Midstream Services

Gathering Systems to Distribution Systems

EARTHRES is Midstream

From its Energy Services offices located in the heart of the Appalachian Basin and in the Northeast, EARTHRES provides end-to-end solutions for its midstream segment clients.  The midstream segment, extending from receipt point interconnects with production, gathering or transmission transportation pipelines to delivery points into Distribution systems and other end-use customers, is an industry backbone segment comprised of both regulated and unregulated operating companies.  EARTHRES’ team of engineers, designers, regulatory and permitting staff, and others stand ready to assist or lead your projects focused on new pipeline and plant development, existing pipeline and plant expansion, operations optimization, and pipeline and plant abandonment.

EARTHRES is midstream.  For our regulated clients subject to jurisdiction by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the U.S. Department of Transportation – Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (US DOT – PHMSA), and various State Public Utility Commissions, EARTHRES provides solutions that conform to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 190 through 199 and the client’s standards, policies, and procedures.  For our unregulated clients, EARTHRES provides solutions utilizing the client’s standards, policies, and procedures augmented with EARTHRES’ industry-accepted standards, policies, and procedures.  We provide pipeline facility designs to meet FERC 7(c), 2.55(a), 2.55(b), and Blanket Authorization projects.  And, we provide facility designs subject to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) Process Safety Management (PSM) regulations.  In addition to facility engineering and design, EARTHRES assists clients with consulting on a project’s front-end commercial development and evaluation, preparation of Applications and supporting documents for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, construction contractor bidding and selection, commissioning and start-up of new facilities, and post-construction testing and reporting.

EARTHRES’ staff of civil, mechanical, structural, chemical, petroleum, and electrical engineers bring industry operating experience to your midstream project.  We understand the business aspects of the midstream space and use our experience working across many midstream operating companies to develop the very best solution for your needs.  The midstream segment is diverse in terms of equipment and material – from steel pipeline that requires relatively little post-construction operation and maintenance to relatively complex natural gas-fueled turbine-driven centrifugal compressor units, to cryogenic plants that produce Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs) and provide fractionation into purity products.  Each of these facilities requires detailed planning, permitting, engineering, and design to ensure on-spec operation and long life.  EARTHRES has the experience and capacity to deliver these facility designs.

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 GASWorkS^TM, 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 PROMax^TM, 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 GASWorkS^TM, 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-GLYCalc^TM, PROMax^TM, 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.

Commissioning and Startup Services

Once a midstream asset is constructed, EARTHRES can provide experienced operations personnel to assist with or lead the commissioning and startup procedures. Our commissioning and startup services typically involve stationing an engineer or technician on-site full time at the beginning of commissioning but can be tailored to meet your company needs and requirements.  Using EARTHRES to provide your commissioning and startup services ensures that a knowledgeable third-party is looking out for your interests at all times.  EARTHRES commissioning and startup services are available to clients regardless of whether EARTHRES or another vendor developed the IFC Drawing Package.

Should you have an existing midstream facility for which you do not have adequate documentation, EARTHRES can generate an as-built drawing set.  Our experts use the latest Laser Scanning equipment to produce an accurate three dimensional (3D) model of the above ground equipment, piping, structures, and other features.  The 3D model can then be used to produce two dimensional (2D) plan and elevation drawings, and 3D isometric drawings.  The produced drawings, either 2D, 3D, or both, can then be used to document the existing facility and serve as the backdrop for future additions, prepare safety analyses, meet permit requirements and a host of other applications.