'Midstream' Central in Already Strong Market

摘要

The U.S. petroleum market continued to show strength in 2012, with daily domestic crude-oil production reaching 6.5 million barrels-a 23% increase from four years ago, according to the U.S. Energy Information Agency. While natural-gas production is holding steady at 2 trillion cu ft per day, EIA expects that figure to rise as new shale plays are developed, potentially putting the U.S. in a position to be a net exporter of liquid fuels within 20 years. This activity, and the prospect of much more to come, is welcome news to design firms serving oil and gas producers, particularly for "midstream" projects-those that move oil and gas products from the wells to refineries and shipping terminals. "All midstream pipeline companies are struggling with this," says Ron Chu, business group president for Pasadena, Calif-based Tetra Tech. "There's a huge need for pipeline infrastructure."