Midstream Business Magazine - May 2012
Editor's Note
Construction Update
Feature
Bakken The Saddle
Getting North Dakota's Bakken oil to market is still a challenge and requires efforts from all transporters, including this plan from Saddle Butte LLC.
Bakken's Rapid Ascent
As the Bakken ascends to the top ranks of U.S. oil and gas plays, some growing pains become evident. Here's how those issues and bottlenecks will be resolved.
Banking on Bakken
North Dakota has leapfrogged past a half-dozen states since 2006 to become the nation's third-largest oil producer, but more infrastructure is needed to get oil, gas and liquids to market and to improve netbacks.
Chesapeake's SCADA Strategies
Modern communications technology allows Chesapeake's operators to keep a close eye on day-to-day operations for a wide range of assets, including those in remote locations.
Compressor Shut-Down
Although most modern compression stations are designed to run continuously, occasionally they must be shut down, resulting in cold starts and water condensation. A pipeline case study points the way to better operations.
IDRs In Moderation
Midstream MLP distributions are immune to a potentially devastating burden of high IDRs to their GPs when GPs are flexible about their take.
Integrity Management
Recent federal pipeline safety regulations have many local distribution operators drawing up detailed plans for safety.
MLP Analysts' Roundtable
The overall midstream sector and individual MLPs offer plenty to like as analysts expect that on average MLPs will likely provide an annual return of more than 11% during the next three years.
MLP Asset Valuations
Master limited partnership arrangements are gaining significant attention as energy-related MLPs now represent over $220 billion of aggregate market value.
Parnon Potential
While many large midstream companies can attest to the difficulties in navigating the risks and rewards of the business, a smaller niche midstream company proves its all in the know-how.
Q&A: Permiating The Permian
Last year, Tom O'Connor, chairman of the board, president and chief executive of DCP Midstream LLC and his team took note of the resurgence of liquids production from the Permian Basin and made their plans. This year, that foresight pays off.
The Big Crew Change
As a wave of oil and gas workers inch toward retirement, energy companies look for creative solutions to replace them.
Tracking Liquids
A Houston-based software company has seen remarkable growth as its clients seek solutions to track the flow of gas and liquids through their systems.