Texas natural gas production, processing, transmission, and storage sectors continue durable performance due to industry efforts. Production has held steady. RBN Energy estimates Texas production for Wednesday, February 1 to be 24.6 BCF.
Downed power lines and road conditions are creating localized challenges but overall strong performance for natural gas production.
Several rounds of wintry mix, primarily freezing rain and possible icing into Wednesday with travel impacts lingering into early Thursday for a large portion of the state, including North, Central, and West Texas.
Moderate to locally major travel impacts and some power outages/tree damage possible Tuesday and Wednesday.
Heavy rain and flash flood potential Wednesday to Thursday for East and Southeast Texas.
TEXAS FIELD CONDITIONS
Natural gas supply is holding strong. Most weather-related issues are due to icy road conditions. There is some production loss within normal conditions. Most issues in the field are due to icy road conditions.
TEXAS POWER STATUS
ERCOT reports operations normal as 10 a.m. Wednesday. Anticipated peak demand is expected to occur at 2 p.m. Available capacity at peak demand is expected to be 74,046 MW, with the demand forecast at 61,442 MW. There is expected to be enough power to meet demand, a news release said.
WINTERIZATION IN THE FIELD
Onsite, seasonal weatherization techniques include methanol injection, temperature activated pumps, steamer units, equipment shelters, and insulated critical lines and valves. Additional pre-storm and offsite measures include:
>> Secure shelter/housing and pre-positioning personnel to be closer to assets for access.
>> Adjust employee schedules to ensure planning and preparations in place.
>> Have extra methanol and other supplies on trucks.
>> Preparing and draining tanks to increase on-site storage and provide a temporary buffer for necessary third-party movement of product.
>> Pre-inspection of assets prior to weather event.
>> “Line-packing” to maximize product and pressurization in pipelines.
>> Communication with third party vendors to prepare for inclement weather contingencies.
>> Identification of the most critical assets to help maintain power from electric utilities.
IMPACT OF WEATHER ON FIELD OPERATIONS
Personnel safety and ensuring safe operations are the first priorities of operators. Many elements can impact continued field operations outside of the operator’s control, including:
>> Transportation – the accumulation of precipitation can impact operators’ ability to access remote well sites to check on operations and make any needed adjustments.
>> Third-party contractor disruptions.
>> Lightning strikes.
>> Loss of power.
>> Telecommunication loss.
For more information on how the Texas oil and natural gas industry prepares for winter weather, visit TXOGA.org/WinterReady.
