Sandy, Natural Gas

How Natural Gas Kept Some Spots Bright and Warm as Sandy Blasted New York City - 

Interesting post 

GGCL stays with Gujarat

So, GGCL stays with Gujarat :)

With the announcement to acquire 65.12% controlling stake in GGCL from BG Group, GSPC is now the largest City Gas Distribution company of India. Here is how BIG THREE of CGD Sector stand with each other in terms of no. of domestic customers (as of today),

PNG is 50% cheaper than LPG now

An informative article on DNA which compares PNG and LPG pricing after the recent announcement to increase LPG prices:

The latest move by the government has made piped natural gas or PNG consumption almost 50% cheaper than LPG, which was so far at par or a little cheaper than PNG due to the telescopic pricing mechanism used by PNG companies. - DNA, 14 Sep 2012

Countries by size of oil reserves

Yesterday, I came across this simple map which shows country sizes based on Oil Reserves...Undoubtedly, Middle-East countries rule...

Source: Houston: We have a problem.

Beautiful propane flames

For a change, this is post is about 'propane' and not 'natural gas'...:)

I came across this stunning photo of propane gas flames...the activity shown is called as 'Flame Weeding'.

Flame weeding is the killing of weeds with intense heat produced by a fuel-burning device, either hand-held or tractor-mounted. Flame weeding usually relies on propane gas burners to produce a carefully controlled and directed flame that briefly passes over the weeds.

This is what I call 'Stunningly Beautiful'!

Source of image: http://www.tarimsalhaber.com

Special Report on 'Natural Gas' from The Economist

I had read somewhere that 19th century was dominated by COAL, 20th by OIL and 21st will be dominated by NATURAL GAS and it seems we are moving in the same direction. ‘The Economist’ has recently released a special report on Natural Gas. It says that new sources of gas could transform the world’s energy markets – but it won’t be quick or easy. Here is the link to the report.

Key 10 one-liners for you from this report –

1) An unexpected boom in Shale Gas in the US will spread across the globe which will add to gas supply
2) Because of high transport costs, only 1/3 of all gas is traded across borders, compared with 2/3 of oil
3) Other commodities fetch roughly the same price the world over, but gas has no global price
4) World might have gas for next 200 years against earlier estimation of 50 to 60 years
5) Better technology and high oil prices are helping natural gas
6) Share of gas in the global energy mix will rise from 21% today to 25% in 2035
7) Natural Gas is a flexible fuel – Wide range of uses: Domestic, Boilers, Power Generation, CNG, plastic, fertilizers etc.
8) Gas Markets are regional
9) Unknown Gas Treasures: Not just America but parts of Europe, China, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Canada and several African countries
10) Visualization – Remaining recoverable natural gas resources:

Let there be Gas! :)

How does a natural gas regulator work?

Ever wondered how a pressure regulator actually ‘regulates’ gas pressure?...and those colourful cross-section diagrams are not helping you?! :)...I know those don’t…Here is an informative video on how a natural gas regulator works…

This is what we need today...

Pipeline Association for Public Awareness (PAPA) is a US based non-profit organization which provides educational information concerning pipeline safety and emergency preparedness to residents, businesses in the vicinity of pipeline. Click on this link to visit their website.

Considering the fast paced development in city gas industry (in fact in the entire utility industry which dominates the underground traffic :)) having such organization in place is critical for Indian CGD. As per me, it is absolutely essential for emergency responders like Fire Brigade, utilities taking urgent repairs/leaks etc.

It is an important step in incident prevention. 

Let there be light gas!

Min. Evacuation Distances

PNGRB vs IGL, Part-II begins...

So, couple of years back we had this question: Who is authorized to grant CGD licenses?

After receiving answer from Supreme Court on this, now we have a new question...’Who can regulate the gas tariff for CGD companies?’ :) 

Though, Delhi High Court has recently said that PNGRB did not have the authority to fix tariffs, PNGRB has decided to go to Supreme Court…(Reference: Link) and thus…(drum roll sound please) PNGRB vs IGL, Part-II begins… I appreciate IGL’s spirit in fight against PNGRB :)

Amount of gas blown off: Easy to remember formula

Here is an easy to remember formula to estimate the amount of gas blown off through an opening in the pipe:

Q=D^2.P.t/60

(in words D square PT by sixty…Isn't it easy to remember? :))

Now remember this as well…:D…which I suppose is quite standard.

Q = Volume of gas at 15 Deg C and 14.7 psia, SG = 0.6
D = Diameter of opening in inches (Orifice, pipe, nipple etc.)
P = Pressure in psia at some nearby point upstream of opening
t = Time of flow in minutes

That’s it!.. and you can estimate the gas lost through venting or valve opening!

Let there be Light Gas!

Hazards Based On Energy Sources

I came across this interesting diagram in an office today. It shows 8 energy sources which may lead to a hazard. (Motion, Chemical, Radiation, Electrical, Gravity, Heat/Cold, Biological, Pressure)
It is amazing to see that all the sources of hazards we can think of can be covered by only 8 categories. I made few unsuccessful attempts to think of a hazard which doesn’t fit in these categories :)

This is a simple and powerful diagram.

Customized SAP Solution for Indian City Gas industry

So, finally, a SAP Solution tailored for Indian City Gas industry is in the market. ‘Rapid Deployment’ is the key here and it will determine the success. You can find more details by clicking on this link:

http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/technology/fujitsu-unveils-sap-qualified-solution-for-cgd-sector_677079.html

CP Marker

I came across this marker a few days back and couldn't resist myself from taking a picture.
I liked the extra line on the board, 'Electrical wires tied to gas mains'.

Flow of gas in pipes

I was going through my old diary and found some information I had noted down from a book on Gas Technology I had come across in a library about nine years ago. I don’t recall the title and author of the book but it was one of those out of print old books you get attracted to for some secret/sacred knowledge. :)

The information was about flow of gas in pipes and the simple diagram and explanation there was extremely useful and it helped me throughout my career.

I am recreating the diagram here, hope you will find it useful.

Assumptions:
1) Horizontal pipe, uniform diameter
2) Four pressure gauges attached to points A, B, C and D at equal distances of 8m.
3) When valve E is opened, gas flows in the direction of the arrow.

The graph below shows what happens under four different sets of conditions: (Please click on the image to zoom in.)

1) Standing Pressure: When gas is standing still in a pipe i.e. when valve E is turned off, the pressure throughout the whole length of the pipe is the same. 

So, pressures at A, B, C and D = 20 mbar 

2) Working Pressure: Valve E is turned on to allow a ‘normal quantity’ of gas to flow through the pipe. In this case the pressure drop between point A and B is 2 mbar. 

So, pressure at point B = 18 mbar 

But, distance between A and B is same as distance between B and C as well as C and D. So pressure loss will be same i.e. 2 mbar. 

So, pressure at point C = 16 mbar 

Hence, Pressure at point D = 14 mbar 

3) Working Pressure with increased quantity: If the quantity of gas flowing is now increased then the pressure loss will also increase. The line 3 shows, with a 40% increase in quantity, pressure loss has doubled i.e. 4 mbar. 

So, pressure at point D = 8 mbar 

4) Normal quantity with partial blockage: Line 4 shows readings obtained for a ‘normal quantity’ of gas flowing but with an obstruction in pipe between point A and B. This reduces the effective diameter of pipe between point A & B and this has greatest effect on the pressure. 

Point B onwards pressure drop is back to normal i.e. 2 bar. 

However, the actual pressure drop between point A and B has increased. 

Pressure at point D = 4 mbar

Let there be light gas! :)

All you want to know about city gas distribution projects: An informative report by ICRA

ICRA has recently released this informative report on current state of City Gas Distribution Sector in India.

Highlights of the report are:

• Historical background of CGD in India
• Regulatory Aspects
• List (which everyone wants to know ;))  of successful bidders from 1st and 2nd round of bids invited by PNGRB
• Key challenges
• What the future looks like

For me the most interesting part was, the ratings assigned in ICRA’s Portfolio of CGD companies. IGL and MGL have been given AAA ratings.

Overall, this is a good read for all the people who are interested in knowing the ‘latest’ on CGD Projects in India.

Let there be Light Gas! :)