A PDF version of the situation report can be found here.
NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION, TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE
Across the U.S. natural gas production is holding steady and is forecasted to increase while power demand is beginning to decrease. Texas natural gas production, processing, transmission, and storage sectors continues to perform. Overall, according to RBN Energy, Texas production is increasing 0.1 bcf for Thursday, February 2 to 24.7 bcf. Weather and road access issues continue to improve. Natural gas continues to be the dominant fuel source for power generation during the storm. ERCOT fuel mix for today indicates natural gas is providing over 63% of the generation.
WEATHER STATUS & SITUTATION REPORTS (STATE OPERATIONS CENTER)
• Lingering wintry mix with hazardous travel and power outage impacts this morning for North, Central and West Texas with temperatures warming above freezing and improving conditions by this afternoon.
• Patchy ice potential tonight and Friday morning from refreezing of any residual moisture on roadways.
• Isolated heavy rain and flood potential for East Texas through this afternoon.
• No hazardous weather anticipated Friday into the upcoming weekend, warming temperatures and no precipitation across the state.
• FEMA Region VI Weather Threat Brief
• Situation Awareness Brief
• PUC Safety Reminder
NOTICE TO OPERATORS
The Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) issued a notice to operators on Sunday, January 29 regarding the anticipated wintry conditions. On Wednesday, February 1, RRC provided an update, noting that natural gas supply continues to hold steady and that the agency has continued to stay in touch with operators and other state agencies during the winter storm.
TEXAS FIELD CONDITIONS
Natural gas supply is holding strong. Temperatures are increasing and road conditions in the field are improving. Most operators are seeing a return back to normal operations and natural gas production levels.
TEXAS POWER STATUS
ERCOT reports operations normal as of 2/2/23, 11:00 am. Anticipated peak demand is expected to occur at 5:00 pm. Available capacity at peak demand is expected to be 78,226 MW, with the demand forecast at 56,318 MW. There is expected to be enough power to meet demand.
Source: ERCOT, 2/2/23, 11:00 am.
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
INDUSTRY ACTIONS
Read here how the Texas oil and natural gas industry prepares for winter weather events
STATEWIDE RESOURCES
• TDEM maintains a webpage with information and resources here.
• TXDOT provides road closure information in real-time at drivetexas.org.
• RRC reports road issues to TXDOT. You can submit a road issue form here.
• RRC provides a weatherization practices guidance document here.
• RRC maintains a 24-hour, toll-free emergency line, 844-773-0305, to report emergencies, including leaks or spills and damage to gas pipelines.
• PUC provides an electric outage map at puc.texas.gov/storm/index.html.
• TCEQ reports water and sewage outages at tceq.texas.gov/response/index.html.
• ERCOT shares a grid condition dashboard at ercot.com/gridmktinfo/dashboards.
For more information on how the Texas oil and natural gas industry prepares for winter weather, visit TXOGA.org/WinterReady.
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This TXOGA Situation Report is a service to TXOGA members and includes a summary of
forecasts, estimates and updates of energy resources and current weather and conditions.
Part of the service is to provide an estimated status of the natural gas sector using third party information. Users of the service should seek to verify the information included in this service prior to use. TXOGA does not warranty, expressly or impliedly, the information contained in the service. Information is subject to change based on third party information updates and revisions. Distribution after receipt by the intended recipient is strictly prohibited.