With Texans now in the full swing of the holiday season, it is important to take a look at the various ways the oil and natural gas industry in the Lone Star State has hardened important energy infrastructure in preparation for colder weather.
Oil and natural gas operators proactively plan for cold weather well in advance, employing robust resources for continuous monitoring and preparation against inclement weather. Seasonal weatherization techniques on-site involve methods like methanol injection, temperature-activated pumps, steamer units, equipment shelters, and insulation for critical lines and valves to optimize product flow.
Additionally, operators enhance their readiness for inclement weather through various offsite measures, prioritizing the safety of assets and personnel. These measures involve pre-positioning personnel near assets, adjusting schedules, having extra supplies on trucks, preparing and draining tanks for increased on-site storage, conducting pre-inspections, implementing “line-packing” for optimal product flow in pipelines, and maintaining constant communication with third-party vendors. Finally, operators identify critical assets to ensure power continuity from electric utilities and uninterrupted production during adverse weather conditions.
Texas’ extensive underground natural gas storage ensures robust access to power generations and distribution during weather events and production fluctuations. The significant 860 billion cubic feet (Bcf) underground storage capacity can sustain 5 Bcf/d of generation for approximately 164 days or meet Texas’ average natural gas consumption for 64 days.
Further, over the past year the state’s average natural gas production surpassed 31 Bcf/d, with electricity generation utilizing about 5 Bcf/d – making it clear that Texas’ natural gas production is more than enough to meet the state’s electricity generation needs.
The Texas Oil & Gas Association’s (TXOGA) Winter Ready website, launched in 2021, features information and resources for the public, policy makers and media about winter weather protocols of oil and natural gas facilities and includes photos and explanations of winterization techniques, as well as explains other improvements that have been made along the entire electricity supply chain in response to Winter Storm Uri.
“Most oil and natural gas companies have long employed best practices, including weatherization, to keep product flowing and these measures are well underway to prepare for winter,” said Todd Staples, president of TXOGA. “We launched our ‘Winter Ready’ website to share information about the many proactive measures taken to keep product moving, from the pad site to the compressor station, along the pipeline and to the refinery, regardless of the temperature, and also to explain other measures industry is involved in to prepare for all types of weather. These best practices and techniques, coupled with continuous power, are extremely important to ensuring the power is kept on should Texas experience another emergency situation.”
Following Winter Storm Uri, the Texas Legislature passed reforms to harden the state’s electric grid. Critical load designations were established for the most critical natural gas assets and related systems, and the Texas Electricity Supply Chain Security and Mapping Committee mapped natural gas facilities directly tied to power generation. Further, these natural gas facilities integrated into the electricity supply chain must furnish an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) to the Railroad Commission of Texas. The Commission assesses the EOPs provided by operators and produces a Weather Emergency Preparedness Report, focusing on weatherization readiness. This comprehensive report is mandated to be submitted to the Legislature by September 30th of every even-numbered year. By fall 2023, the Commission has executed more than 7,000 site-specific inspections on critical natural gas infrastructure.
Staples highlighted that the winterization requirements extend to external support operations, including water disposal wells, to sustain oil and natural gas production.
While Texas produces sufficient natural gas, Staples urges preparedness for any weather, highlighting the industry’s continued commitment to winter readiness and calling on all Texans to be prepared. The sector consistently evaluates and enhances its systems. Like any mechanical systems, oil and natural gas production faces the impact of abrupt weather changes, yet there is a steadfast dedication to supplying the essential products that power our everyday lives.
Read more about steps being taken by the Texas oil and gas industry to prepare for winter weather at www.txoga.org/winterready.
