WE DELIVER
Upstream. Midstream. Downstream. LNG.
From wellhead to burner tip, the expert energy team at EARTHRES will manage the new asset engineering, design, and operations and maintenance engineering for your next upstream, midstream, downstream or small-scale LNG project. Decades of experience and sound engineering practices, design methods and standards allow us to achieve high reliability and minimal execution risk for our clients, all while still keeping long-term client goals in sight. Our licensed, Professional Engineers utilize software tools such as HYSYS and proprietary modeling systems to select the correct equipment for your application. They are also NACE® certified in corrosion detection and cathodic protection technology and are members of AGA, GOWV, and OOGA. They also provide professional training on engineering, design, and operations of compressor stations, measurement and regulation stations, transmission, gathering and distribution pipelines, underground storage, and other facilities.
Energy service group
Energy facilities
EARTHRES’ Energy Services group is also skilled in the regulatory and commercial aspects of the entire natural gas value chain. Whether you are working on a non-jurisdictional pipeline in the upstream segment, an LNG peaking facility, or anything in between, EARTHRES will support your project needs with engineering and design that meets the project’s commercial and regulatory needs. We work in both the unregulated and regulated spaces and can help guide project execution to successfully navigate the applicable Federal, State, and Local regulations as applicable. EARTHRES understands the commercial aspects of the industry segments and uses this expertise to go the extra mile to ensure our clients get engineering, design, and other deliverables that are fit for purpose.
- EXPLORE
Our services
Facilities Design
What kinds of midstream facilities can EARTHRES engineer and design? Virtually any of them. While we don’t engineer specific equipment or processes (e.g., compression equipment or demethanizer columns), we do engineer and design all types of vendor-supplied equipment and processes into buildable, operable, and maintainable midstream facilities. These facilities include any of the following:
Pipeline
Whether your pipeline is a 42-inch diameter steel pipe transporting natural gas across the country, a 4-inch diameter stainless steel pipe carrying liquid Propane within a gas processing facility, or a 24-inch diameter pipeline transporting mixed liquids, EARTHRES can support all aspects of your project. From pipeline system network modeling to Alignment Sheet development to hydrostatic testing and commissioning, EARTHRES will deliver engineering and design services specific to your needs. These services may include:
- Conceptual Design – Many pipeline projects begin with planning and network analysis. EARTHRES can provide consulting and network analysis services for Gathering, Transmission, Storage, and Distribution pipeline systems. EARTHRES applies network analysis software tools such as GASWorkSTM, WinFlow, WinTran, and Synergi Gas. These tools allow rapid development of pipeline system hydraulic models including the pipe, compression, regulation, and receipt and delivery points.
- New Facility Permitting – Unlike many engineering and design firms, EARTHRES provides permitting services with internal staff. The permitting staff works hand-in-hand with the engineering and design staff to produce permit applications, eliminating the risk and potential delays associated with hand-offs to other permitting firms.
- Final Design – When the conceptual design advances to the appropriate point, EARTHRES’ civil and mechanical engineers will complete the final design work in accordance with CFR Part 192, CFR Part 195, ASME B31.8, and other applicable Codes and regulations to produce an Issued for Bid (IFB) Drawing Package. We typically use AutoCAD 2D or AutoCAD Civil 3D to produce a drawing set for bidding. Once bids are received, changes are made to the IFB Drawing Package to produce the Issued for Construction (IFC) Drawing Package. Equipment and material typically specified, engineered, sized and designed include:
- Line Pipe, in accordance with American Petroleum Institute API 5L or other applicable specification
- Mainline Valve Settings
- Pig Launcher(s) and Receiver(s)
- Horizontal Directional Drilled (HDD) Sections
- Jack and Bore Sections
- Corrosion Protection System(s)
Gas Cleaning, Conditioning, and Processing
When gas moves from the upstream segment into the midstream segment the gas must usually be cleaned, conditioned, and processed prior to entering the Transmission pipeline system. From process modeling to IFB and IFC Drawing Package development to hydrostatic testing and commissioning, EARTHRES will deliver engineering and design services specific to your needs. These services may include:
- Conceptual Design – EARTHRES delivers engineering solutions specific to gas cleaning, conditioning, and processing for Gathering, Transmission, Storage, and Distribution pipeline systems. EARTHRES applies software tools such as PROMaxTM, HYSYS, and vendor-specific proprietary modeling systems to select the correct equipment for your application.
- Final Design – When the conceptual design advances to the appropriate point, EARTHRES’ civil, process, electrical, and mechanical engineers will complete the final design work in accordance with CFR Part 192, CFR Part 195, ASME B31.8, ASME B31.3, NFPA 59, and other applicable Codes and regulations to produce an IFB Drawing Package. We typically use AutoCAD Plant 3D to produce a drawing set for bidding. Once bids are received, changes are made to the IFB Drawing Package to produce the IFC Drawing Package. Equipment and material typically specified, engineered, sized and designed include:
- Scrubber(s)
- Filter/Separator(s)
- Liquid Desiccant Dehydration System(s) (Monoethylene, Diethylene, or Triethylene Glycol)
- Solid Desiccant Dehydration System(s) (Molecular Sieve, Silica Gel, Activated Alumina, Deliquescent)
- External Mechanical Refrigeration Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) Plants
- Turboexpander Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) Plants
- Joule-Thompson (J-T) Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) Plants
- Vapor Recovery Unit(s) (VRUs)
- Pipe, Valves, and Fittings
- Corrosion Protection System(s)
Compression and Pumping
With few exceptions, Gathering, Storage, and Transmission pipelines need compression and pumping to keep the gas and liquids flowing. Compression and pumping stations can be relatively complex facilities requiring a level of engineering and design expertise. EARTHRES has that expertise. Whether your requirement is a single 500-horsepower (HP) unit on a Gathering pipeline or a 40,000 HP multi-unit station on a Transmission pipeline, EARTHRES can support all aspects of your project. From compressor or pumping unit modeling to station modeling, hydrostatic testing and commissioning, EARTHRES will deliver engineering and design services specific to your needs. These services may include:
- Conceptual Design – EARTHRES delivers engineering solutions specific to compression and pumping for Gathering, Transmission, Storage, and Distribution pipeline systems. EARTHRES applies software tools such as GASWorkSTM, WinFlow, WinTran, Synergi Gas, Synergi Plant, and vendor-specific proprietary modeling systems to select the correct compression and pumping equipment for your application.
- Final Design – When the conceptual design advances to the appropriate point, EARTHRES’ civil, electrical, and mechanical engineers will complete the final design work in accordance with CFR Part 192, CFR Part 195, ASME B31.8, ASME B31.3, AGA XL1001, and other applicable Codes and regulations to produce an IFB Drawing Package. We typically use AutoCAD Plant 3D to produce a drawing set for bidding. Once bids are received, changes are made to the IFB Drawing Package to produce the IFC Drawing Package. Equipment and material typically specified, engineered, sized and designed include:
- Scrubber(s)
- Filter/Separator(s)
- Compressor(s) –
- Reciprocating
- Centrifugal
- Screw
- Other
- Driver(s) –
- Natural Gas-Fueled Reciprocating Engine
- Natural Gas-Fueled Turbine
- Low Speed Electric Motor
- High Speed Electric Motor
- Foundation(s)
- Fuel Gas System(s)
- Starting System(s)
- Cooling System(s)
- Lighting System(s)
- Automation System(s)
- Air Intake and Exhaust System(s)
- Electrical Power and Motor Control System(s)
- Building(s)
- Building Heating System(s)
- Pipe, Valves, and Fittings
- Tanks(s)
- Corrosion Protection System(s)
Measurement, Regulation, and Flow Control
Measurement, regulation, and flow control equipment is needed at various points along pipeline systems, most notably where changes in custody or ownership of the transported commodity occur. Measurement and regulation (M&R) stations can be moderately complex facilities. Whether your requirement is a single 2-inch orifice meter for measurement of fuel gas or a 1.0 BCF/D ultrasonic meter on a Transmission pipeline, EARTHRES can support all aspects of your project. From M&R station flow modeling to hydrostatic testing and commissioning, EARTHRES will deliver engineering and design services specific to your needs. These services may include:
- Conceptual Design – EARTHRES delivers engineering solutions specific to measurement, regulation, and flow control for Gathering, Transmission, Storage, and Distribution pipeline systems. EARTHRES applies software tools such as Pipeline Toolbox, AGA Report No. 3, AGA Report No. 5, AGA Report No. 7, AGA Report No. 9, and vendor-specific proprietary modeling systems to size and select the correct measurement, regulation, and flow control equipment for your application.
- Final Design – When the conceptual design advances to the appropriate point, EARTHRES’ civil, electrical, and mechanical engineers will complete the final design work in accordance with CFR Part 192, Part 195, ASME B31.8, ASME B31.3, AGA XL1001, and other applicable Codes and regulations to produce an IFB Drawing Package. We typically use AutoCAD Plant 3D to produce a drawing set for bidding. Once bids are received, changes are made to the IFB Drawing Package to produce the IFC Drawing Package. Equipment and material typically specified, engineered, sized and designed include:
- Filter/Separator(s)
- Line Heater(s)
- Meter(s) –
- Orifice
- Turbine
- Ultrasonic
- Coriolis
- Rotary
- Diaphragm
- Regulator(s)
- Flow Controller(s)
- Automation
- Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System
- Gas Chromatography System
- Water and Hydrocarbon Dewpoint Measurement System(s)
- Odorant Injection System(s)
- Building(s)
- Building Heating System(s)
- Pipe, Valves, and Fittings
- Tanks(s)
- Corrosion Protection System(s)
Operations Permitting
Should the compression, pumping, gas cleaning, gas processing, or other equipment produce exhaust or other emissions, EARTHRES has the resources to support the acquisition of permits to install and permits to operate the emissions-producing equipment. We use GRI-GLYCalcTM, PROMaxTM, and vendor-specific proprietary modeling systems as required by permit applications.
Midstream Construction Quality Assurance (CQA)
Once a midstream asset is under construction, EARTHRES can provide experienced construction inspection personnel to ensure the construction is completed in conformance with the IFC Drawing Package. Our CQA services may place one or more inspectors on-site full time at the beginning of construction, or they may be tailored to meet your company needs and requirements. Using EARTHRES to provide your CQA services ensures that a knowledgeable third-party is looking out for your interests at all times. EARTHRES CQA services are available to clients regardless of whether EARTHRES or another vendor developed the IFC Drawing Package.
Improvement. Compliance. Profitability.
EARTHRES specializes in the design of landfill gas (LFG)/biogas collection systems, landfill gas to energy (LFGTE) systems, high BTU and direct LFG/biogas use project applications, regulatory compliance and LFG system operations support. Our gas collection system designs offer active area collection, dewatering strategies and elevated temperature management features for our clients, while our highly experienced field technicians provide operations support, maintenance, and training. Our gas system controls are uniquely designed to maximize operating efficiencies and maintain regulatory compliance for landfill and digester projects. We are proud to support clients with onsite and remote monitoring, reporting, and data management services to supplement their in-house capabilities.
Our fully integrated approach to LFGTE/biogas design ranges from early feasibility studies and gas modeling through contract development, engineering design, SCADA and remote telemetry applications for system monitoring, control and data collection/management, construction quality assurance (CQA), operations support, system optimization and troubleshooting, and ongoing maintenance. EARTHRES will work seamlessly with both the landfill and third-party LFGTE contractor to develop a successful beneficial use project. We understand the complexities and nuances associated with site compliance and optimization for revenue generation and we have the experience and strategies to meet both requirements.
EARTHRES is unique in that our staff is well-versed in low-pressure landfill gas/biogas management system design as well as high-pressure applications associated with mid-stream natural gas projects. Our clients benefit as a result of our experience in both these fields and our ability to apply innovative technologies across the market sectors. Our mid-stream experience can also be extremely beneficial to our biogas clients during the development and design of renewable natural gas high BTU projects and their associated interconnects with the natural gas pipeline system. Our mechanical and process design expertise is also very helpful to LFG direct use applications which are becoming more prevalent as the LFGTE market has matured and many prime landfill sites have developed projects. EARTHRES also has experience with biosolids processing and conversion facility design and permitting. We provide these services for both the domestic and international markets.
Landfill Gas, Digester Biogas and Landfill Gas to Energy Services:
- Conceptual design, feasibility studies, and due diligence
- LFG/biogas characterization and modeling
- Permitting and regulatory support
- Site monitoring and air quality permitting
- Technological evaluation, alternatives assessment, engineering design, economic/financial analyses, and equipment/instrumentation procurement
- Control strategies, control system design, fabrication, installation, and commissioning
- Assisting owner to realize the full potential of project tax credits, renewable energy certificates, bonds, and incentives
- Integration of LFG/LFGTE project with overall landfill design, permitting, and construction/expansion
- Condensate and leachate treatability studies and treatment system design
- Complete site and facility design
- Construction bid document preparation, bid evaluation, construction quality assurance, and construction management
- System commissioning
- System operation/support and troubleshooting
EARTHRES will provide you with unique strengths, including but not limited to:
- Troubleshooting and optimization of under-performing gas systems
- Intermediate system designs and operational strategies to maximize gas collection and odor control in active waste disposal areas
- Integration of multiple gas end uses (flares, turbines, engines, boilers)
- LFGTE strategies to balance odor control and gas quality
- Experienced field technicians provide operations, maintenance, and training support
- Pilot-scale landfill gas treatment and condensate collection systems
Upstream. Midstream. Downstream. LNG.
From wellhead to burner tip, the expert energy team at EARTHRES will manage the new asset engineering, design, and operations and maintenance engineering for your next upstream, midstream, downstream or small-scale LNG project. Decades of experience and sound engineering practices, design methods and standards allow us to achieve high reliability and minimal execution risk for our clients, all while still keeping long-term client goals in sight. Our licensed, Professional Engineers are members of AGA, PIOGA, IOGAWV, and OOGA, and hold NACE® certification in corrosion detection and cathodic protection technology. They also provide professional training on engineering, design, and operations of compressor stations, measurement and regulation stations, transmission, gathering and distribution pipelines, underground storage, and other facilities.
Aerial site mapping, real-time combustible gas monitoring and remote sensing of geohazards on pipelines can help maintain cost effectiveness and compliance on projects for pipeline and facility design. Whether laying out a new well pad for production, installing interstate transmission pipeline or replacing cast iron distribution pipeline and designing or modifying station facilities, our clients can be assured that we employ the latest technologies in all project designs, including:
- Autodesk® AutoCAD® Plant 3D
- Autodesk® AutoCAD® Civil 3D
- Aspen HYSYS®
- Pipeline Toolbox®
- Drone Surveying and GIS Mapping
- Remote Gas Monitoring
EARTHRES’ Energy Services group is also skilled in the regulatory and commercial aspects of the entire natural gas value chain. Whether you are working on a non-jurisdictional pipeline in the upstream segment, an LNG peaking facility, or anything in between, EARTHRES will support your project needs with engineering and design that meets the project’s commercial and regulatory needs. We work in both the unregulated and regulated spaces and can help guide project execution to successfully navigate the applicable Federal, State, and Local regulations as applicable. EARTHRES understands the commercial aspects of the industry segments and uses this expertise to go the extra mile to ensure our clients get engineering, design, and other deliverables that are fit for purpose.
Operating Facility Support
Once a facility or equipment is up and running and under the control of your operations staff, there may be a need for ongoing operations support. This support could be intermittent or long-term. Whatever the duration, EARTHRES can provide the following engineering-based services to help keep the facility or equipment in service:
- Corrosion Protection – Engineering, design, installation, operation of Galvanic (or Sacrificial) System and Impressed Current System
- Ultrasonic Thickness Testing – Program development and execution
- PSV (Pressure Safety Valve) Studies – Existing facilities and new designs
- Flare Studies – Existing facilities and new designs
- Remote Gas Monitoring – continuous area monitoring for the presence of gas; alarm locally and remotely if gas detected
- Operator Qualification – Program Development; Training to perform Covered Tasks; Employee Evaluation and Certification; Contractor Evaluation and Certification
- Laser Scanning and Preparation of As-Built Drawings
- Vibration Testing, Analysis, and Mitigation Studies
- Dispersion Studies – Modeling and analysis of gas plume drift and dispersion
On-time Project Execution
CQA Services Ensure Compliance with Construction Drawings
EARTHRES offers oil and gas construction engineering support and inspection for your facility construction projects. We will oversee the successful implementation of your gas or shale gas facility development project from beginning to end. Our fully rounded capabilities in water resource engineering, impoundment design, wetlands identification, hydrogeology, environmental permitting, engineering, and construction give EARTHRES an edge you can’t find just anywhere.
EARTHRES assists and performs the planning and permitting processes, engineering and design, and construction inspection and commissioning. Our clients value our diverse and experienced staff and services, as well as our high‐quality and timely work. Our trusted and passionate team of engineers, hydrogeologists, technicians, and environmental scientists ensure a successful project with solutions in planning, permitting, engineering, environmental management, mining solutions, water resource management, and air solutions.
Our construction quality assurance and control services (CQA) vary in response to the needs and requirements of each client and project. Representative examples of CQA services applicable to well pad construction and provided by a Field Services Technician/Utility Inspector are listed below.
- Inspection and documentation of all materials for conformance with project specifications for quality and quantity
- Compaction testing and documentation to ensure all structured backfill material conforms with Geotechnical Report
- Inspection, verification, and documentation of all Toe-of-Fill or Toe Key features for conformance with project specifications for dimensions, quality, and quantity
- Description and quantification of all construction contractor equipment and personnel active on the construction project each day
- Description of inspection activities performed each day
- Completion of Daily Report using either client’s or EARTHRES’ form
- Store all photographic documentation in a chronological file
CQA services provided for larger and more complex projects often require a team of inspectors. A complete list of inspection team classifications typically contains the following:
- Construction Manager
- Office Manager
- Project Scheduler
- Project Controls Technician
- Chief Inspector
- Certified Welding Inspector
- Welding Inspector
- NACE-Certified Coating Inspector
- NDE/NDT Inspector
- Electrical Inspector
- Automation and Instrumentation Inspector
- Environmental Inspector
- Safety Inspector
- Materials Inspector
- Utility Inspector
Construction Quality Assurance and Inspection
Whether your project involves the construction of a cross-country pipeline or additions inside the fence of an existing facility, construction usually begins by identifying the Limits of Disturbance (LOD) and installing environmental controls.
The LOD are usually established on paper by a team consisting of pipeline and/or facility design engineers, construction experts, environmental permitting personnel, right-of-way personnel, and perhaps others. For a pipeline project this team possesses the knowledge needed to know when a pipeline construction corridor needs to be increased or decreased in width, where additional temporary workspace will be needed, e.g. at road crossings, adjacent to wetland and waterbody crossings, and where construction personnel, equipment, and material staging areas need to be established.
For a facility project, this team possesses the knowledge needed to know how large a site must be to accommodate the finished facility as well as where additional temporary workspace will be needed for equipment and material storage, and locations for permanent stormwater management basins and other environmental features. EARTHRES’ engineering, design, construction, and environmental personnel can support the project planning needed to establish the LOD on paper as well as laying out the LOD in the field.
Environmental controls are typically identified in the Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (ESCP) document. Erosion, stormwater management, sediment control, and the maintenance and reporting associated with these functions are typically significant activities on pipeline and facility construction projects. Knowing where and how to employ erosion and sediment control devices such as silt fence, super silt fence, trench breakers, silt socks, dewatering devices, straw bale diversions, temporary and permanent seed mixtures, and a host of other soil stabilization methods is critical to effective erosion and sediment control. EARTHRES’ environmental permitting & compliance team has the first-hand knowledge to develop effective erosion mitigation and sediment control procedures. Our environmental monitoring and reporting team can assist or manage these activities as required by your specific ESCP permit(s).
Either full service or specific components, EARTHRES can prepare the ESCP document on the project’s front end, and oversee the installation of the environmental controls to ensure as-designed performance.
Ongoing Operation and Maintenance
As construction winds down and the new project transfers from commissioning to operation, the operating permit requirements move to the forefront. There may also be post-construction requirements in the construction permits that need to be satisfied to achieve full, unrestricted operation. For example, exhaust emissions testing, sound level surveys, and wetland replacement requirements may all be part of the environmental permits to allow construction. EARTHRES is here to assist with executing these and other follow-up tests and inspections. Additionally, EARTHRES provides ongoing, day-to-day on-site field environmental services such as stormwater sampling, analysis, and release recommendations, wetland delineation and monitoring, erosion and sediment control monitoring and reporting, and a host of other active construction and restoration site environmental services.
Upstream, Midstream, or Downstream. Conventional or Unconventional production. Regulated or Unregulated. EARTHRES works across the environmental spectrum in all of these operating arenas. Let us put our diversity of experience and approach to work for your energy environmental services needs.
We have the experience you need.
We take the stress out of our clients’ projects by managing all phases of the permitting process and keeping in line with environmental guidelines and FERC, EPA, OSHA, and State regulations, as required by project complexity and location. With comprehensive services that include geotechnical investigations, remote combustible gas monitoring, waste processing and disposal engineering, and mineral processing and frac sand sourcing, our trusted oil & gas market experience ensures our clients with successful projects in all market segments.
We take the stress out of our clients’ exploration and production projects by managing all phases of well pad surface facilities development, existing well pad modifications or the well pad deactivation.
EARTHRES supports all aspects of midstream asset development for natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGL) and oil in the Appalachian Basin and beyond, with ‘on the ground presence’ in Marcellus and Utica shale plays. Let us perform the planning and permitting processes, engineering and design, and construction inspection and commissioning.
Beginning with receipt point from transmission or gathering pipelines, EARTHRES has extensive experience in all downstream facilities engineering and distribution systems. Let us design your cast iron and bare steel replacement systems, polyethylene and steel pipelines and networks, including cathodic protection and district regulator station. We engineer large-scale projects involving the replacement of deteriorated distribution systems and design SCADA facilities.
With on-ground representation in the Marcellus-Utica shale play, we will manage the development of all surface facilities for your unconventional tight and shale gas projects.
With on-ground representation in the Marcellus-Utica shale play, we will manage the development of all surface facilities for your unconventional tight and shale gas projects.
Let us navigate the complex web of FERC, DOT, PHMSA, OSHA, EPA, and state regulations to gain proper permitting and maintain compliance for your project.
Let us do the due diligence for the permitting, grading, roadway design, as-builts, project specifications, project management and construction quality assurance (CQA).
Our extensive knowledge in soils, geology and water resource engineering and environmental permitting are crucial for the effectiveness of your operation. From evaluating the environmental impacts of alternative sites to wetlands delineation to stormwater sampling at operating locations, EARTHRES can manage all of your energy facility’s environmental needs.
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Natural Gas Compressor Station Design
Increase midstream client’s natural gas compressor station operating capacity while decreasing operating costs. This was to be achieved through moving from a costly methanol-based hydrate prevention system to a gas-gas heat exchanger system to accomplish temperature stabilization. One caveat, construction must be completed while the station was in operation, with minimal downtime to keep with demand.
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
300-mile Midstream Pipeline Network Cathodic Protection Optimization
Although not required by federal regulations, our client wanted to bring a 300-mile stretch of the client’s intrastate midstream gathering lines into compliance with DOT standards. EARTHRES was selected for this project based on our excellent track record of providing outstanding service and innovative solutions on past projects, and for the training and experience of our NACE-Certified team of technicians.
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