISORy BOARD Cortez Perotte Pipeline Product Engineer/Industry Representative, Caterpillar Inc.

Todd Porter Vice President of Business Development, New Century Software Inc.

Eric Skonberg Principal Engineer, Trenchless Engineering Corp.

Don W. Thorn President, Welded Construction LP

Kevin Waschuk Vice President, Waschuk Pipe Line Construction Ltd.

Bob Westphal Senior Strategic Advisor, Michels Corp.

Chief Executive Officer: Bernard P. [email protected]

Chief Operating Officer: Robert Krzys, President [email protected]

Marianne Saykes: [email protected]

10050 Brecksville Rd.Brecksville, OH 44141 USA (330) 467-7588 • Fax: (330) 468-2289 www.napipelines.com e-mail: [email protected]

NorthAmerican Oil & Gas


North America News

The Unified Command in charge of cleanup in Mayflower, Ark., initi-ated a re-entry plan for the evacuated residents in the Northwoods subdivi-sion to safely return to their homes as cleanup continues after Exxon-Mobil’s Pegasus pipeline ruptured on March 29.

“One month following the spill, we have made significant prog-ress with our recovery efforts in the Northwoods neighborhood and are hopeful we can begin to get residents back into their homes very soon,” said Faulkner County Judge Allen Dodson on April 29. “We regret that they have been displaced for so long, but we are doing our best to ensure the job is done right and done safely — something that we cannot sacrifice for the sake of expediency.”

Tree replacement and landscap-ing at the houses impacted by the oil cleanup will begin after street re-pairs, including the replacement of curbs and storm drains, are complete on North Starlite Road in the North-woods subdivision.

The re-entry plan includes step-by-step activities that evacuated residents should complete inside their homes to prepare for air monitoring and sam-pling that the U.S. Environmental Pro-tection Agency (EPA) and ExxonMobil will conduct. Final recommendations for reentry will be based on analysis of the results and coordinated by the Ar-kansas Department of Health (ADH).

In the cove, heavy debris removal is almost complete. Any remaining vis-ible oil is being cleaned up by work crews. Specific sections of the recov-ery sites will soon transition to reme-diation and restoration after thorough inspections by EPA, the Arkansas De-partment of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and Faulkner County Judge Dodson. The majority of freestanding oil has been cleaned up.

For 28 consecutive days, data from the air monitors in the Mayflower community have shown levels that

are either non-detect or below action levels established by ADH. Ongoing air quality monitoring is being con-ducted by ExxonMobil.

Based on an analysis of all sam-ples taken to date, ADEQ and Exx-

onMobil have no evidence that oil from the spill has reached the main body of Lake Conway or Palarm Creek. Air and water data are post-ed on the ADEQ website at www.adeq.state.ar.us.

Preparations Begin for Residents to Return HomeOil Spill Cleanup Operations Progress in Arkansas

Exxon cleanup continues in the marsh area between an interstate highway and the cove adjacent to Lake Conway in Mayflower, Ark. The 70-year-old Pegasus

piple ruptured on Mach 29.

Cleanup crews hope to have residents back in their homes in May after a pipeline leaked an estimated 5,000 barrels of oil in a suburb of Little Rock, Ark.


Alaska DNR, U.S. DOE Sign Unconventional Energy Agreement

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy have entered into an agreement to work together — and with potential investors — to study unconventional energy resources in Alaska’s Arctic.

The memorandum of understanding was signed in Houston by Alaska DNR commissioner Dan Sullivan and DOE Acting Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy Christopher Smith.

“This is a clear example of how the state and the federal government can work together on energy is-sues that will play a critical role in Alaska’s future,” Sullivan said. “As a state, we want to responsibly develop and commercialize all of the North Slope’s energy resources, which include gas hydrates, shale and viscous oil, and other unconventional energy re-sources. Simultaneously, the Department of Energy is strongly interested in demonstrating that these re-sources can be developed on an economic scale.”

Smith agreed, stressing the importance of forming good working relationships with state and local partners in the DOE’s efforts to “responsibly and sustainably de-velop all of America’s rich energy resources” in reference to the agreement.

“By establishing a framework for our continued work with the state of Alaska, we will advance Amer-ica’s energy development and research, including our understanding of methane hydrates — a vast, untapped potential energy resource,” Smith added.

“This agreement will help ensure Alaska continues to play a critical role in supplying America’s and the world’s energy needs.”

According to the agreement, the Alaska DNR will help the DOE with its ongoing assessment of uncon-ventional energy resources and its field evaluation of potential unconventional energy production tech-nologies on the North Slope. This includes facilitat-ing access to state lands and assisting with permitting and logistical issues, as well as providing expert re-view and interpretation of scientific data and reports by Division of Oil and Gas and Division of Geological and Geophysical Survey scientists.

Through its National Energy Technology Laboratory, the DOE will lead research and development projects and providing scientific oversight of the field studies. In the agreement, DOE commits to sharing the available technical data with the state of Alaska.

The agreement also encompasses Alaska’s conven-tional resources, allowing for the Alaska DNR and DOE to highlight the potential of all of state’s natural resources, including natural gas, gas hydrates and vis-cous oil, as important supply sources to meet domes-tic energy demands and to ensure domestic economic and energy security.

“This [agreement] highlights all of the energy re-sources of Alaska, from our huge conventional re-source fields and natural gas opportunities to unparal-leled on-shore methane hydrate resources,” Sullivan said. “It is critical for the state and DOE to work to-gether to promote all of these opportunities. Respon-sible development of conventional resources today will support research advancements and unconven-tional breakthroughs in the future.”

TT Technologies Designs Pipe Rammer for Oil & Gas Industry

TT Technologies recently introduced a pipe rammer and bentonite system package for oil and gas pipeline instal-lation projects. The pipeliner package features an 18-in. diameter Grundoram Goliath pneumatic pipe ramming sys-tem and a Grundomudd 500 bentonite mixing/delivery system.

During the ramming process the ram-mer is attached to the rear of the casing. The tool then drives the pipe through the ground with repeated percussive blows. The Goliath rammer installs steel pipes and casings with diameters from 24 to 56 in. The rammer can also be used for the slick-bore process, install-ing a bore pipe, which, when removed, pulls the product pipe into place. Ram-ming provides accurate installation of

casing in a wide range of soil without surface slump, making it ideal for instal-lations under railways and roads.

The pipeliner package is also useful in HDD assist and rescue applications.

The rammer can be used to salvage product pipe after a failed bore, install conductor barrel casings, remove stuck drill stems and assist drills during prod-uct pullback, preventing hydrolock.

New Multiphase Flow Lab to Enhance Quality Assurance

A new testing facility opened in the Netherlands in March will help the oil and gas industry to calibrate energy equipment technology. DNV KEMA, an energy consulting and testing and certification company, opened its Multi-phase Flow Laboratory (MPFL) in Groningen, Netherlands, where the facility will allow equipment manufacturers and oil and gas companies to test, validate and calibrate multi-phase technologies, such as separators and flow meters, for the production of oil and gas and the measurement and trading of gas.

As the MPFL operates in a true-to-life environment, the facility will help increase the accuracy of future multiphase flow meters, as well as the efficiency of future multiphase separators. As a result, it is expected that the economical and operational risks of oil and gas fields can be better man-aged. The new facility is part of DNV KEMA’s response to the increasing global demand and supply of gas.

One of the continuous challenges of the upstream mar-ket is to reduce costs in order to optimize the production of gas and oil fields. Technology development is one of the key drivers in optimizing and enabling growth of the upstream markets.

On the supply side, the production of gases in deep wa-ters, oil sands or shale formations is complex and needs proven high-tech equipment. As oil and gas wells typically output a fluid mixture composed of oil, natural gas, water and sand, plant operators need to know the actual flow rates of these fluids to ensure that the gas and oil quality meet the contractual requirements. Multiphase technologies help to determine these flows. By improving multiphase technologies, the technical and financial reliability of oil and gas production will increase. As a result, the downtime of production plants can be limited, the integrity and safety of the local oil and gas infrastructures improved and the life-time of an oil and gas field extended.

On the demand side, there is a growing need for gas — in particular liquefied natural gas (LNG) — for the gen-eration of power and the fuelling of growing economies. This will lead to higher intercontinental gas trading and

transmission volumes. As small deviations of large mea-sured volumes cause financial risks, the accuracy of gas meters is crucial. The MPFL is capable of validating and calibrating multiphase flow meters to ensure the quality of the measurements.

“A number of techniques exist for making these multi-phase flow measurements, but the technology is still im-mature and equipment needs to be developed further,” said Ronald ten Cate, manager of DNV KEMA’s Multiphase Flow Laboratory. “Customer feedback told us this develop-ment was being held back by a lack of suitable facilities for testing new products. A number of customers have already been contracted or have shown their interest in our new laboratory. In this respect we have a strong ambition to develop new products and services for the medium and long term globally.”

DNV KEMA has invested in the upgrade of the existing “wet gas” closed loop facility to a full Multiphase flow test lab. It will be capable of recreating the kind of conditions equipment would face in the field. This includes a full range of multiphase fluid compositions at realistic tem-peratures, pressures and flow rates. It will also accelerate industry efforts to develop standards for equipment and testing protocols.

Bosque Systems Hires McCrum as National Sales Director

Water management service pro-vider Bosque Systems has hired Paul McCrum as the company’s national sales director. Based in Fort Worth, Texas, Bosque Systems designs custom solutions for water management and treatment to the oil and natural gas industry. McCrum will be responsible for providing customer support, sales planning and sales management for the company’s lines of business.

Bosque handles and treats millions of barrels of water monthly for cur-

rent customers with cost-effective results that include environmentally friendly solutions. The company’s ser-vices comprise treatment, saltwater disposal, gathering systems and cus-tom solutions.

Originally from Northern Ire-land, McCrum graduated from the University of Ulster with a degree in business management. He joins Bosque with more than 20 years of sales management experience, including positions at such global corporations as DSV, Audi, Hertz and Continental Tire — all while re-siding in Europe.

Prior to joining Bosque Systems, McCrum was U.S. national account manager with Safety-Kleen, where he

was respon-sible for 13 states. In his new role, Mc-Crum will s u p p o r t Bosque’s rapid growth strategy and ensure the sales team is an integral part of the com-pany’s continued success.

For many years, McCrum was one of Ireland’s leading athletes, play-ing 10 years of international cricket for Ireland, including four years in South Africa and the 1998 Com-monwealth Games in Kuala Lum-pur, Malaysia.


The new testing facility designed by DNV KEMA will improve quality assurance in oil and gas infrastructure.

Miller to Host Free Welding Conference in Houston

Wisconsin-based welding equipment manufacturer Mill-er Electric Mfg. Co. will host a free event for oil and gas in-dustry professionals in Houston on June 6. The Oil and Gas Welding Technology Conference and Expo will highlight real-world cutting, heating and welding technologies that improve results, save time and reduce costs.

Events include educational seminars, live demonstra-tions and networking opportunities. The conference starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Pasadena Convention Center and is be-ing held in conjunction with Hobart Brothers, Magnaflux and E.H. Wachs. Educational seminars held throughout the day include:

• Understanding the Sources and Remedies of Hydrogen Cracking in Pipelines.

• Meeting New Filler Metal Standards for Offshore Applications.

• New Remote Control Advancements that Drive Productiv-ity, Quality and Safety.

• Reducing Turnaround Time with High Productivity Weld-ing Processes.

• Induction Heating Improves Weld Quality and Work En-vironments.

• Reducing Time and Improving Overlay/Buildup Applica-tions with Electroslag Welding (ESW) Cladding.

• Reducing Exposure to Hexavalent Chromium in Stainless Steel Welding.

• Reduce Carbon Footprint and Job Site Space Needs While Doubling Capex Efficiency with Engine-Driven Welders.

• Why Cold Cutting is the Hot Technology in Weld Prepa-ration.

The Oil and Gas Welding Technology Conference and Expo is ideal for welding engineers, research and de-velopment engineers, quality assurance managers, fleet managers, project managers, pipe shop and field manag-ers, and others in ownership/management/supervisory positions. Attendees will have the opportunity to partici-pate in live welding demonstrations at the Miller Road Show Truck and will be entered to win Cabela’s and Visa gift cards. Complimentary lunch will also be served. For more information or to register, visit www.MillerWelds.com/oilgas.

napipelines.com MAY 2013 | North American Oil & Gas Pipelines 13


Excavation Safety Event Draws 1,800 Attendees

The eighth annual CGA 811 Excavation Safety Conference and Expo proved that the underground construction indus-try is serious about safety. The event was held March 12-14 in West Palm Beach, Fla., and drew more than 1,800 people from the United States, Argentina, Australia, Canada, France, Peru and other countries.

The event featured a variety of educational sessions, key-note speakers, workshops, outdoor demonstrations and committee meetings.

“No other conference brings together in one place as many suppliers, users, technology and ideas about damage preven-tion as the annual CGA Conference,” said attendee Dona Harrington-Burns, of Colonial Pipeline Co. “It is the preemi-nent source for damage prevention information.”

Multiple organizations chose to hold key meetings in con-junction with the CGA event, including the American Petro-leum Institute (API), the National Utility Locate Contractors Association (NULCA), the Crossbore Safety Association and the Canadian Common Ground Alliance. PHMSA also held a one day public forum on One Call Law Exemptions at the same location. In addition, a group of people met informal-ly to discuss forming an International Damage Prevention Committee.

The conference featured the first ever International Lo-cate Technology Summit, hosted by NULCA, consisting of sessions, workshops, a hands-on outdoor GPR demonstra-tion by various manufacturers and other special events. Two special events that drew a great deal of attention during the conference were the New Locating Technology Forum and the Underground Safety Summit: Locating in 2020.

Six manufacturers took advantage of the opportunity of presenting at the New Locating Technology Forum, including Vivax-Metrotech, 3M Locating and Marking, SubSurface Instruments, McLaughlin Group Inc., Sen-sit Technologies and Radiodetection. Each new piece of equipment addressed specific problems with current loca-tor models, such as locating PVC and plastic pipe, indicat-

ing the direction a frequency is flowing and picking up multiple frequencies with different modes.

The Underground Safety Summit: Locating in 2020, spon-sored by One Call Concepts Inc. and Asplundh One-Call Inc., featured a panel of industry experts who discussed the future of locating. Panelists included hosts Jim Holzer, One Call Con-cepts, and Steve Rieben, Asplundh One-Call, as well as Greg Ampey, SMUD; Les Cook, NULCA Australia; Corey Willson, 3M Co.; Tim Seelig, USIC Locating Services Inc.; Dennis Ta-rosky, Utiliquest; and Dave Smith, Vivax-Metrotech Corp.

The CGA presented a number of awards at the conference. Tom Hoff, president and CEO of One Call Concepts (OCC), received the President’s Award for being a champion of dam-age prevention throughout his 50 years in the industry. Ad-ditionally, Don Heyer received the Hall of Fame Award, given to a CGA member that has served in the organization over a long period of time and whose impact has left its mark in a positive and memorable way; and Dan Maschka received the Ron Olitsky Award, given to the CGA member whose dedica-tion and service to CGA went above and beyond the call of duty throughout the year.

Tom Hoff, president and CEO of One Call Concepts (OCC), received the President’s Award, which was presented by

CGA president Bob Kipp.

Atlas Copco Marks 140th Anniversary

When Ronnie Leten rang the open-ing bell at NASDAQ stock market in New York’s Times Square on Feb. 21, the CEO of Atlas Copco also marked his company’s 140th anniversary. The bell ringing signified the beginning of the day’s trading and the start of a year-long anniversary celebration for Atlas Copco. Maureen Ellis, an em-ployee of more than 40 years, joined Leten at the event, along with select customers and other company man-agement and stakeholders.

Headquartered in Sweden, Atlas Copco began in 1873 with an idea that the country should become more self-sufficient in railroad building. But as the years passed, the company di-versified its product portfolio to ser-

vice a variety of markets, including the oil and gas industry.

The growth of Atlas Copco is also widely accredited to the founding Wal-lenberg family. It is said that without the family’s belief in the company and its sometimes unorthodox decisions, Atlas Copco would probably not exist today.

“From our beginning in 1873 as a manufacturer of products for the rail-road industry, we have expanded and adapted to hold world-leading positions

in compressed air and gas equipment, construction and mining equipment, industrial tools and assembly systems,” said Jim Levitt, president of Atlas Copco North America. “The United States is the group’s largest single market and North America contributes about one-fifth of our overall revenue. The best way to celebrate 140 years in business is to ac-knowledge the customers that make it possible. We sincerely thank each and every one of them for their business.”


New Low PSI Vehicle Aimed at Oil, Gas Industry

PipeLine Machinery International (PLM-Cat) has an-nounced the release of the Panther T8 by Prinoth. The Pan-ther T8 operates in off-road and various weather conditions offering exceptional performance and versatility in mining, construction, oil and gas as well as electric utility sectors.

From construction to right-of-way maintenance, in the middle of nowhere or within city limits, the Panther T8 has the toughness, tenacity and reliability you need in a crawler.

The Panther T8 is the newest low ground pressure vehicle with features that include:

• Cat C7 ACERT engine model, producing 225 hp.

• Highest payload capacity in its class.

• Two-person cab option.

• Large deck space.

• Safety: Standard roll over protection structure (ROPS); op-tional falling object protective structure (FOPS)

The suspension of the Panther T8 includes large wheels for better stability, a dynamic track tension, and oil bath type wheel hubs that prevent freezing. The off-road capa-bilities are determined by the Panther T8 crawler’s traction, which is a thread pattern allowing for side hill grip and no damage to pavement, and a low ground pressure of 4.09 psi. The ground clearance, torque pull ratio and length versus the width are also contributing factors for the machine’s

ability to go where you work, no matter where that is.Working with Prinoth and Vanguard Equipment Inc.,

PLM has three custom equipment options available for the Panther T8:

• Crane and flat deck with removable sides.

• Weld deck to include continuous powered welding and canopy.

• Dumper box.

The crane/flat deck and dump box options are immedi-ately available. The weld deck with canopy option will be available June 2013.

NACE International Announces New Director of Education

NACE International, the Corrosion Society, has appointed Matthew M. Miller as director of education.

Miller joins NACE International af-ter 12 years with SAE International, where he served as director of the SAE Foundation and Pre-Professional Programs. He was responsible for set-ting strategic direction and overseeing operations and fundraising activities of the SAE Foundation and its related entities, including the award-winning

A World In Motion (AWIM) and Col-legiate Design Series programs. His areas of expertise include strategic planning, development and admin-istration of education programs, pro-gram management, improving opera-tional efficiencies and working with volunteer leaders and members.

“Matt’s leadership and fresh per-spective will be an asset to NACE educational programming,” said Bob Chalker, NACE executive director. “His wealth of knowledge and experi-ence could not be a better fit for our organization as we strive to meet the growing education needs of corrosion professionals worldwide.”

Miller holds master’s degrees in

nonprofit management from Robert Morris University and in in-structional technology from Duquesne Univer-sity. He will be working from the NACE Interna-tional Headquarters office in Houston.

“I’m excited to join an organization with such strong education programs, an actively involved membership and extensive global reach,” Miller said. “I look forward to working directly with members, stakeholders and NACE staff to further the organization’s vi-sion for making corrosion education accessible globally.”

North American Pipeline Project Roundup

Listings Contributed by

The following oil and gas pipeline projects have been announced. Projects are in order of most recent approximate starting date. All projects are for 2013 unless noted.

Apex Pipeline Services Inc. was awarded a contract by EQT Gathering to install and test approximately 16 miles of 20-in. pipeline in Wetzel and Doddridge counties, W.Va. Headquarters is Hastings, W.Va. The superintendent is Bob Keaton. Approximate start date: April 29.

Midwest Underground Inc. was awarded a contract by Oneok to install a 6-in. compressor in Will County, Ill. Headquarters is unknown. The superintendent is Shaun Tippie. Approximate start date: April 24.

Foltz Welding Ltd. (d/b/a Continental Pipeline Services) was award-ed a contract by Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Co. for the following: 1) perform anomaly digs on 24- and 26-in. pipelines in Cass County, Mo., Harvey and Reno counties, Kan., and Wood County, Okla.; and 2) perform hydrostatic testing on 20 miles of 26-in. pipeline in Reno County, Kan. Headquarters is unknown. The superintendent is Joe Pennington. Approximate start date: April 23.

Letourneau Products Mfg. Corp. was awarded a contract by Price Gregory International Inc. for clearing, grubbing and matting on approxi-mately 14.8 miles of 24-in. pipeline right of way in Montgomery, Bath and Rowan counties, Ky. Headquarters is Morehead, Ky. The superintendent is Mark A. Letourneau. Approximate start date: April 22.

Northern Clearing Inc. was awarded a contract by EQT Corp. to clear approximately 16 miles of 24-in. pipeline right of way in Wetzel and Dod-dridge counties, W.Va. Headquarters is unknown. The superintendent is Dennis Bergman. Approximate start date: April 22.

R.L. Coolsaet Construction Co. was awarded a contract by Consumers Energy to install two 24-in. launchers and receivers in Oakland County, Mich. Headquarters is unknown. The superintendent is Bart Jeannette. Approximate start date: April 22.

R.L. Coolsaet Construction Co. was awarded a contract by Con-sumers Energy to install one 20-in. launcher, remove and replace three mainline valves, install two mainline valves and 250 ft of 20-in. pipeline, remove and replace one 20-in. tee in Washtenaw and Liv-ingston counties, Mich. Headquarters is Chelsea, Mich. The superin-tendent is Joe Elliott. Approximate start date: April 22.

Sheehan Pipe Line Construction Co. was awarded a contract by Sunoco Pipeline LP to install 3.83 miles of 10-in. pipeline in Beaver County, Pa. Headquarters is Monaca, Pa. The superintendent is Gerald Hill. Approximate start date: April 22.

Snelson Companies Inc. was awarded a contract by Pacific Gas and Electric to perform hydrostatic testing on 5 miles of 8-in. pipeline in Stanislaus County, Calif. Headquarters is unknown. The superintendent is Mark LaRue. Approximate start date: April 22.

Utility Services Authority LLC was awarded a contract by Michels Corp. to install approximately 2,400 ft of 30-in. pipeline via directional drilling in Bradford County, Pa. Headquarters is unknown. The superintendent is Erv Yoder. Approximate start date: unknown (announced April 22).

Indianhead Pipeline Services LLC was awarded a contract by Price Gregory International Inc. to spray foam breakers and pillows for 6 miles of 8 and 16-in. pipelines in Lycoming County, Pa. Headquarters is Cogan Station, Pa. The superintendent is Mike McGill. Approximate start date: April 20.

Henkels McCoy Inc. was awarded a contract by Buckeye to perform anomaly digs on 8- and 10-in. pipelines in Lancaster and Dauphin counties, Pa. Headquarters is unknown. The superintendent is James Baron. Approximate start date: April18.

Laney Directional Drilling Co. was awarded a contract by Energy Services South to install approximately 2.03 miles of 24-in. pipeline via directional drilling in Jackson County, Miss. Headquarters is on the jobsite. The superintendent is Steve Dodd. Approximate start date: April 18.

Dun Transportation & Stringing Inc. was awarded a contract by Stupp Corp. to offload and stockpile 15 miles of 30-in. pipe in Bell County, Texas. Headquarters is the pipe yard. The superintendent is Johnny Denton. Approximate start date: April 16.

Foltz Welding Ltd. (d/b/a Continental Pipeline Services) was awarded a contract by Southern Star Pipeline Co. to install a 4-in. meter station in Osage County, Kan. Headquarters is unknown. The superintendent is Billy D. Grimes. Approximate start date: April 15.

Laney Directional Drilling Co. was awarded a contract by Conestoga-Rover & Assoc-Wolverine Pipeline Project to install 1,19 I ft of 8-in. pipeline via directional drilling in Ottawa County, Mich. Headquarters is on the jobsite. The superintendent is James Bond. Approximate start date: April 15.

Laney Directional Drilling Co. was awarded a contract by ExxonMobil-Red River Pipeline Replacement Project to install 3,291 ft of 20-in. pipeline via directional drilling in Little River County, Ark., and Bowie County, Texas. Headquarters is on the jobsite. The superintendent is David Sewell. Approximate start date: April 15.

Laney Directional Drilling Co. was awarded a contract by Williams-Palmerton Loop project to install 1,423 ft of 42-in. pipeline via directional drilling in Monroe County, Pa. Headquarters is on the jobsite. The superintendent is Shelton “Bubba” Carlisle. Approximate start date: April 15.

Minnesota Limited LLC was awarded a contract by Centerpoint Energy-Minnegasco to replace approximately 1.6 miles of 20-in. pipeline in Hennepin County, Minn. Headquarters is Big Lake, Minn. The superintendent is Ron Piescher. Approximate start date: April 15.

Pe Ben USA Inc. was awarded a contract by Rockford Corp. to string approximately 118 miles of 20-in. pipe from Muskingum to Clinton counties, Ohio. Headquarters is Circleville, Ohio. The superintendent is Jimmy Gregory. Approximate start date: April 15.

Pedero Pipe Support Systems USA was awarded a contract by Michels Corp. to spray foam breakers and pillows for 9 miles of 16-in. pipeline in Richie County, W.Va. Headquarters is Pennsboro, W.Va. The superintendent is Brian Smith. Approximate start date: April 15.

Right-of-Way Clearing & Maintenance Inc. was awarded a contract by Otis Eastern Service Inc. to clear approximately 1.21 miles of 8-in. pipeline right of way in Westmoreland County, Pa. Headquarters is unknown. The superintendent is Neil E. Kinneer. Approximate start date: in mid-April (announced April 15).


Welded Construction LP was awarded a contract by Blue Racer Midstream LLC to install 12.2 miles of 16-in. pipeline in Tuscarawas and Harrison counties, Ohio. Headquarters is Cadiz, Ohio. The superintendent is Rob Seebeck. Approximate start date: April15.

Welded Construction LP was awarded a contract by Williams Gas Pipe Line – TRANSCO to install approximately 2.2 miles of 42-in. pipeline in Lycoming County, Pa. Headquarters is Hughesville, Pa. The superintendent is Gary Gavlock. Approximate start date: April 15.

U.S. Pipeline Inc. was awarded a contract by Williams Northwest Pipeline to perform hydrostatic testing on 6.12 miles of 26-in. pipeline in three segments in Grand County, Utah, and Montezuma and La Plata counties, Colo. Headquarters is Moab, Utah. The superintendent is Dana Bratcher. Approximate start date: April 15.

InterCon Construction Inc. was awarded a contract by Antero Resources/Blueflame Pipeline to install 4,400 ft of 20-in. pipeline and 2,200 ft of 16-in. pipeline via three directional drills in Doddridge County, W.Va. Headquarters is unknown. The superintendent is Joe Schmelzer. Approximate start date: April 11.

Snelson Companies Inc. was awarded a contract by TransCanada to install approximately 1,600 ft of 24-in. pipeline via directional drilling in Nodaway and Holt counties, Mo. Headquarters is unknown. The superintendent is Rick Melroy. Approximate start date: April 10.

Apex Pipeline Services Inc. was awarded a contract by Eureka Hunter to install and test approximately 2 miles of 20-in. pipeline in Monroe County, Ohio. Headquarters is near Sardis, Ohio. The superintendent is Cecil Hill. Approximate start date: April 8.

Dun Transportation & Stringing Inc. was awarded a contract by Enbridge to offload and stockpile various diameters of pipe in Douglas County, Wis. Headquarters is the pipe yard. The superintendent is Mike Bruce. Approximate start date: April 8.

Northern Clearing Inc. was awarded a contract by Michels Corp. to clear approximately 21 miles of 30-in. pipeline right of way in Bradford, Wayne and Pike counties, Pa. Headquarters is unknown. The superintendent is Rod Grubisic. Approximate start date: unknown (announced April 8).

Pipeline Energy Group Inc. (d/b/a Carl Smith Pipeline) was awarded a contract by Antero Resources to install approximately 16.87 miles of 24-in. pipeline in Doddridge County, W.Va. Headquarters is West Union, W.Va. The superintendent is Eddie Smith. Approximate start date: April 8.

Pipeline Energy Group Inc. (d/b/a Carl Smith Pipeline) was awarded a contract by Crestwood Midstream to install 12.5 miles of 20-in. pipeline in Doddridge County, W.Va. Headquarters is West Union, W.Va. The superintendent is Eddie Smith. Approximate start date: April 8.

R.L. Coolsaet Construction Co. was awarded a contract by Sun Pipeline Co. to fabricate and install one 12-in. launcher and metering facility in St. Clair County, Mich., and one 12-in. launcher, metering facility and crossover piping in Monroe County, Mich. All fabrication work is to be done in Wayne County, Mich. Headquarters is Romulus, Mich., for fabrication and unknown for the installation. The superintendents are Butch Johnson, Randy Recker and Bart Jeannette. Approximate start date: April 8.

Snelson Companies Inc. was awarded a contract by Pacific Gas and Electric to remove and replace a 24-in. valve on a meter run, to hydrotest 2 miles of 16-in. pipeline and a valve set and to install 2 miles of 24-in. pipeline in Fresno County, Calif. Headquarters is unknown. The superintendents are David Wix and Lou McMullen. Approximate start dates: April 2 and April 8.

Northern Clearing Inc. was awarded a contract by Sheehan Pipe Line Construction Co. for clearing of approximately 14 miles of 20-in. pipeline right of way in Davidson County, Tenn. Headquarters is unknown. The superintendent is Duanne Kmieciak. Approximate start date: April 6.

Midwest Underground Inc. was awarded contracts by Northern Natural for the following: 1) install a 10-in. launcher in Boone County, Iowa. Headquarters is unknown. The superintendent is Mark Weber. And 2) to install approximately 131 ft of 4- and 8-in. pipeline in Wright and Martin counties, Minn. Headquarters is unknown. The superintendent is Ken Leslein. Approximate start dates: 1) April 3 and 2) March 25.

Gabe’s Construction Co. Inc. was awarded a contract by Linde Corp. to install approximately 1,250 ft of 10-in. pipeline via directional drilling in Bradford County, Pa. Headquarters is on the jobsite. The superintendent is Steve Huibregtse. Approximate start date: April 2.

Letourneau Products Mfg. Corp. was awarded a contract by Welded Construction LP for clearing, grubbing and matting on approximately 5.34 miles of 6-, 8- and 12-in. pipeline right of way in Bradford County, Pa. Headquarters is Wysox, Pa. The superintendent is Mark A. Letourneau. Approximate start date: April 1.

ProFoam LLC was awarded a contract by Otis Eastern Service Inc. to spray polyurethane foam trench breakers and pipe pads for 10 miles of 10-in. pipeline in Beaver County, Pa. Headquarters is McDonald, Pa. The superintendent is Stuart Teague. Approximate start date: April 1.

Sheehan Pipe Line Construction Co. was awarded a contract by Piedmont Natural Gas Co. to install 13.5 miles of 20-in. pipeline and 1.5 miles of 12-in. pipeline in Davidson County, Tenn. Headquarters is Antioch, Tenn. The superintendent is Gary “Cotton” Jordan. Approximate start date: unknown (announced April 1).

T.G. Mercer Consulting Services Inc. was awarded a contract by Stupp Corp. to offload and rack 250 miles of 20-in. pipe in Saline, Butler and Cowley counties, Kan., and Payne and Lincoln counties, Okla. Headquarters is unknown. The superintendents are Bruce Munro and Barry Bleeker. Approximate start date: April 1.

Welded Construction LP was awarded a contract by Access Midstream Partners LP to install 1.91 miles of 12-in. pipeline, 2.95 miles of 8-in. pipeline and 2,140 ft of 6-in. pipeline in Bradford County, Pa. Headquarters is unknown. The superintendent is Joe Carter. Approximate start date: March 28.

Pedero Pipe Support Systems USA was awarded a contract by Price Gregory International Inc. to spray foam breakers and pillows for 17 miles of 10-in. pipeline in Washington County, Pa. Headquarters is Burgettstown, Pa. The superintendent is Eric Pickett. Approximate start date: March 27.

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Send submissions to Managing Editor Brad Kramer at [email protected] with the subject heading “Project Roundup.”


Pennsylvania’s energy indus-try is booming, just like it was when John “Jack” Shee-han moved to Bradford, Pa.,

at the age of 22. A dozen years later he will get his first crack at laying pipeline for the United Natural Gas Co. Once complete, the project will be recognized as the longest natural gas pipeline in the world at 87 miles, from McKean County in Pennsylvania to Buffalo, N.Y. The year is 1886.

Jack Sheehan was born in New York City in 1852. After his fateful experi-ence in Pennsylvania, where the U.S. energy industry was born, he followed the work to the next oil and gas boom

in the Southwest. In 1903, he moved to Oklahoma and formed Sheehan Pipe Line Construction Co. The com-pany laid some of the first pipelines in the midcontinent region while work-ing for such industry pioneers as Josh-ua Cosden, who was reported to have earned and lost two fortunes in the oil industry, and Harry F. Sinclair, who started Sinclair Oil Corp. and made the company’s “Dino” dinosaur logo a household image.

As the search for oil and gas took Jack Sheehan and his gang across the United States, he built the company’s reputation and formed strong ties with those early industry leaders. Sheehan

Pipe Line Construction built thou-sands of miles of pipelines for compa-nies like Empire Pipe Line Co., Prairie Oil & Gas Co. and Stanolind Pipeline Co. Now, 110 years after Jack Sheehan founded the company, the family-owned business lives on, as his great grandson, Robert D. “David” Sheehan Jr., represents the fourth generation to run the company.

Sheehan Pipe Line Construction is recognized as the oldest pipeline construction company in the United States. With so many companies com-ing and going in that time, chairman and co-owner David Sheehan says the company outlasted the competition


Boom to Boom Sheehan Pipe Line Construction Co.

Celebrates 110 YearsBy Bradley Kramer

“through the unwavering commit-ment of its management to its peo-ple.” Its people are part of the family.

“Sheehan has always considered the men and women who worked for it our greatest asset, and they have never let us down even in the middle of the Great Depression when there were only two employees,” David Sheehan says. Today, the company employs 88 full-time workers and up to 2,000 more dur-ing the height of construction season.

Based in Tulsa, Okla., Sheehan oper-ates throughout the lower 48 states. Over the last century and a decade, the com-

pany has constructed more than 23,000 miles of pipeline and experienced all the changes in the industry, from improved installation techniques and better equip-ment to the growing concern about safe-ty and pipeline integrity.

One of the biggest shifts in the pipe-line industry over the last 10 years has been the discovery of shale oil and gas, which is driving pipeline construction throughout the United States, says Rob-ert A. Riess Sr., president, CEO and part owner of Sheehan Pipe Line Construc-tion. Along with increased production of Canadian oil sands, the shale plays

are changing the nature of energy sup-ply in North America. Throughout all the changes in the industry, however, Sheehan has remained a constant.

The Family LineDavid Sheehan grew up in the pipe-

line business. He worked summers in the field while going to college. His father, Robert D. “Bob” Sheehan Sr., managed the company for more than 52 years until his death in 1998.

Bob Sheehan was the son of John B. Sheehan, one of two sons — the other being Ray Sheehan — who inherited the


MEET DAVID SHEEHANRepresenting the fourth generation to run the family business, Sheehan is the chairman and co-owner of Sheehan Pipe Line Construction. He first started working at the company while he was in college when his father, Bob Sheehan, ran the business.

company from their founding father, Jack Sheehan. Ray and John B. Shee-han shepherded the family business through extensive growth years of the U.S. pipeline grid. During their reign, the company was among the first to install major cross-country gas trans-mission lines from the Hugoton Basin in Kansas to the Midwest and the East Coast. During World War II, the com-pany contributed to the completion of the historic War Emergency Pipelines, which established an interior transpor-tation network and helped secure U.S. fuel supply from attack by Nazi U-boats.

During the 1950s and 1960s, Bob Sheehan made the company a truly national contractor, working for al-most every major oil and gas transpor-tation company in the United States, installing a large portion of the pipe-line infrastructure that now crisscross-

es the country. Bob’s son was soon be-ing groomed as a successor.

After college, David joined his father’s company full time and worked up the ladder from foreman, parts manager, project manager, superintendent until becoming a partner in the business in 1976. He became assistant managing partner around 1990, he says, before tak-ing over the company eight years later.

Over the next decade, Sheehan would continue to grow, taking on bigger and bigger projects. In 2009, David sold the company to GFI Energy, but he remained on the board of directors. In 2011, he and Riess bought the company back.

Riess has twice been part of the Sheehan family. In his 35-year ca-reer in the pipeline industry, he has only worked for three companies. He started his career right out of college at Texas Eastern Transmission Corp.,

working there from 1979 until he joined Sheehan for the first time in 1991. In 1995, Riess left to work at a competitor, ARB Inc., then returned to Sheehan in 2004.

Today, Sheehan Pipe Line Construc-tion is not only the oldest pipeline con-tracting company in the United States, but it’s also among the largest. The com-pany boasts an equipment investment that exceeds $45 million, with more than 250 major pieces of equipment and more than 250 trucks to complete the jobs that were once done by horse and ox. Still, the thing that endures is the company’s sense of family.

“As we said before, our people are like family to us,” David Sheehan says. “We treat them just like Jack Sheehan treated his crews, knowing that in or-der for him to profit, his men had to be motivated to do his work on sched-


MEET ROBERT RIESSA 35-year veteran of the pipeline industry, Riess is the president, CEO and co-owner of Sheehan Pipe Line Construction. He spent a brief period in the 1990s with the company, then rejoined the Sheehan family for good in 2004.

A lot has changed in the pipeline industry over the last 110 years that Sheehan Pipe Line

Construction has been in the business. One thing that remains is the focus on quality workmanship.

ule and on budget. To get that, you have to have a great relationship with all your workers, just like a family.”

Riess agrees, calling the company’s employees its “No. 1 asset.” Through-out the year, the company sponsors a number of events for its employees, such as attending minor league base-ball games and company meetings.

“From my perspective, it’s pretty simple,” Riess continues. “Working for a family-owned business truly teaches you what people are all about, from the generosity of people to how the company operates. Sheehan cares how its people are treated. We’re all part of a family. I have been part of the family with the fourth and fifth generation. It’s all about the people you’re surrounded by and being part of their lives, not just in a business sense but personally as well.”

Those family values are instilled in how Sheehan operates as a company and is a core part of its success.

“For us, we like to keep things simple, and I mean simple to the extent that our core workforce understands where we are going as a company,” Riess says. “We have three guiding principles that everyone knows. First is to do the job right the first time. Some people might relate that to quality control and other fancy buzzwords. Second, be yours and your brother’s keeper. Some say that’s just part of some big fancy safety pro-gram. The third principle is two-way communication, which without having that from the top down and the bottom up, you can’t have the other two. That’s what we talk about to our team mem-bers and our customers, and people can relate to that. It seems to motivate them and make them feel part of the team.”

Market Shift Jack Sheehan moved to the South-

west and based his company in Tulsa because that’s where a majority of the pipeline work originated for many de-cades. Recently, though, the industry has started to shift.

“The biggest change we’ve seen in the past decade has been a result of these shale plays that have been dis-covered and developed by the pro-ducers,” Riess says. “Ultimately, the work that we did back in 2006-2007 to build takeaway pipelines out of the

Barnett, Haynesville and Fayetteville regions created a need for large diame-ter pipelines in 2008-2009. Back then, we thought we were nearing the de-pletion of our natural gas resources.”

The more recent development of the Marcellus, Utica, Eagle Ford and Bakken shale regions has created a demand for new pipeline construction, as well as the need to retrofit older pipelines and facilities to facilitate exporting natural gas products, Riess adds. Furthermore, recent pipeline mishaps and concerns about aging infrastructure have created increased demand for robust integrity

management programs to ensure the safety of existing pipelines.

“The industry has experienced some significant devastating pipeline fail-ures, such as the oil spill last year in the Kalamazoo River, the tragic explosions in San Bruno, Calif., and Allentown, Pa., and the events just recently in Mayflower, Ark. These events change the way we look at pipeline safety and challenge operators to see that they’re doing things the right way,” Riess says. “The pipeline work in the United States today is really two-fold. There’s the new construction as a result of the



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shale plays, and then there’s up-keep and maintenance on the ex-isting pipelines.”

Between the projections of the amount of shale gas that’s com-ing out of the Marcellus and Utica plays and the contracts that in-volve pipeline integrity, Riess sees “tremendous longevity” for pipe-line work in the United States for “many years to come.”

Some examples of the type of contracts Sheehan is getting in re-cent years is one the company has undertaken in a residential area of Nashville, Tenn. Sheehan is build-ing a new pipeline to replace an ex-isting line that PHMSA deemed not up to code. Additionally, the con-tractor completed five jobs last year for Kinder Morgan that involved taking 30 miles of pipeline out of service to perform hydrostatic test-ing, dewatering the lines and then placing them back in service. In the process, Sheehan also removed and replaced old valves to upgrade

them to accept pigs for cleaning and inspection.

“Those two projects are clas-sic examples of what makes us unique,” Riess says. “The projects we did for Kinder Morgan were $1.5 million contracts. The job in Nash-ville is $60 million. No job is too small and no job is too large that we’re willing to undertake. We have people in our organization who can lay 100 miles of 36-in. pipeline, and we have people who can lay three miles of 10-in. pipeline. You have to have enough tools in the tool-box to address a variety of projects in this industry.”

The effectiveness of a tool is in part a result of being in the right place at the right time. To that end, Sheehan has branched out from its Tulsa headquarters. The company has a maintenance facility and repair shop in Lawrenceville, Ill., where a crew of 12 to 14 take care of the equipment fleet. In the last three months, Sheehan has opened

“Our people are like family to us.

We treat them just like Jack Sheehan treated his crews,

knowing that in order for him to

profit, his men had to be motivated

to do his work on schedule and on

budget. To get that, you have to have a great relationship

with all your workers.”

—David Sheehan


a new regional office in Belpre, Ohio, to better address demand in the shale plays in the Northeast.

In a way, Sheehan has now come full circle. Belpre is a just few hundred miles southwest from Bradford, Pa., where a young Jack Sheehan got his first taste of the pipeline industry that has provided a steady livelihood for his family for the last 110 years.

“The employees of team Sheehan are proud of our 110 years of exis-tence,” Riess says. “We’re proud of the reputation and the name we have in the industry. And we hope to contin-ue that for another 110 years.”

Bradley Kramer is managing editor of North American Oil & Gas Pipelines. Contact him by email at [email protected].

Sheehan Pipe Line Construction has installed more than 23,000 miles of pipeline throughout the United States over the last century and a decade.

year ago, when North American Oil & Gas Pipe-lines published this re-port, all the pipeline talk

surrounded the ongoing drama of TransCanada’s Keystone XL Pipeline, which has undergone more than five years of public scrutiny and govern-mental review. Little has changed.

A year ago, TransCanada resubmit-ted its application for a Presidential Permit from the U.S. State Depart-ment. In January, Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman approved the proposed route, which led to the State Depart-ment releasing a draft environmental statement that stated that the project would pose “no significant impacts” to the resources in Nebraska.

A year ago, TransCanada expected

Keystone XL to be in service by the end of 2013, but as the company awaits approval of the Presidential Permit — perhaps this year? — it has pushed back the projected in-service date to 2015. As the company awaits that decision, it has moved forward with two other pipeline projects that will become part of the Keystone system, the Gulf Coast Pipeline and Houston Lateral projects.

Meanwhile, the summer construc-tion season is starting to heat up, and pipeline contractors aren’t sitting on their hands waiting around for news from the State Department. They’re busy expanding the capacity the U.S. oil transportation infrastructure, in-creasing access to resources from the Bakken shale formation, as well as re-

serves in the Permian Basin and other systems that bring Canadian crude into the marketplace. What follows is an overview of many of the oil re-lated projects currently under way or in the permitting process.

Cactus PipelineLocation: Texas Stakeholder(s): Plains All American Pipeline LPOverview: A new 310-mile, 20-in. crude oil pipeline from McCamey to Gardendale, Texas, the Cactus Pipeline is expected to be placed into service in the first quarter of 2015. Plains All American Pipeline (PAA) has entered into a letter of intent with a third par-ty regarding a long-term commitment for a majority of the pipeline’s capac-

Pipeline Season Heating Up as Keystone Awaits ApprovalA Sneak Peak at U.S. Oil Pipeline Projects in 2013 and Beyond By Bradley Kramer

2013 U.S. OIL PIPELINE REPORT p

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ity and is in discussions with several potential shippers for the remaining capacity. The total project investment is expected to range from $350 mil-lion to $375 million. The pipeline is expected to transport both sweet and sour crude oil from the Permian Basin to the PAA/Enterprise Products Part-ners Eagle Ford Joint Venture Pipeline, which serves the Three Rivers and Corpus Christi markets and can sup-ply the Houston-area market through a connection to the Enterprise South Texas Crude Oil Pipeline. Crude oil delivered on Cactus will have access to rail loading capacity at PAA’s Gar-dendale station and access to barge dock facilities in the Corpus Christi area. The Cactus Pipeline will initially be designed to provide approximate-ly 200,000 barrels per day (bpd) of capacity and can be increased as de-mand warrants.

Flanagan South PipelineLocation: Flanagan, Ill., to Cushing, Okla.Stakeholder(s): Enbridge Energy Co. Inc. Overview: Enbridge is proposing to build a nearly 600-mile, 36-in. diam-eter interstate crude oil pipeline that will originate in Flanagan, Ill., and

terminate in Cushing, Okla., crossing Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Okla-homa. The majority of the pipeline will parallel Enbridge’s existing Spear-head crude oil pipeline right of way. Enbridge has also proposed to install seven pump stations including one at the Flanagan terminal and six along the pipeline route. Initial capacity will be 585,000 bpd. The pipeline will pro-vide the additional capacity needed to bring increased North American crude oil production to refinery hubs in the U.S. Gulf Coast. The project will pro-vide a long-term, stable and reliable source of energy for the United States, and communities located along the pipeline route will benefit from prop-erty taxes over the life of the pipe-line, as well as from the creation of high-paying construction and manu-facturing jobs and associated eco-nomic activity during construction. Construction is expected to begin in summer 2013, with an expected in-service date of summer 2014.

Freedom PipelineLocation: Texas to CaliforniaStakeholder(s): Kinder Morgan Overview: Kinder Morgan Freedom

Pipeline LLC, a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, is conduct-ing a binding open season for a proj-ect in which the company proposes to convert an existing natural gas pipe-line to crude oil service in order to move crude from the Permian Basin of West Texas to refining complexes in northern and southern California. The project also involves Kinder Mor-gan constructing new crude oil pipe-line segments in Texas and California and building operational tank facili-ties in the receipt area of Wink, Texas, and at the points of delivery in Cali-fornia. Subject to shipper support, reg-ulatory approval and necessary capital improvements, Kinder Morgan could begin moving up to 277,000 bpd of crude oil shipments in the late fourth quarter of 2016.

Gulf Coast PipelineLocation: Cushing, Okla., to Nederland, TexasStakeholder(s): TransCanadaOverview: The Gulf Coast Pipeline project is an approximate 485-mile, 36-in. crude oil pipeline beginning in Cushing and extending south to Nederland to serve the Gulf Coast


marketplace. The 48-mile Houston Lateral Project is an additional proj-ect under development to transport oil to refineries in the Houston area. The Gulf Coast Project will have the initial capacity to transport 700,000 bpd and can be expanded to trans-port 830,000 bpd to Gulf Coast refin-eries. Construction began in August 2012, with an in-service date expect-ed later this year.

Houston Lateral ProjectLocation: HoustonStakeholder(s): TransCanadaOverview: The Houston Lateral is a 48-mile crude oil pipeline built to ser-vice the Houston marketplace. Upon completion, the project will join the TransCanada’s Gulf Coast Pipeline as an integrated part of the Keystone Pipeline System. Houston Lateral’s route is expected to go through the counties of Liberty, Chambers and Harris to Houston’s refining center. Construction was set to begin in the first quarter of 2013 with operations to commence in early 2014.

Keystone XL Pipeline Location: Alberta to U.S. Midwest and SoutheastStakeholder(s): TransCanadaOverview: The Keystone XL Pipeline Project is a proposed 1,179-mile, 36-in. diameter crude oil pipeline from Hardisty, Alberta, to Steele City, Neb. At an estimated cost of $5.3 billion (USD), the pipeline will transport crude oil from Canada, as well as the Bakken shale region of Montana and North Dakota. The pipeline will have capacity to transport 830,000 bpd to Gulf Coast and Midwest refineries, re-ducing American dependence on oil from Venezuela and the Middle East by up to 40 percent. In May 2012, TransCanada filed a new application for a Presidential Permit with the U.S. Department of State, a requirement for building any cross-border pipeline, while proceeding with the southern portion of its Keystone expansion as a separate project, the Gulf Coast Pipe-line. In January 2013, Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman approved TransCana-da’s proposed route through the Corn-husker state. On March 1, the State Department released a Draft Supple-mentary Environmental Impact State-ment (Draft SEIS) on Keystone XL that reaffirmed “there would be no signifi-cant impacts to most resources along the proposed project route.” With an anticipated decision on the Presi-

dential Permit this year, the Keystone XL Pipeline has a projected in-service date of 2015.

Parkway PipelineLocation: Norco, La., to Collins, Miss.Stakeholder(s): Kinder Morgan and ValeroOverview: Kinder Morgan and Valero are partnering in the formation of Parkway Pipeline LLC for the purpose of constructing, owning and operating a proposed 141-mile, 16-in. diameter underground pipeline that will origi-nate in Norco and terminate at an in-terconnect with existing petroleum fa-cilities in Collins. Parkway will enable the transportation of refined liquid petroleum products, including gaso-line, diesel fuel and turbine fuel, from existing refineries in the Norco area to existing facilities in Collins, Miss. These products can then be distrib-uted locally or injected into existing pipelines for distribution throughout the southeastern United States. Kind-er Morgan will serve as construction manager and operator of the pipeline.

Construction began in August 2012, and operations are expected to begin in September.

Pony Express Crude Oil ProjectLocation: Guernsey, Wyo., to Ponco City and Cushing, Okla.Stakeholder(s): Kinder MorganOverview: The Pony Express Pipeline will convert approximately 500 miles of part of the Kinder Morgan Inter-state Gas Pipeline system, plus a 210-mile greenfield extension from cen-tral Kansas to Cushing. The 710-mile project will transport light crude that may be received from various sources near Guernsey, including intercon-nects with the Platte Pipeline and the Bridger-Butte Pipeline, as well as a potential new receipt point in the Denver Julesburg Basin/Niobrara area in northeastern Colorado. The proj-ect will offer shippers greater access to Cushing from several different production areas, while providing re-finers with a reliable, source of crude oil. Kinder Morgan secured sufficient project support to transport 230,000


THE KEySTOnE

SySTEm

bpd. Operations are expected to be-gin in the third quarter of 2014.

Sandpiper PipelineLocation: North Dakota, WisconsinStakeholder(s): Enbridge Overview: The Sandpiper Pipeline proj-ect is an approximately 560-mile inter-state crude oil pipeline originating at Enbridge’s Beaver Lodge Station south of Tioga, N.D. The project will bring growing supplies of North Dakota crude oil to an existing terminal owned by an Enbridge affiliate in Superior, Wis. The Sandpiper Pipeline will generally follow Enbridge’s existing pipelines and other utilities. From Superior, the oil will be transported by Enbridge and other in-terconnected pipelines to refinery hubs in the United States and eastern Cana-da. With planning, design, landowner outreach and permitting expected to take place until next year, construction is expected to begin in late 2014, with operations to begin in 2016.

Southern Access Extension PipelineLocation: IllinoisStakeholder(s): EnbridgeOverview: The Southern Access Ex-tension Pipeline Project is a 165-mile pipeline that will transport crude oil from Flanagan, Ill., to a major refin-ery hub near Patoka, Ill. The project is one of several projects being un-dertaken by Enbridge to expand ac-cess to refinery markets for growing volumes of North Dakota and west-ern Canada light oil production. The project route was reviewed by the Il-linois Commerce Commission and will generally parallel other pipeline and electric transmission rights of way, including those of Enbridge. While the route has been determined, the final design and capacity of the project, as well as the pipe diameter, are still to be determined. Subject to other pending regulatory approvals, Enbridge anticipates beginning con-struction in mid-2014, and the proj-ect will be in service in early 2015.

Sweeny Lateral PipelineLocation: TexasStakeholder(s): Kinder Morgan En-ergy Partners LP Overview: The expansion of the Swee-ny Lateral will increase capacity on the 27-mile, 12-in. diameter pipeline from an initial 30,000 bpd up to 100,000 bpd from the Kinder Morgan Crude Condensate (KMCC) pipeline to Phillip 66’s Sweeny Refinery in Brazoria Coun-

ty, Texas. Kinder Morgan will add new pumps and an additional 120,000-bar-rel storage tank at its Wharton Pump Station in Wharton County, Texas, and increase the truck offload capabilities at its DeWitt Station in DeWitt Coun-ty, Texas, to facilitate the increase in ca-pacity. Project completion is expected at the end of the year.

This is not a comprehensive list of the pipeline projects for the upcom-ing construction season. For updates regarding ongoing projects, refer to

the Project Roundup on page 18 and published each issue.

North American Oil & Pipelines will provide a report on Canadian and U.S. gas pipeline projects in the August and November issues, respec-tively. For information on oil pipe-line projects in Canada, see page 30 of our February 2013 issue.

Bradley Kramer is managing editor of North American Oil & Gas Pipe-lines. Contact him at bkramer@ benjaminmedia.com.


As growing demand for natural gas reaches an all-time high, the industry is responding with standardized methodology for

tracking, which has begun through roll-out with manufacturers of poly-ethylene (PE) pipe and components, the primary material of choice being used currently in gas distribution sys-tems. The efforts to normalize track-ing are an outgrowth of the Pipeline

and Hazardous Materials Safety Ad-ministration’s (PHMSA) final rule establishing integrity management requirements for gas distribution pipeline systems. Industry estimates show use of PE pipe at greater than 97 percent for new and replacement gas lines, the majority of which are up to 6-in. diameter, and with trending use of 8-in. and larger diameter lines growing in popularity.

According to the American Gas As-sociation, (AGA), there are more than 66 million services and 2.4 million miles of gas distribution pipe in ser-vice. In 2012, the Plastics Pipe Insti-tute (PPI), the major trade association representing all segments of the plas-tic pipe industry, took action to help address the overall industry need for accountability by establishing a man-ufacturers’ identification registry un-


Checking IDsGas Pipe Registry Provides Enhanced System Safety and Accountability By Stephen C. Cooper

der license from Operations Technol-ogy Development (OTD) which can be found at www.ComponentID.org, a website that acts as a clearinghouse for the registration of all gas pipe and component manufacturers’ identifica-tion codes.

“This website provides a universal portal where manufacturers can easily inaugurate their efforts toward com-pliance by creating their own ID codes as the critical part of the tracking and traceability system,” said Tony Rado-szewski, PPI’s executive director. “It was developed to jump start manu-facturers implementation procedures for product traceability and it allows gas utilities a centralized location for identifying components used within any gas distribution system.

“PPI has agreed to operate and main-tain this registry developed in coordi-nation with the OTD consortium of gas utilities to support the registration of a unique manufacturer identifier in


With increased demand for natural gas comes the need to for more distribution pipelines. Safety concerns have led the Plastic Pipe Institute to develop a pipe tracking system to improve industry accountability.

▲

conjunction with the ASTM F2897-11 ‘Standard Specification for Tracking and Traceability Encoding System of Natu-ral Gas Distribution Components (Pipe, Tubing, Valves and Fittings),’” he said.

ASTM F2897 alphanumeric and bar-code marking requirements are now included in many leading plastic gas component standards including: ASTM D2513, F1924, F1948 and F2138.

“A lot of companies are working to figure out the best way to implement their Distribution Integrity Manage-ment Program, or DIMP,” offered Randy Knapp, director of engineering for PPI’s Energy Piping Systems and Building & Construction Divisions. “A

big part of DIMP is product identifica-tion. Before, they had a difficult time tracking and tracing what products go into the ground, and where pipes and valves are located. That’s where the component ID comes into play ... along with ASTM F2897 requirements it gives the industry a uniform way of marking products and applying bar codes that allow for immediate identi-fication no matter what materials are involved in a system.

“This registry program is what utili-ties have been waiting for, so they’re enthused about it. Now, they have an immediate means for taking initial

steps toward compliance. This track-ing and tracing system can be used by any size manufacturer and a utility of any size. And for all pipe and compo-nents ... it’s open for the entire sys-tem, not just PE pipe and component makers,” Knapp said.

Radoszewski echoed, “The PPI manufacturer’s identification service is available to all gas industry compo-nent manufacturers, and for all kinds of materials — anyone who wishes to take advantage of it and not only PPI members.”

He added that it is anticipated that other gas system components such as metallic piping and fittings will be

added in the future. “We believe that with the successful implementation of this program into gas distribution, this type of tracking and traceability program could prove valuable for oth-er applications such as potable water or storm water management systems,” Radoszewski said.

This is just the latest step in gas pipeline progress. There have also been ongoing improvements in the PE material itself and the pipe in-cluding the expanded use of PE 4710 grade of pipe. For example, since New Mexico Gas Co. (NMGC) completed its laboratory and field research study

of PE 4710 resin, it specifies only plas-tic pipe made from this high-perfor-mance polyethylene resin. It has also added some 28,000 customers and in-stalled more than 1,200 miles of pipe made from the state-of-the-art grade of polyethylene.

“The research and development teams of pipe and resin manufactur-ers continually work to produce new products such as PE 4710 that will ben-efit the industry,” Radoszewski said. “The commercialization of PE 4710 al-lows for the maximization of pipe per-formance in gas systems, bringing an excellent level of slow crack growth re-sistance and enabling a piping system to be operated at high pressure with-out sacrificing safety or service life. PE 4710 produces a very efficient pipe, which leads to savings in materials, transportation and installation.”

NMGC, based in Albuquerque, provides natural gas to more than 500,000 customers in 345 urban and rural communities throughout the state via 12,000 miles of pipeline, comprised of 1,600 miles of transmis-sion pipe and close to 10,500 miles of distribution mains. Concurrent with advances in plastic material science, the company began to transition from the predominant use of steel pipe to PE pipe in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Today, approximately 57 per-cent of the pipelines maintained by the company are PE.

According to Angela Serrano de Ri-vera, manager of gas system engineer-ing, the potential benefits of using ad-vanced bimodal PE 4710 gas pipe first drew the attention of NMGC in 2005. Prior to that, unimodal PE 3408 pipe was successfully used for many years. Faced with limited pipe supply due to Hurricane Katrina and the challenge of delivering gas safely and cost-effec-tively under an extremely wide range of operating conditions, engineers at NMGC were intrigued by industry buzz indicating bimodal high density polyethylene (HDPE) resin’s excellent resistance to slow crack growth (SCG) and rapid crack propagation (RCP), critical criteria for any gas pipe ma-terial. These attributes lead to higher pressure capabilities while maintain-ing PE’s long service life expectancy and versatility of installation, which


PPI’s registry helps companies trace pipe and pipe fittings. ▲

includes trenchless procedures. Based on the positive results of

their internal evaluation, NMGC be-gan field installation of bimodal PE 4710 gas pipe in December 2005. To date, a total of 1,200 miles of PE 4710 pipe has been installed across New Mexico’s challenging terrain, in urban and rural locations, including 224,741 ft of replacement pipe in 2008 alone. The installed pipes range from ½-in. CTS to 6-in. IPS and 7 to 11 SDR.

Serrano de Rivera offered an over-view of the study’s results, “After more than six years of impressive experience with PE 4710 pipe used in the extreme conditions of New Mexico without in-cident, New Mexico Gas Co. is pleased to report that bimodal pipe is proving to be an enduring solution and is the only plastic pipe approved to be used in New Mexico Gas Co.’s gas system.”

According to PPI’s Knapp, the focus for the gas industry continues to be replacement of aging gas lines. “This is going gangbusters right now,” he said. “The combination of horizontal directional drilling techniques and PE pipe is making it physically and financially possible to replace the old systems. The concentration is still cast iron replacement. Operators are required to know the specific charac-teristics of their system and operat-ing environment to identify threats, evaluate the risk, and take measures to reduce the risk. Utilities know they have it in the ground and they have to have defined programs in place to say how they are going to replace it, when and how much, and the time-table. Many of these systems are ap-proaching the end of their useful life so the utilities have to get them out of the ground, and that has been ac-celerating during the past year or two in particular.

“This is why the identification pro-gram is so timely,” Knapp said. “It’s been over a year since requirements have been in place for DIMP. And with more than 32,000 miles of cast iron still in the ground and to be re-placed, it’s the perfect time to also add the bar code to each component.”

Based in New York, Stephen C. Coo-per has been reporting on the gas and pipeline industries for several decades.


“This registry program is what utilities have been waiting for so they’re enthused about it. Now, they have an immediate means for taking initial steps toward compliance. This tracking and tracing system can be used by any size manufacturer and a utility of any size.”—Randy Knapp, director of engineering at the Plastic Pipe Institute

On Dec. 26, a gas pipeline blast followed by a mild earthquake struck Russia’s Black Sea resort of Sochi,

which will host the 2014 Winter Olympics. No one was hurt and there was no apparent damage to the city’s infrastructure after a 5.2 magnitude earthquake was reported at 2:42 a.m. local time. According to the United States Geological Survey, there are 14,000 earthquakes worldwide each year that have a magnitude of 4 or greater — 700 of which occur in the United States and Alaska.

There are several methods for miti-gating the effects of seismic activity on infrastructure, the most notable being the use of EPS geofoam as a seis-mic buffer for buried structures and rigid retaining walls. Six years ago, Canadian engineers Richard Bathurst, Saman Zarnani and Andrew Gaskin showed with shaking table testing and numerical modeling2, that geo-foam could reduce the seismic forces on rigid retaining walls. The light-weight EPS blocks that have become ubiquitous with highway embank-ments, green roofs and landscape fill

are growing in popularity for seismic and other buried applications.

Today the spotlight is shining on geofoam as a material with great po-tential for protecting pipelines. “If an earthquake occurs, high-pressure gas lines are one of the most impor-tant items to protect,” claims Steven Bartlett, Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Utah. “If they rup-ture and ignite, you essentially have a large blowtorch, which can be cata-strophic.”

Bartlett is associate professor of civil engineering at the University of Utah.


EPS Geofoam Protects Pipelines From Earthquakes

Seismicity of the United States from 1900-20021

Who Says Big Solutions Can’t Come in Lightweight Packages?

By Terry Meier

He and his team have been examining geofoam’s mitigating effects on pipe-line damage due to seismic faulting since 2007.

Geofoam weighs roughly 1/100th of the weight of soil. “During the sum-mer of 2007, Questar Gas Company requested that the University of Utah evaluate a conceptual EPS Geofoam cover system for a steel, natural gas pipeline crossing the Wasatch fault in the Salt Lake City valley,” Bartlett says. “The fault rupture is expected to produce an earthquake with a poten-tial magnitude of 7.5 and several feet of potential fault offset at the pipeline crossing.”

If a major earthquake were to strike the Wasatch fault zone in the Salt Lake Valley, the fault displacement and the subsequent weight of shifting and compacted soil on buried pipelines is likely to cause them to rupture. Many buried pipelines lie under 6 to 8 ft of soil. Bartlett and his students at the University of Utah showed that a pipeline protected with a lightweight geofoam cover could withstand the fault offset and reduce the force on the pipe by up to four times the amount of force as a pipeline covered with conventional soil backfill3.

When the 37-mile long section of natural gas pipeline had to be re-placed between Coleville and Ogden, Utah, approximately 20,000 cu ft of EPS geofoam was specified to reduce movement, shears, axial forces and strains imposed on the pipeline. EPS types 22 and 15 were shipped from ACH Foam Technologies’ local plant in Murray, Utah.

Pipeline Displacement Vectors During Failure

The goal of a geofoam cover system on top of a buried pipeline is to reduce the lateral, longitudinal and vertical forces induced on the pipe as the sur-rounding ground undergoes deforma-tion. The properties of geofoam have distinct advantages that lead to im-proved pipeline performance during large ground deformation.

There are two main advantages that geofoam has over traditional earth cover materials. First is geofoam’s low mass density, which reduces the verti-cal and horizontal stresses on buried utilities and compressive soils. This reduction in loading and deformation will likely improve the performance

of a pipeline during and after a major seismic event along the fault area.

The second advantage of geofoam is its use as a compressible inclusion for systems undergoing static, mono-tonic and dynamic loadings. Geofoam is somewhat compressible and con-trolled compression can be used to reduce earth pressure against buried structures as well as deformation in-duced by structural loadings. Bartlett’s team confirmed that the loadings that cause compression may include static

and dynamic lateral earth pressure swells, frost heave pressures, settle-ments of support soils, faulting, liq-uefaction, landslides and traffic loads.

A Lightweight Cover System for Pipelines

In some cases the geofoam blocks are covered with a geomembrane. This membrane helps to reduce the vertical uplift stress by reducing the friction


The reduction in loading and deformation due to geofoam’s compressibility will likely improve the performance of this Weber Canyon pipeline during and after a major seismic event along the fault area.

force between the geofoam and the trench sidewall. In addition, placing a geomembrane around the geofoam block will provide added protection against a potential petroleum spill.

EPS geofoam has been used for a number of large transportation proj-ects in Utah. Geofoam proved to be an incredibly time- and cost-saving mate-rial for the embankments along Inter-state Highway 15 in Utah. After real-izing the benefits of using geofoam for I-15, UTA specified it for its TRAX light rail projects. At the same time it was used in the Weber Canyon and 3300 South pipeline replacement projects.

According to Bartlett, a new ap-proach was taken to protect the 3300 South pipeline.

“Questar Gas had to put the pipe-line right down the center of the road-way. When we looked at what other countries did, they built a trapezoidal geometry above the pipe — basically, just a wedge,” Bartlett says.

Such a wedge would require many blocks of foam and would disrupt a large section of road. “This would have been a major problem in an urban area, as you might have to tear up 20 ft of lateral roadway. Try to do that for 3300 South — you’d have to shut the whole road down,” Bartlett added.

Rather than gut a major thor-oughfare, Bartlett proposed a “slot trench” design in which a block of geofoam is placed in a narrow trench between a pipeline and the pavement above. In this design, if the pipeline begins to lift up, it will displace the geofoam block and compress it. Although geofoam is solid, it contains tiny air pockets that can compress without sacrific-ing the material’s overall integrity. As the geofoam is compressed fur-ther, it will slide upward along the trench sidewalls and could eventu-ally damage the pavement above.

“However, the pipeline will remain intact and essentially undamaged,” he explained. Since the 3300 South project, Questar has been installing geofoam to protect other natural gas pipelines in the valley and else-where.

New research is being conducted to measure the effectiveness of geo-foam to help new buildings with-stand earthquakes4. The use of geo-foam backfilling against a vertical structure significantly reduces and/or completely eliminates lateral pressure on that structure, whether it is a bridge abutment, retaining wall, or foundation wall. For exam-ple, with a foundation wall going 30 ft below grade, the compacted soil will create 3,750 lbs of vertical pressure at the wall base and 1,250 lbs of lateral pressure at the base of the foundation wall. The use of geo-foam will greatly reduce lateral and vertical pressure.


Rather than gut a major thoroughfare, Bartlett proposed a “slot trench” design in which a block of geofoam is placed in a narrow trench between a pipeline and the pavement above.

From “Numerical Investigation of Geofoam Seismic Buffers Using FLAC”5:

“In a typical geofoam embankment such as that pictured above, the bot-tom-to-top layers consist of bedding sand, geofoam block, reinforced con-crete load distribution slab, road base (untreated base course), and concrete pavement. A prefabricated tilt-up concrete panel wall protects the geo-foam from damage and the wall is founded on an embedded slot foot-ing. The panel wall is connected to the load distribution slab and a cop-ing formed in the concrete pavement protects the panel top. An elasto-meric material is placed between the coping and the panel top to limit the vertical and horizontal interaction at this point. In addition, the geofoam blocks do not contact against the back panel wall.

“Typically, a 0.2-m gap is left be-tween the geofoam and the back of the wall to prevent interaction. How-ever, continuous horizontal layers ex-ist in the geofoam mass, which can allow for interlayer sliding if horizon-

tal seismic forces are sufficient to ini-tiate it. No such vertical planes exist, because shear keys are used in which the blocks are staggered and the ori-entation is rotated 90 degrees on each successive layer. The bottom layer of geofoam is placed directly against the slot footing of the tilt-up panel wall and is constrained from horizontal movement.”

Geofoam’s light weight and com-pressive resistance makes it an ideal fill material for pipeline protection as well as highway embankments, land-scape fill and green roofs. New infor-mation is pointing to its value as a potential seismic buffer for structural and infrastructure applications.

Terry Meier is ACH Foam Technolo-gies’ expanded polystyrene (EPS) representative, specializing in geo-foam. He was a participant in the Geo-foam Task Force for the I-15 project (the largest such project in the world) and helped introduce the material to Taiwan and the Philippines over the last decade. Contact him at [email protected].

SoURCES:1 United States Geological Survey.

“Seismicity of the United States.” 18 July 2012. Web. 10 Jan. 2013. http://www.usgs.gov

2 Bathursta, Rickar J. , Saman Zarnani, Andrew Gaskin. “Shaking Table Testing of Geofoam Seismic Buffers.” Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering. 27 (2007) 324–332. Print. 8 Jan. 2013.

3 Bartlett, Steven F. “Protecting Pipelines from Earthquakes.” 2012 News Archives. University of Utah. 02 oct. 2012. Web. 08 Jan. 2013. http://unews.utah.edu

4 Bartlett, Steven F., Lawton, Evert C., Trandafir Aurelian C. and Lingwall, Bret N. “Applications of EPS Geofoam in Design and Construction of Earthquake Resilient Infrastructure.” Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Utah, Dept. of Geology and Geophysics, University of Utah. 04 April 2011. Print. 04 March 2013.

5 Zarnani, Saman and Richard J. Bathurst. “Numerical Investigation of Geofoam Seismic Buffers Using FLAC.” GeoEngineering Centre at Queen’s-RMC, Department of Civil Engineering. n.d. Print 10 Jan. 2013.


ACH Foam Technologies provided the geofoam for UTA’s Frontrunner project.

The PT-600, the new top of the range model in the PrimeTech family of tracked Prime Movers is here: with maximum power and productivity, ease of handling and agility of movement to deal effectively and safely even with super-duty applications. The heart of the PT-600 is a Cummins QSX15 turbocharged inline six-cylinder diesel engine producing 600 hp. The hydraulic system has been specifically designed together with Bosch Rexroth, while great attention has been given to efficient intelligent cooling solutions that use absolutely zero unnecessary horsepower.

Thanks to its PrimeTech DNA, the PT-600 also inherits great attachment flexibility, allowing a choice of two different types that can be easily changed according to the type of application required:

• FAE 500U forestry mulching head, available in two working widths and with various types of teeth for land clearing and site preparation operations;

• FAE 500S forestry tiller, working to depths of up to 20 inches (for removal of stumps and roots and land conversion)

For more information, visit www.faeusa.com.

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Brown Bear manufactures four sizes of self propelled auger backfilling carriers from 130 to 350 hp. All carriers are equipped with four-wheel drive, four-wheel steer capability, dual-path hydrostatic systems for ground drive and auger drive. Each carrier is fitted with a ROPS- and FOPS-certified cabin, heater and A/C. Various auger diameters and widths are available to suit different project needs

For more information, visit www.brownbearcorp.com.

exPoPiPeline Product

Brown Bear Backfillers

FAE USA PT-600 Prime Mover


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The Geo-Boy Brush Cutter from Jarraff Industries, based in St. Peter, Minn., is designed for land clearing and vegetation management and is well-suited for pipeline right-of-way maintenance. Available in both wheeled and track configurations, the Geo-Boy has the ability to lift the cutter head approximately 11 ft high and can quickly and effectively clear brush and trees with diameters of up to 12 in.

With two Tier III engine options — a 220 hp and 260 hp — the Geo-Boy is more powerful, maneuverable and fuel efficient than other brush cutters in its class. Both Geo-Boy models are ROPS and FOPS certified. The Geo-Boy also offers a number of additional safety features including full Lexan, No Mar windows and a rear view.

For more information, visit www.geo-boy.com.

Geo-Boy Bruch Cutter (Jarraff Industries)

As part of its VMLogix line of vegetation management equipment, Loftness offers the Tree Hammer. Powered by a reliable PTO drive, the machine cuts and mulches material up to 10 in. in diameter. It is ideal for clearing pipeline rights of way or mowing and mulching grass, weeds, brush or trees.

The Tree Hammer is 101 in. wide with a cutting width of 80 in. It is designed for tractors with up to 260 hp PTO and a Category II or III three-point hitch. Depending on the type of operation, the unit can be pushed or pulled behind the tractor to cut, mow or mulch material.

The 21-in. rotor is mounted on 3-in. piloted bearings with anti-wrap protection. The rotor is available with

fixed teeth or individually mounted hammers, which swing 360 degrees on double-tapered rolling bearings. A row of stationary teeth optimizes cutting performance, and a mulching door can be hydraulically opened or closed according to the application. To help prevent flying debris, the Tree Hammer 360 comes with steel deflector chains. Other standard features include a PTO shaft with slip clutch, a four-groove banded belt with spring-loaded tensioner and adjustable skid shoes. Options include a shear bar, dual-belt drive, six-groove banded belts and a hydraulic tree-pusher bar.

For more information, visit www.vm-logix.com.

Loftness Tree Hammer


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Rayco’s C185 and C260 Crawlers are mid-sized mulchers that deliver 185 and 260 hp, respectively, in a compact, low ground pressure package. These mulchers are suited for clearing small trees, underbrush and a variety of unwanted vegetation over a wide range of ground conditions. A powerful Cummins QSB6.7L turbo diesel

engine powers both models, while meeting Tier III emissions. The C185 produces 575 ft-lbs of torque and the C260 produces 730 ft-lbs.

The cabs are climate controlled and sealed from dust and debris to maintain operator comfort. The operator’s seat is

high-backed and heated with adjustable armrests and air-ride suspension. A LCD panel displays all gauges and warning indicators and has a built-in back-up camera. For safety, the cab is certified to meet ROPS, FOPS and OPS specifications and is equipped with a roof-top escape hatch. LED lighting facing front, sides and rearward. A backup camera enhances rearward visibility.

The heavy-duty steel undercarriage and powerful final drives allow operators to tackle difficult terrain with confidence. The standard, 24-in. track shoes yield ground pressure of 4.87 psi (including Predator mulcher head), while the optional 28-in. shoes achieve as little as 3.48 psi.

For more information, visit www.raycomfg.com.

exPoPiPeline Product

Rayco C185 and C260 Crawlers

The new BMS is an excavator-mounted forestry mulcher and represents an update to a classic offering from Seppi M.

There is a tremendous amount of SEPPI M. “know how” in the BMS mulcher. The first prototype of this product was built for the Canadian market 25 years ago, making it the first excavator mulcher in history.

The rotor position of the new BMS provides greater rotor exposure and allows more efficient felling operations. New knife options further increase the cutting performance. Standard knives are the “MINI DUO” fixed hammers with tungsten tips, but the company’s new fixed knives, called “MINI BLADE” and “MINI BLADE CARBIDE” are optional. These sharp blades make work faster and more efficient, when working above ground level and out of the stones.

The BMS features hydraulic variable displacement regulated motors that increase the mulching torque when the pressure is really on, minimizing stalling and increasing work rate. It has been developed for excavators from 29,000 to 55,000

lbs. It is ideal for all types of maintenance and clearing jobs. It mulches wood up to 10 in. in diameter and is available in widths of 39, 49 and 59 in.

For more information, visit www.seppi.com.

Seppi M. BMS Mulcher Attachment


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The 480 is a 500-hp class, track-driven mulcher carrier suitable for tough terrain, sensitive site applications and pipeline, exploration and right of way projects.

High production and extremely low ground pressure combine to offer exceptional performance in the most demanding mulching jobs. With a Cummins QSX15

Tier III engine, the 480 is a powerful machine with 440 hp available to the mulching attachment. The machine is compact and maneuverable with a narrow overall width and a light footprint for soft soil conditions.

A highly refined closed loop track drive system propels the carrier and a dedicated pump powers the

attachment. The 480 uses heavy duty track frames and a robust mounting system for the oscillating tracks. The efficient, high capacity cooling system uses a variable pitch fan with an automatic reversing cycle.

The machine incorporates high-lift boom geometry for improved performance on uneven terrain. The counter-rotate function or CRF allows the 480 to pivot about its center axis at the touch of a button for quick, effortless “on a dime” turns at the end of a row. All functions including the joystick steering are electronically controlled, allowing for operator customization.

For more information, visit www.tigercat.com.

Tigercat 480 Mulcher

The HG4000 horizontal grinder from Vermeer features a number of cost- conscious features that will appeal to a variety of land clearing contractors.

A 445 hp Tier 4i (Stage IIIB) Fiat Powertrain Technologies diesel engine powers the HG4000 and meets all U.S., Canadian and European Union emission regulations through selective catalytic reduction (SCR). This power plant has shown a considerable fuel savings over similarly powered engines in this application. To help maximize power to the HG4000 processing functions, Vermeer uses an array of electrically powered, variable speed and reversible fans for the cooling system. This not only reduces draw of engine power, but also has shown to help reduce machine sound levels.

The heart of the HG4000 is the Series II Duplex Drum, consisting of nine hammers and 18 grinder tips. This patented design decreases daily maintenance time while increasing the life of major wear components by providing the ability to reverse the grinder tips, hammers and center section of the drum. Maintenance time

is decreased by the ability to remove and replace single hammers along with the ability to externally balance the drum.

For more information, visit www.vermeer.com.

Vermeer HG4000 Horizontal Grinder


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Sheehan Pipe Line

Construction Company ...............................www.sheehanpipeline.com .............Back Cover

TigerCat .........................................................www.tigercat.com ...........................................31

Tight Oil Monterey .........................................www.tight-oil-monterey-california-2013.com .47

Vermeer ..........................................................www.vermeer.com ............................................9

Welded Construction L.P. ..............................www.welded.com ...........................................23

Advertisers Index

MAY12-16PLCA Canada Annual ConventionFairmont Queen ElizabethMontrealWeb: www.pipeline.ca

14-1688th Annual ISHM School & ExhibitionInternational School of Hydrocarbon MeasurementCox Communications CenterOklahoma CityWeb: www.ishm.info

15-16Unpiggable Pipeline Solutions ForumMarriott WestchaseHoustonWeb: www.clarion.org/UPSF.php

21-23American Gas Association ConventionGaylord PalmsOrlando, Fla.Web: www.aga.org

29-30Utica & Marcellus NGL & Gas MarketsHyatt Regency ColumbusColumbus, OhioWeb: www.utica-marcellus-ngl-markets-2013.com

JUNE11-13Gas & Oil Expo North AmericaStampede ParkCalgary, AlbertaWeb: www.gasandoilexpo.com

22-23North American Pipeline SymposiumMarriott Calgary DowntownCalgary, AlbertaWeb: www.CanadianInstitute.com/NAPipeline

24-25NGL Markets & LNG Export Congress CanadaBMO CentreCalgary, AlbertaWeb: www.ngl-lng-canada-2013.com

26-27Permian Markets & Takeaway InfrastructureHouston Marriott—Texas Medical CenterHoustonWeb: www.permian-basin-markets-2013.com

26-28Summer Leadership MeetingAssociation of Oil Pipelines (AOPL)Fairmont Banff SpringsBanff, AlbertaWeb: www.aopl.org

JULY17-21DCA Mid-Year MeetingPark Hyatt Beaver CreekAvon, Colo.Web: www.dcaweb.org

23-25Oil Sands Heavy Oil TechnologiesTelus Convention CenterCalgary, AlbertaWeb: www.oilsanstechnologies.com

30-Aug. 2Florida Pipe Talk Summer Symposium Florida Energy Pipeline AssociationSarasota, Fla.Web: www.floridapipetalk.com/registration

AUGUST 9-12Appalachian Gas Measurement Short CourseRobert Morris UniversityMoon Township, Pa. Web: http://agmsc.org

20-21Western Regional Gas ConferenceTempe Mission Palms Hotel and Conference Center Tempe, Ariz. Web: www.westernregionalgas.org

21-22GeoGatheringGIS for Gathering and Production LinesColorado Springs, Colo.Web: www.geogathering.com

26-28LNG Export DevelopmentHoustonWeb: www.lngexportusa.com

26-28SURF TechnologiesHoustonWeb: www.SURFTechnologies.com

26-28Tulsa Pipeline ExpoTulsa, Okla.Web: www.tulsapipelineexpo.com

SEPTEMbER23-27IPLOCA ConventionOmni ShorehamWashington, D.C.Web: www.iploca.com

OCTObER 1-3ICUEEKentucky Exposition CenterLouisville, Ky. Web: www.icuee.com

7-9Oil & Gas AutomationHoustonWeb: www.oilgasautomation.com

NOvEMbER3-5AEM Annual ConferenceHilton Bonnet Creek & Waldorf AstoriaOrlando, Fla.Web: www.aem.org

The evenTs PiPelineConferences, Meetings & Trade Shows

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