The oil an d gas industry, and the pipelines that serve it,
represent the backbone for growth in Ohio, Michigan and the surrounding region.
That was the message heard at Pipeline 101, the latest event sponsored by the Stark County Oil &
Gas Partnership, which took place on Nov. 19 at Tozzi’s on 12th in Canton.
Mike Chadsey of the Ohio Oil & Gas Association opened the evening by explaining how existing and proposed pipelines will affect the overall Utica Shale play,
Peter Lidiak, pipeline director for the American Petroleum Institute, gave an
overview of pipelines in the U.S. He explained that 50 percent of pipeline in
the ground was installed before the 1950s, and that the rest were installed
primarily from 1970 to 2000.
Today, Lidiak said, the industry has responded to safety
considerations learned from past technology to use higher strength materials,
better welding practices and better construction methods.
Dylan Borchers, and attorney with Bricker & Eckler
Attorneys at Law, discussed the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s
regulation issues, along with the process for siting pipelines for the FERC and
the State of Ohio.
Finally, Arthur Diestel of Spectra Energy gave a positive overview of the Nexus Pipeline
that will be running through northern Stark County. He said the primary focus of
the project is to deliver natural gas for power generation, industrial growth, and local
distribution to consumers, citing the fact that the gas delivered by the
pipeline would be enough to heat 8 million homes per year.
Doug Lane, a board member of the Partnership and chair of
the Stark County Chamber Association, moderated the event. Refreshments were
provided and a networking hour concluded the evening.