Midstream Business Magazine - July/August 2013
Editor's Note
Taking Hold
The build-out in North America’s midstream appears to be taking hold, making a difference in the market after a furious three or four years’ work.
Construction Update
Utica Expansion Takes Center Stage
Midstream companies this summer are in the middle of the mass expansion of pipeline infrastructure. At the center of it all stands MarkWest Energy Partners LP.
Feature
Above The Crest
Pipeline operators face enormous growth potential as the need for a widespread midstream build-out continues.
Closing Bell: Hydraulic Fracturing And The Poor
My mom came up from the basement holding a large, well-worn Florsheim shoebox containing tattered papers that she had collected over the course of 30 years.
Completing The Midstream Build-Out
North America's midstream appears to be midway through its significant expansion/rebuild to move growing shale-play production to market.
Executive Q&A: Middle Of The Midstream
Anne-Marie Ainsworth heads Oiltanking Partners LP, which provides independent storage and transportation of crude oil, refined petroleum products and liquefied petroleum gas on the Texas Gulf Coast.
Focus On MLPs: Growth Is Good
The premier master limited partnership trade group's conference keys in on rapid expansion of this investment sector.
Focus On MLPs: MLP Defined
Unique assets provide growth opportunities for the largest midstream player.
Gas Storage To The Rescue
It can serve as a 'shock absorber' and insurance for producers; however, investors are losing interest in the segment.
Hold, Please
Australia's massive LNG development may be slowing as the nation's producers and midstream operators confront high costs, labor shortages and other challenges.
Lighting CBM's Fire
Coalbed methane projects in the west could be making a comeback as natural gas prices rise. Producers have lots of running room for additional development if prices continue to perk up—creating new opportunities for midstream players.
Alerian Index
MLPs And Interest Rates
With interest rates at historic lows, investors have been searching for yield and have found stable and growing cash flows with relatively lower cash-flow volatility in master limited partnerships (MLPs).
Finance Matters
Climate Change, Gas And Investing
nt Barack Obama delivered a major policy speech on climate change at Georgetown University at the end of June. In directing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) “to complete new CO2 pollution standards for both new and existing power plants,” the speech was signif
News Flow
Barclays: Shale Energy's Economic Effect 'Modest' To Date
For all the hype about job growth and energy independence surrounding increased oil and gas activity in the shale plays, the overall effect to date to the U.S. economy is modest at best, say analysts with Barclays Capital Inc.
Deadline Looms On NESHAP Compliance
The sense of urgency is growing as the deadline for compliance on new spark-ignited reciprocating internal combustion engines (SI RICEs) regulations nears, says one industry expert.
In The Pipeline: Wave Of Floating LNG Projects Could Emerge
High costs for land-based LNG facilities are expected to push more companies toward more flexible, less expensive floating liquefaction (FLNG) plants as they bring natural gas supplies to market.
Light Shale Crudes Reshape World's Refining Business
The gusher of light, sweet crude oil flowing from North America’s unconventional shale plays has forced a major shift in how refiners—here and abroad—buy feedstocks.
North Dakota Rail Is Here To Stay
North Dakota has been one of the biggest energy stories over the past two years as crude production out of the Williston basin
Panel Expects M&A Consolidation
The flurry of activity in unconventional resources during the past three years will likely lead to a growing wave of consolidation in the coming years, according to a panel of merger and acquisition (M&A) experts.
Price Uncertainties Dominate Executives' Concerns
Energy-industry managers agree on some trends: 53% of executives expect a rise in employment, 31% predict difficultly in hiring and retention and 60% foresee an increase in capital expenditures.
Production Gains Drive NGL Exports
Global energy markets are acutely focused on North American energy independence and the possibility of exports of light tight oil and natural gas in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
What If Crude Prices Fall?
What happens when crude prices dip, as Bentek analyst Jay Williams expects them to in the future?
NGL Frac Spread
Geopolitical Events Sustain NGL Prices
West Texas Intermediate crude prices rose above $100 per barrel in early July on the back of a U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) report that crude, gasoline and distillate inventory levels are below expectations.
Transaction Update
Midstream's Summer Heat Wave
The temperature isn’t the only thing heating up this summer— especially in the midstream.