Texas judge signs injunction to halt construction of Keystone XL pipeline

by Stibbs & Co., P.C. on December 13, 2012

TransCanada's Keystone XL pipeline has been a lightning rod for controversy since it first entered the public discourse several years ago.

Environmentalists argue that it will pose a significant threat to public health and speed up the development of Canada's "tar sands," which are believed cause more carbon emissions than traditional oil field production.

Meanwhile, the pipeline's supporters say it will capitalize on U.S. refining capabilities to create domestic jobs and reduce the country's dependence on petroleum imports from unstable nations in the Middle East.

President Obama rejected TransCanada's original proposal, citing the risks involved in routing the pipeline over the Ogallala Aquifer, which is a major source of water for both drinking and irrigating farmland. However, the company was encouraged to begin construction on a Southern section of the pipeline that would relieve a bottleneck in Cushing, Oklahoma and facilitate the transportation of crude oil to refineries in Texas.

Now, Michael Bishop, who owns 20 acres in the town of Douglass, about 160 miles north of Houston, is throwing a wrench in TransCanada's plans with a lawsuit seeking to halt the pipeline's construction.

Bishop claims the company lied to Texas landowners when it said the pipeline would transport "crude oil." Although TransCanada holds that tar sands are a form of crude, Judge Jack Sinz signed an injunction barring further work on the pipeline until after a December 19 hearing.

In a press release, the company asserted that the injunction will not affect its construction timeline. However, there is a risk that the case will drag on and begin to cause problems.

There are many opportunities for growth in the Houston oil and gas sector, but businesses constantly face the risk that legal challenges will prevent them from reaching their goals. Experienced Houston attorneys can help firms operating in the area settle disputes and move forward with their ventures.

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Houston-based Ursa Resources acquires natural gas and pipeline assets for $325 million

by Stibbs & Co., P.C. on November 12, 2012

The purchase of new assets is often a key strategy in the efforts of Houston oil and gas exploration firms looking to increase their market share. The Houston Business Journal reported that Ursa Resources, a local firm, has reached an agreement to buy assets from Colorado-based Antero Resources for $325 million.

The assets include natural gas and pipeline resources. Further explanation of this particular acquisition will be revealed this week in Colorado at a county commissioners' meeting. Don Simpson, a landman from Ursa Resources, will discuss the effects of this sale, which includes more aggressive drilling processes than the former company utilized.

"We do plan to develop probably more aggressively than Antero," Simpson told the Glenwood Springs Post Independent. "We can drill at today's gas prices."

The Piceance Basin region includes many opportunities for drilling throughout western Colorado, eastern Utah and southern Wyoming, but activity has decreased in recent years due to the decline in natural gas prices. Along with this acquisition, Ursa Resources will also be building an office in Denver, said Simpson in a statement.

More local companies could make additional investments in oil and gas assets if drilling conditions improve, and business lawyers can offer the legal support needed to leverage new opportunities into beneficial contractual agreements. Research performed by Baker Hughes Inc reported a rise in the domestic oil and gas rig count, reversing recent declines. The total number of rigs increased by six to 1,806 during the week that ended on November 9, up from 1,800 the week before. 

The majority of firms were exploring for oil while the rest were geared toward gas exploration. Texas, North Dakota and Alaska made the highest gains in rig count while New Mexico and Arkansas lost some units.

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Pipeline Engineer

Pipeline Engineer
Based Aberdeen
Contract Duration 12 Months
Rate£ TBC per day

Our Client is one of the largest integrated energy companies in the world, they are currently seeking a Pipeline Engineer who will be responsible for carrying out the following functions:

Experience: Experience within a Major Capital Project.
Preferred Skills: Exercise a high degree of independence. - The ability to interact effectively with a variety of joint venture, project management and contractor personnel is essential. - Must be flexible, goal-oriented and have strong interpersonal skills, a professional demeanor and the ability to work with minimal supervision. - Excellent communication skills both written and verbal at all levels both internally and externally.

Job Description: The Export Pipeline Package Project is currently in Phase 2, with pipeline pre-FEED (Front End Engineering and Design) activities continuing for the first half of 2012. Pipeline FEED is anticipated to commence mid-2012. FEED is likely to occur in Aberdeen, but could also be executed elsewhere in the UK. Relocation to the FEED location may be required. During 2012 and 2013 it is likely that some level of international business travel to Main Facilities FEED location or elsewhere will be required during the normal course of FEED engineering, stakeholder engagement, vendor visits, etc.

Key Job Responsibilities : - Responsible for all activities pertaining to design, procurement, fabrication and HUC of the export pipeline (and coordination / interface with other functional teams) - Interaction with many different stakeholders and interface parties in the local area (Aberdeen) - Build beneficial relationships with local stakeholders, operators and the main FEED is essential - Assist the Export Pipeline Package Manager with defining and implementing the export pipeline execution plan. - Overall accountability and responsibility for engineering, procurement and construction of all export pipeline. The Pipeline Engineer - Pipeline will be required to work extremely closely with the Subsea, FPSO, Installation and HUC Managers, as well as the Project Manager - Facilities and Commercial Manager. This will require regular travel to, and video/teleconference with, the main FEED team location.

Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent. Preferred in Mechanical, Petroleum, Civil, Marine, Material or Electrical engineering.

For more information and to apply please get in touch

View the original article here

SUBSEA PIPELINE Engineer - URGENT– Abderdeen / London / Norway £----£ ---- good rates/high salaries---£---£

SUBSEA PIPELINE Engineer - URGENT– Abderdeen / London / Norway £----£ ---- good rates/high salaries---£---£

Are you a skilled pipeline engineer looking for a new challenge for a market leading organisation?

Our client is a leading global engineering company based in Europe; they are currently looking to hire an experienced pipeline engineer to join their well respected team of professionals.

The key skills required are:

- BSc required MSc desired PhD preferred
- Chartered status desired
- Experience on offshore pipeline structures
- Design experience
- Experience managing a team
- International experience
- Client facing ability
- FEA experience preferred

This company is offering an excellent salary/ rate with challenging job situations, career development and satisfaction. The role has the potential to lead to seniority or further projects within the company, focussing your specialised knowledge of pipeline and pipeline design codes experience to ensure a fulfilling career.

SUBSEA PIPELINE Engineer - URGENT– Abderdeen / London / Norway £----£ ---- good rates/high salaries---£---£

To apply for this exciting position apply for jobs at 004420 7078 0568.
Or email dan.brook@lakingaranmoorhouse.com

- BSc required MSc desired PhD preferred
- Chartered status desired
- Experience on offshore pipeline structures
- Design experience
- Experience managing a team
- International experience
- Client facing ability
- FEA experience preferred

SUBSEA PIPELINE Engineer - URGENT– Abderdeen / London / Norway £----£ ---- good rates/high salaries---£---£

View the original article here

Lead Pipeline Engineer - Offshore Oil & Gas

Our client, a leading Engineering and management contractor in the oil and gas industry, due to a new five year PMC project award now seeks a Lead Pipeline Engineer to join their PMC team in Abu Dhabi. The operator intends to embark on various projects, both onshore ( islands ) and offshore, to maintain existing facilities and enhance oil and gas production from it's main reservoir incorporating, Production, Water Injection, Observation, Gas Injection and Gas Lift Wells. The overall mission of the PMC team is to manage the EPC contractors deliverables through FEED to Construction, Commissioning and final Handover stage. In terms of the pipline content this would encompass, Pipeline materials selection, stress engineering and subsea pipeline design & engineering.
In addition you would also be responsible to assist PMC Project Manager ( as offhore prime ) on all project management issues related to the subsea pipeline and offshore facilities on the field.
Suitable candidates will need to be Degree qualified with a minimum of ten years post graduate experience with at least three years in a PMC/Consultants role. Preference will be given to those with previous Middle East experience.

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Principal & Senior Subsea Pipeline Engineers

 Key Responsibilities and Duties:

Perform engineering duties as advised under supervision of assigned, Lead Engineer, Project Manager or supervisor
Take responsibility for fulfilling engineering scope, checking calculations and analyses
Ensure compliance with corporate and project QMS and HSE procedures
Supervise and co-ordinate engineers and draughtsmen
Liaise with other members of the project team
Proficient in writing and checking of design reports and calculation sheets
Have experience of preparation of procurement data sheets and material and
fabrication specifications
Liaise with material and equipment suppliers
Undertake assignments in client offices, vessels or on-site
Support to bid preparation
Provide input to development of engineering methodologies and tools
Undertake research and development projects
Contribute to the Company Technical and Marketing Publications and presentations

Competencies and Experience:
The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years experience with a minimum of 5 years of direct offshore pipeline and subsea design experience
Preferably gained experience in design engineers/consultants or installation contractors
Competent in subsea pipeline design
Competent in use of relevant codes and software
Construction and offshore experience desirable
Specialist knowledge in materials or corrosion beneficial
Project engineering experience desirable
Experience in bid preparation

Preferred Software Experience:
Sage Profile
Orcaflex/Flecom or similar
FS2000
Abacus
Mathcad
MS Word and Excel

To apply for this position, candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UKMatchtech Group Plc is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.

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*Discipline* Subsea Pipeline Engineer- URGENT– UK , , £ + + + competitive salary/ rate £

 

Discipline* Subsea Pipeline Engineer- URGENT– UK , , £ + + + competitive salary/ rate £

Are you a skilled pipeline engineer looking for a new challenge for a market leading organisation?

Our client is a leading global engineering company based in the UK; they are currently looking to hire an experienced senior pipeline to join their well respected team of professionals.

The key skills required are:

-BSc required MSc desired PhD preferred

-Chartered status desired

-Experience on onshore and offshore pipeline
structures

-Design experience

-Experience managing a team

-International experience

-Client facing ability

This company is offering an excellent salary/ rate with challenging job situations, career development and satisfaction. The role has the potential to lead to seniority or further projects within the company, focussing your specialised knowledge of pipeline and pipeline design codes experience to ensure a fulfilling career.

Discipline *Senior* Subsea Pipeline - URGENT– UK, £ + + + +

To apply for this exciting position apply for jobs at 004420
7078 0568.

Or email Subsea@lakingaranmoorhouse.com

- BSc required MSc desired PhD preferred

- Chartered status desired

- Experience on onshore and offshore pipeline
structures

- Design experience

- Experience managing a team

- International experience

- Client facing ability

Discipline *Senior* Subsea Pipeline - URGENT– UK, £ + + + +

View the original article here