10
World Pipelines
/
SEPTEMBER 2014
C
o
ntract News
TO KEEP UP-TO-DATE ON CONTRACTS VISIT
URC and Enbridge enter into pipeline
agreement
United Refining Company has entered into an agreement
concerning Line 10, a pipeline owned by Enbridge Pipelines Inc.
and Enbridge Energy Limited Partnership.
John A. Catsimatidis, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
URC, stated: “We are very pleased that our companies have agreed
to a plan that would allow Enbridge to continue to provide
operational reliability and efficiency to Line 10. The agreement will
allow us to consider the feasibility of expansion of the pipeline’s
capacity over the coming years subject to regulatory approvals.
The agreement underscores our commitment to safe, reliable, low
cost transportation of our crude oil feed stocks for decades to
come. After completion of the segment replacement programme,
it is our expectation that Line 10 will be restored to its original
operating capacity.”
The agreement provides for URC to fund certain integrity costs
necessary to maintain Enbridge’s Line 10 pipeline and also a
commitment to pay for half of the cost of the replacement of
20 miles of pipeline in Canada.
It also provides for the replacement and upgrade of additional
portions of Line 10, subject to regulatory approvals, and provided
that a “put and call” agreement concerning the ownership of the
pipeline is entered into by the end of the year. If the parties enter
into the agreement, URC and Enbridge would share the cost of
replacing the majority of Line 10 in Canada and part of it in
New York State. Each party would invest approximately US$ 135
million over the next five or six years for pipe replacement.
Trelleborg and Proserv in subsea tool partnership
Trelleborg Sealing Solutions is supplying advanced elastomer
materials to enhance the performance of Proserv’s subsea product
line in order to provide a solution to rapid gas decompression.
Trelleborg has supplied its XploR™ grade elastomer seals for
initial testing. This is to help address the low temperature/high
pressure sealing performance of Proserv’s subsea equipment and
combat the issue of sour gas chemical compatibility. The seals are to
be used in an expanded range of Proserv’s downhole and pipeline
sampling tools, which are being upgraded and developed.
Daniel Grainger, key account manager at the Trelleborg oil and
gas marketing office in Aberdeen, explains how industry leaders are
turning to the sealing specialists in increasing numbers in a bid to
overcome extreme conditions. He said: “Seal damage and observed
gas leaks caused by rapid gas decompression in elastomeric seals are
extremely costly with significant safety and environmental
implications for oilfield operators and equipment suppliers.”
David Bird, a senior engineer at Proserv, said: “Consistent and
robust sealing solutions are a fundamental requirement in the design
and development of every Proserv sampling system. Proserv’s oil and
gas division is now actively harnessing Trelleborg’s expertise in the
development of projects that are tailored toward expanding our
sample cylinder product range into more hostile service
environments.”
Laney announces sale to Maxim and Falcon
Laney Directional Drilling Co. has been acquired by an affiliate of
Maxim Partners, LLC, and Falcon Investment Advisors, LLC.
“Laney is pleased to announce this acquisition, which
represents a great opportunity for both our employees and the
company to continue driving growth and offer best in class service
to our customers,” said Laney Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Fox.
“We look forward to partnering with Maxim and Falcon to
significantly increase our portfolio of HDD capabilities as well as
extend the Company’s geographic reach.”
“Maxim and Falcon are excited to partner with existing
management to support the Company’s strategic vision of
becoming North America’s preferred supplier of HDD services for
energy infrastructure,” said Ryan Franco, a Managing Partner at
Maxim.
Laney was previously owned by a private equity consortium
comprised of Chart Capital Partners, Prudential Capital Partners,
Quilvest USA and Basic Materials and Services LLC. “We are very
proud of the accomplishments of Laney’s management team and
employees,” said David Collier, Managing Director at Chart Capital.
“Our group acquired a well-run family business and worked closely
with a great management team to transform the company into a
world-class HDD firm. We are pleased to deliver a company that is
stronger in every way. The partnership with Maxim and Falcon will
provide for Laney’s continued growth and success.”
Chart and its co-investors will maintain a minority ownership
position alongside Maxim and Falcon.
Tata Steel signs contracts to supply pipes to
Subsea 7
Tata Steel has signed a series of contracts with Subsea 7 to
supply undersea pipes to four separate North Sea projects.
The four contracts, signed over the past year and worth an
estimated £10 million in total, will see Tata Steel supply in excess
of 55 km of pipe weighing more than 9000 t.
To mark the strengthening relations between the two
companies, Tata Steel and Subsea 7 have also signed a global
framework agreement. This agreement cements and formalises
the companies’ long-standing partnership, which first began
25 years ago.
Under the contracts, Tata Steel will supply around 28 km of
carrier pipe, more than 27 km of sleeve pipe, girth welding and
triple jointing and the application of Glass Flake Epoxy pipe
coating. The pipes will be manufactured at the company’s
Hartlepool pipe mills in the UK, before being welded and coated
at its offshore processing centre, also in Hartlepool.
Richard Broughton, Commercial Manager Exploration and
Production, Energy & Power, said: “Our work with Subsea 7 over
the years has been extensive, particularly in the North Sea oil
and gas industry, which has become an increasingly important
market for us. The new framework agreement will extend the
work our companies already do together on a global scale,
demonstrating the value of Tata Steel in today’s oil and gas
industry.
“We have the ability to provide the carrier and sleeve pipe
and carry out the coating work in-house, demonstrating the
customer-focused approach Tata Steel takes. Subsea 7 is an
important supply chain partner and our relationship with the
company continues to grow.”
