Introduction to the Natural Gas Industry, Infrastructure & Regulations

June 10, 2024 | Online :: Central Time

0624-natural-gas-introduction

“Tom seems to have an incredible grasp of the industry, from the science to the economics. The topics he chose to speak on were diverse and well thought out.” – Con Edison

“Tom Russo was excellent, and I was very impressed with his knowledge and teaching capability.” – Department of Energy

“Excellent course—very well structured and organized. Our instructor was terrific, extremely passionate about the Natural Gas Industry. He was also patient in ensuring that participants understood the material before moving on and answered our questions thoughtfully and promptly.” – Enbridge

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“Tom was an excellent speaker. It was clear to me that he is very knowledgeable about the natural gas industry. He was also friendly and made the material very interesting.” –FERC

“Great resource for gaining knowledge in the Gas Industry.” –Channel Sales Analyst, Clearview Energy

“Tom was great! I haven’t had such a knowledgeable teacher in a long time with organizational training.” –Natural Resource Specialist, Division of Energy and Mineral Development

“Mr. Russo is an amazingly knowledgeable speaker. This is one of the most comprehensive conferences/courses/webinars I have ever attended.” –Analyst, Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance

“Excellent entry-level course and a good refresher course for those in the industry.” – Nebraska Public Power District

“This was the best introductory course I have taken regarding the Natural Gas industry. I would highly recommend.” – Williams

“Very knowledgeable, clear concise and provided and information in a way that built upon itself without being overwhelming.” – Nebraska Power

For those new to the Natural Gas industry or those wanting a comprehensive refresher on the ins and outs of the gas industry and markets, this course will present a comprehensive overview of the natural gas industry, related natural gas liquids (NGLs) and shale oil infrastructure.

Attend this highly rated course to learn and review:

• Natural gas terminology
• Measurements and conversions
• The basics of natural gas production, gathering, operations, and markets
• An in-depth explanation of:
  • Natural gas processing plants
  • Pipelines
  • Storage
  • LNG peak shaving plants
  • LNG Import and Export terminals
  • Local distribution companies (LDCs)
• Important components of natural gas transportation, including:
  • Regional costs of firm and interruptible pipeline transportation
  • Nominations
  • Balancing
  • Section 4 and 5 ratemaking proceedings on natural gas pipeline transportation

Learning Outcomes

• Explain the natural gas value chain: upstream, midstream, and downstream
• Discuss natural gas terminology, measurements, and conversions
• Review the basics of natural gas production, gathering, operations, and markets
• Describe the types of shale plays and address natural gas processing plants
• Describe natural gas pipelines, including their parts, how they operate, and their role in a changing market
• Evaluate natural gas storage types, operations, and storage issues
• Discuss liquefied natural gas (LNG) and Local Distribution Companies (LDCs)
• State the process of natural gas infrastructure siting
• Describe how FERC policy, major orders, and regulations have evolved into today’s “Open Access” environment
• Relate an overview of regulated rate components and rate design and new rate policies on the horizon
• Address important components of transportation, including pooling, nominations, confirmations, scheduling, receipt, and balancing

Monday, June 10, 2024 : Central Time

Fundamentals

• Natural gas composition
• Benefits
• Methane
• Industry standard
• Terminology
• Measurements
• Conversions

Natural Gas Industry History & Overview

• Regulation
• Deregulation
• What’s still regulated

Supply, Demand, and Prices

• Primary sources and uses
• Other demand sectors

The Natural Gas Value Chain Overview

• Upstream
• Midstream
• Downstream
• How the natural gas industry operates across the value chain

Upstream Activities

• Major natural gas shale plays in U.S. and Canada
• Kinds of shale plays
• Dry, wet, and associated gas (from oil wells)
• NGLs and their economic importance
• Conventional and Unconventional Drilling
• Drilling and fracking shales
• Hydraulic fracking
• Costs of drilling and fracking

Midstream Activities

• Gas gathering
• Gas treatment
• Gas processing
• Frac spread and gas processing

Underground Natural Gas Storage

• Different types
• Operations
• Storage development
• Regulatory issues

Other Gas Storage Options

• Liquefied natural gas (LNG) basics
• Import/export terminals and vessels
• Peak shaving plants
• Who uses them and why they are important
• Locations
• Compressed natural gas (CNG) 

Natural Gas Pipelines

• Overview
• Types of pipelines
• Key parts
• How pipelines operate
• Who are the pipeline players?
• How pipelines are planned
• Role of shippers
• Differences between gas pipeline companies & electric power companies
• Construction costs
• Environmental reviews of pipelines and the NEPA process
• Federal and State regulators—who really determines if they are built

FERC Gas and Electric Coordination

• FERC NAESB changes to nomination schedule
• Ratable vs. Non-ratable shaped flow hourly service

Replumbing the Pipelines—Challenges  

• FERC’s 1999 Pipeline Policy Statement
• Landowner opposition and eminent domain
• Opposition by the States
• Opposition by environmental groups
• Recent court challenges

Local Distribution Companies (LDCs)—Gas Utilities

• What an LDC does
• City gates
• What happens at an LDC’s city gate?
• Distribution line characteristics and pressure
• How they work
• Safety and economic trends
• Rates and regulatory oversight
• Choosing your gas supplier

Pipeline Transportation

• Overview of gas transportation
• Nominations
• Scheduling
• Force Majeure
• Balancing
• Operational Balancing Agreement (OBA)
• Operational Flow Order (OFO)
• Penalties
• Interruptions
• Curtailments

FERC Ratemaking on Pipeline Transportation

• Section 4 ratemaking
• Section 5 ratemaking

LDCs and Asset Managers

• How pipeline transportation costs can be reduced
• Procuring and managing gas supplies

Natural Gas Industry Challenges

• Climate change
• Presidential election and ban on fracking
• Keep it in the ground and the new green deal
• Environmental regulation and reforms
• Decarbonization

Tom Russo, President, Russo on Energy LLC

Tom Russo is an Energy and Environmental expert with unique FERC regulatory skills in oil, natural gas and liquefied natural gas infrastructure; NEPA environmental impact assessment; and how energy markets, prices, and physical/cybersecurity affect infrastructure investments.  

Prior to founding Russo on Energy LLC in May 2015, Mr. Russo worked for over 30 years as a Manager and Sr. Energy Industry Analyst at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). During that time, he amassed experience in the natural gas and crude oil markets and its regulation by the FERC. Mr. Russo thoroughly understands the Natural Gas Act, Natural Gas Policy Act, and Interstate Commerce Act which are applicable to natural gas and oil pipeline transportation.   

Mr. Russo is also an adjunct professor at the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs. He teaches Global Energy Markets, International Energy & Environmental Regulations, Global Energy Security, and Global Electricity Markets undergraduate and graduate students. He actively conducts independent research on oil, natural gas, and power matters.  

We will be using Microsoft Teams to facilitate your participation in the upcoming event. You do not need to have an existing Teams account in order to participate in the broadcast – the course will play in your browser and you will have the option of using a microphone to speak with the room and ask questions, or type any questions in via the chat window and our on-site representative will relay your question to the instructor.

• Microsoft recommends downloading and installing the Teams app if possible. You may also use the Edge browser or Chrome.
• You will receive a separate email with a unique link to a personalized landing page which will include links to join all sessions of this event.
• If you are using a microphone, please ensure that it is muted until such time as you need to ask a question.
• The remote meeting connection will be open approximately 30 minutes before the start of the course. We encourage you to connect as early as possible in case you experience any unforeseen problems.

Please Note: This event is being conducted entirely online. All attendees will connect and attend from their computer, one connection per purchase. For details please see our FAQ

If you are unable to attend at the scheduled date and time, we make recordings available to all attendees for 7 days after the event

REGISTER NOW FOR THIS EVENT:

Introduction to the Natural Gas Industry, Infrastructure & Regulations

June 10, 2024 | Online

Your registration may be transferred to a member of your organization up to 24 hours in advance of the event. Cancellations must be received on or before May 10, 2024 in order to be refunded and will be subject to a US $195.00 processing fee per registrant. No refunds will be made after this date. Cancellations received after this date will create a credit of the tuition (less processing fee) good toward any other EUCI event. This credit will be good for six months from the cancellation date. In the event of non-attendance, all registration fees will be forfeited. In case of conference cancellation, EUCIs liability is limited to refund of the event registration fee only. For more information regarding administrative policies, such as complaints and refunds, please contact our offices at 303-770-8800

Credits

EUCI is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.

EUCI is authorized by IACET to offer 0.7 CEUs for this event.

Requirements for Successful Completion of Program

Participants must log in and be in attendance for the entirety of the course to be eligible for continuing education credit.

Instructional Methods

Case studies, PowerPoint presentations, classroom exercises

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Upon successful completion of this event, program participants interested in receiving CPE credits will receive a certificate of completion.

Course CPE Credits: 8.0
There is no prerequisite for this Course.
Program field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Program Level: Basic
Delivery Method: Group Internet Based
Advanced Preparation: None

EUCI is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its web site: www.nasbaregistry.org

 

Who Should Attend

Individuals working in the following areas will benefit from attending this event:

• New job entrants
• Mid-level positions
• Anyone who requires analysis of market and trade situations, including those with roles and functions in:
  • Trading
  • Market analysis
  • Infrastructure operators
  • Government and agencies
  • Upstream production
  • Commercial strategy and procurement
• Anyone needing a refresher course to the industry