Washington, D.C. – The American Gas Association (AGA) is excited to welcome more than 12,000 people to our nation’s capital for an international discussion about pathways towards natural gas as a foundation fuel for prosperity throughout the world. The 27^th World Gas Conference will take place in Washington, DC June 25-29. Held every three years, the world’s largest global gas conference begins with the opening ceremony on the morning of Tuesday, June 26 featuring U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry.

“The United States is both the world’s largest natural gas producer and consumer, making us the ideal host for this global conversation,” said AGA President & CEO Dave McCurdy and also Chair of the National Organizing Committee for the 2018 World Gas Conference. “In the U.S., natural gas has boosted our economy, enhanced our national security and supported renewable energy, leading to energy-related carbon dioxide emissions hitting 25-year lows. We hope to expand that opportunity throughout the world.”

Read the full press release here.

Media Contact: 

Jake Rubin

[email protected]

(202) 824-7027

The World Gas Conference provides a great forum for the natural gas industry to come together and discuss shared goals. That is why The Environmental Partnership is proud to be represented at this year’s conference, and we look forward to sharing more information about this important new program.

The Environmental Partnership, which launched last December, is made up of oil and natural gas producers of all sizes who share a common mission – to continually improve our environmental performance by taking action, learning about best practices and technologies, and fostering collaboration.

Our industry has a proud history of utilizing innovation and collaboration to tackle pressing challenges. According to EPA data, methane emissions from natural gas and petroleum systems decreased 14 percent from 1990 to 2016, while natural gas output increased by more than 50 percent during the same period. At the same time, advanced technologies like hydraulic fracturing have helped the United States become the world leader in lowering carbon emissions, reducing them to a 25-year low.

Now oil and natural gas producers have an opportunity to build on these important accomplishments through The Environmental Partnership.

The Partnership’s initial focus is on further reducing air emissions, including methane and volatile organic compounds, from oil and natural gas production. These are important targets as they comprise the majority of emissions from our sector. To accomplish this goal, participating companies have agreed to implement one or more environmental performance programs to address emissions from high-bleed pneumatic controllers, equipment leaks and manual liquids unloading events.

To inform and educate people about our industry’s progress, participants in The Environmental Partnership have committed to annual reporting that will be compiled by The Partnership and released publicly.

For our industry, The Environmental Partnership represents a real commitment to continuously improve our environmental performance and offers an important opportunity to learn and collaborate with other companies and colleagues.

The Partnership is hosting regular industry workshops where oil and natural gas producers can learn from experts about the latest techniques and technologies that can reduce air emissions. In addition, The Partnership allows companies and workers to share scientific data and promote best practices.

Interest in The Environmental Partnership continues to grow as companies learn about the new program. In just its first six months, participation has expanded by fifty percent to 39 companies – representing operators from every major oil and natural gas producing basin and responsible for more than 30 percent of U.S. natural gas production.

When it comes to continued environmental improvement, oil and natural gas producers can go it alone or work collaboratively with their peers. The Environmental Partnership recognizes that more can be accomplished when we work together. For more information, please visit the website at www.TheEnvironmentalPartnership.org.

ANGP, together with its partner Ingevity Corporation (NYSE: NGVT), will be exhibiting the PHANGV® (plugin hybrid adsorbed natural gas vehicle) technology installed on a 2018 Ford F150. The technology employs the science of adsorption to provide enough on-board natural gas storage at low pressure for a typical daily operational range. The exhibit will be in Booth 707 on the Conference Exhibition Floor.

“We are extremely humbled to be recognized by the global natural gas community for our low-pressure technology that is geared to economically reducing greenhouse gas emissions from larger frame light duty vehicles, such as large SUVs, pick-up trucks and vans,” said Bob Bonelli, President and CEO of ANGP. He added, “low-pressure operation is the key to economic and highly reliable private fueling, which enables the use of clean burning natural gas on these large platform light duty vehicles that is far superior to electrification in cost, weight and range.”

Read full press release here.

Targeting upstream and midstream applications, Ariel looks to improve the own-and-operate experience with its newest compressor.

By Brent Haight

Leveraging decades of experience and advances in technology, Ariel Corp. has introduced the KBK:T. Targeting the midstream and upstream compressor markets, the KBK:T fits between Ariel’s JGK:T and JGC:D:F frames, bringing higher rod load and horsepower capabilities, along with longer strokes than the JGK:T, while fitting in a similar footprint. Available in 2, 4, and 6-throw configurations, the KBK offers up to 5520 hp (4116 kW) at 1200 and 1500 rpm.

“Looking at our existing portfolio, there was a bit of a horsepower gap between the JGK:T and JGC:D:F product lines,” said Robert Drews, director of marketing at Ariel. “It’s appropriate for us to have a product in that power range.” “It was also our interest to bring additional value,” said Joe Fernandez, manager of application engineering at Ariel. “So, while there was a horsepower need there, we were also looking to bring additional value to our lease-fleet customers, such as higher horsepower density, increased rod load, and a stiffer frame. Ultimately, we are looking to improve the own-and-operate experience. The increased rod load gives operators increased or added flexibility, so whether it’s suction or discharge pressures, the rod load will give them additional flexibility in the pressure range that they require.”

The KBK:T frames have a 6-in. (152.44-mm) and 5-in. (127-mm) stroke. According to Fernandez, the combination of stroke and rated gas rod load values enhance the allowable compressor-operating map while optimizing the use of available driver horsepower.

“With more powerful drivers hitting the market, and applications requiring additional compressor capabilities, the KBK:T allows more power for customers who need a JGK:T sized compressor,” said Fernandez. “The KBK:T is designed to handle the increasing demands of the market while maintaining the portability of the JGK:T products.”

“We’re also looking toward the future to potentially upgrade engines and getting ready for that,” added Drews. “When you look at driver matchup, Waukesha’s new VHP Series 5 engine is a very good engine-compressor match for the KBK at 1200 rpm. Caterpillar’s 3520 is a solid matchup for the KBT. The 6-in. stroke KBK is an ideal fit for natural gas engines and 1200-rpm motors. The 5-in. stroke of the KBT allows for a maximum operating speed of 1500 rpm. That will enable it to work well with 1400-rpm engines and the 1500-rpm motors that are common outside North America.”

“We are continually learning,” said Fernandez. “We are continually listening to our customers. Over the course of the last 50 years we’ve learned how to make frames stiffer, how to make them less likely to vibrate. We also have the capabilities in our manufacturing facility, through advances in machining and casting, to make a stronger frame without increasing its footprint. In the case of the KBK:T, we’ve been able to create a more robust, stiffer frame in a similar footprint as the JGK. Our design team incorporated the knowledge that we have learned over the years. The angled design of the crosshead guides and through-bolt support fasteners of the KB series brings increased stability under higher rod loads. The pistons, piston rods, crossheads, and connecting rods have been redesigned for improved load carry capability as well.”

The KBK:T utilizes a new cylinder class lineup equipped with internal components design-rated to provide the same or improved reliability when operating at the design ratings. “The increased rod load allows us to utilize higher working-pressure cylinders,” said Fernandez. “It allows us to use higher-pressure cylinders from our current product line.”

The KBK:T is designed to accommodate an optional internal torsional vibration damper on the crankshaft to minimize torsional vibrations, which might otherwise limit the operational range of the machine. “This damper, when installed, reduces or eliminates those problems, allowing the compressor to operate over a broader range of operating conditions,” said Fernandez. “It’s not always going to be needed but is available when the torsional analysis shows it to be beneficial.”

Ease of maintenance was a priority in the KBK:T design. Auxiliary end piping has been simplified by integrating the frame oil thermostat into the oil filter header. “The new positioning of the oil thermostat makes it much easier for someone to work on the oil system and the frame in general,” said Fernandez. “Putting the thermostat into the filter housing is a first for Ariel and greatly improves maintenance and reliability. It simplifies the piping, which, in turn, allows easier access to the auxiliary end of the frame. This feature, among some of the other new developments introduced with the KBK:T, will be implemented going forward in our other units.”

Paper gaskets have been replaced with O-rings on the top cover and side doors, eliminating the tearing of paper gaskets that can occur during maintenance intervals.

KBK:T crossheads, connecting rods, and bearings are all backward-compatible with JGK:T frames.

“We shared some components or made components backward-compatible between the KBK:T and the JGK:T so fleet operators don’t have to keep two sets of parts on the shelf,” said Drews. “The philosophy is to have shared components and to support both of these product lines going into the future, making it easier for operators to maintain parts inventory and perform maintenance.”

“The JGK and the JGT are extremely field-proven, reliable machines. They are a cornerstone of Ariel’s product line. So that’s our benchmark, and that was the objective that we believe we met with obtaining that same level of reliability, while providing the higher ratings and improved flexibility with the new products,” added Fernandez.

“We’ve been able to take what we’ve learned and demonstrated in our installed base of equipment and leverage that into this new product line,” said Drews. “We demonstrate continuous improvement in all the facets of our operation, and the KBK:T is an example of that. There’s a mindset of continuous improvement throughout the company. It’s not just in our manufacturing and improving how we manufacture, it’s also improving the product lines that we bring to the market and improving how we support the product line – not only from an inventory standpoint, but also throughout our tech services group and our distribution network. It goes beyond the KBK:T; it’s really the discipline that the company has operated with for 50 years.”

This article was first published in the June 2018 Compression Magazine (p. XX). Free to subscribe and free to renew, Gas Compression Magazine is your link to the global gas compression market. Delivered monthly, Gas Compression Magazine is available in print and digital delivery.

Find out more by visiting https://gascompressionmagazine.com.

May 29, 2018

The 27th World Gas Conference (WGC 2018), the world’s largest and most prestigious global gas event, is marking the first time in WGC’s 86-year history that it will be held in a country that is both the world’s largest gas consumer and gas producer. WGC 2018 will gather policy makers and industry leaders from across the globe to debate and discuss the future of natural gas and solidify the pivotal role of natural gas as a critical source of energy that is clean, abundant, economical and sustainable. Conducted since 1931 by the International Gas Union (IGU), the triennial event aims to amplify the natural gas industry and provide timely updates on strategic, commercial and technical issues across the entire gas value chain.

Delegates and media can look forward to the most comprehensive and diverse program ever hosted at a World Gas Conference, with sessions aimed at all corners of the natural gas industry.

Read the full press release here.

Media Contact:
Julie Carney
Senior Vice President
Edelman
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +1 202-756-2425

Delegate Registration and Conference Contact:
Amy Jordan
Head of Marketing
CWC Solutions
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44 20 7978 0019

Listen to the podcast here.

Established in Washington, D.C., over 50 years ago, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a bipartisan, nonprofit policy research organization dedicated to providing strategic insights and policy solutions to help decision-makers chart a course toward a better world.

Energy 360° examines the energy landscape from the intersection of policy, markets, technologies, and geopolitics. With commentary from leading energy and CSIS experts, they provide context and perspective on the most critical issues shaping energy today. Hosted by the CSIS Energy and National Security Program. Find out more at www.csis.org/podcasts/energy-360.

Download the report and data spreadsheet, and join the conversation on social media using #FutureofGas.

Find out more.

The 2018 edition of the Sustainable Energy in America Factbook – produced for the Business Council for Sustainable Energy by Bloomberg New Energy Finance, provides up-to-date, accurate market information about the broad range of industries — energy efficiency, natural gas and renewable energy— that are contributing to the country’s move towards cleaner energy production and more efficient energy usage.

• – Read the Executive Summary
• – Read the ‘BCSE BRIEF: Combined Heat and Power – A High-Efficiency, Sustainable Energy Solution’
• – Visit the BCSE website for more information – www.bcse.org/sustainableenergyfactbook

The Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) is a broad-based clean energy trade association representing energy efficiency, natural gas and renewable energy industries. Its membership includes independent power producers, equipment manufacturers, investor-owned utilities, public power utilities, project developers and energy and environmental service providers. The coalition of companies and trade associations is united around the continued revitalization of the U.S. economy and a sustainable energy future.

BCSE President, Lisa Jacobson, will be moderating a Current Debate session at WGC 2018 on Wednesday June 27, on ‘Gas and Renewables: A Partnership for the Future’.

Dolf Gielen has served as director of the IRENA Innovation and Technology Centre in Bonn since 2011. He oversees the agency’s work advising member countries on technology status and roadmaps, energy planning, cost and markets and innovation policy frameworks. Before joining IRENA, Gielen was Chief of the Energy Efficiency and Policy Unit at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Previously, he was a Senior Energy Technology Policy Analyst at the International Energy Agency.

Access the full interview here.

Speakers included Eng. Khaled Abu Bakr, chairman of TAQA Arabia, IGU President David Carroll & H.E. Eng. Tarek El Molla, Minister of Petroleum & Mineral Resources and discussions focused on energy opportunities in Egypt as well as preparations for the upcoming World Gas Conference.

Read the translated El Shorouk newspaper article here.