Author Archives: admin-progasllc

Mobile technology

How Mobile Technology Changed the Oil and Gas Landscape

Since the birth of our industry in 347 AD, it’s safe to say that oil and gas has seen its fair share of changes to our practices. From the birth of offshore oil rigs to creating more environmentally-friendly sites, technology has always been part of our progress.

Although as of late, the industry has seen a slump in progress due to a complicated political climate, there is still a light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s glowing in pure LED form.

We focus on site-based equipment like NGL storage and gas coolers. However, we still see the importance of the digital impact in our line of work.

Here’s a look at how mobile technology is pushing our practices to new heights in 2020 and beyond.

Real-Time Data Optimizes Production

Understanding which well sites require more attention for higher production used to be a grueling task that resulted in overall reduced productivity. Mobile devices now connect industry operators directly to oilfield sensor networks that provide this essential data in real-time. This puts the focus on more production and less guess-work during the lifecycle of a drilling project.

Minimized Offshore Rig Downtime

Offshore rigs are a massive contributor to the success of the oil and gas industry. However, the unpredictable conditions that these rigs face have been devastating in the past. Before mobile technology, when malfunctions occurred, the whole productivity of the offshore site tanked.

With the power of mobile solutions, this economically deadly downtime can be avoided. Some of the ways that mobile devices keep offshore rigs working around the clock include:

  • Improved business communications
  • The ability to monitor a site’s operations from anywhere
  • Making operational improvement instantaneous

Faster Site Validation

Our industry has so many great minds in it, yet, collaboration has been stunted by old processes that moved information at a snail’s pace. Mobile devices have quickly become the catalyst for change in this area. With current technological advances in the field, geologists and field technicians can capture, validate, and share information about a drill site with the departments of the industry that are equipped to handle it.

With the implementation of the cloud, now, the location of underground reservoirs, the depth of resources, and temperature anomalies can be widespread information at the click of a button.

Safer Well Working Environments

Real-time data doesn’t just extend to the productivity of a well-site. It also helps improve the safety of workers in our industry. Drill sites face all manners of malfunctions, most of which prove dangerous to workers.

With mobile devices, Incidents are reported and responded to almost instantly. This allows for fast, correct decisions to be made on-site that preserve the safety of workers as well as the integrity of the project as a whole.

Need Standard Equipment to Complement Your Mobile Tech? Pro-Gas, LLC can Help!

No matter your needs at your drill site, Pro-Gas, LLC is here to help with provisions. Our equipment offerings are top-of-the-line and help teams like yours work successfully in conjunction with the digital technology that moves our industry forward.

If your facility or site requires more equipment that makes oil and gas procurement a smoother process, we’re ready to talk shop. Contact us today to learn more about our current product lines and what they can do for your site.

Presidential election 2020

Biden, Trump, and the Race for Big Oil

November brings two major events in Texas this year, Thanksgiving and Election Day! While most people are looking forward to both after such an unpredictable beginning of 2020, the oil and gas industry is especially keeping its eye on how Election Day could go for our industry.

Both Democratic candidate, Joe Biden, and current President of the United States, Donald Trump are hot on the campaign trail and trying to win over oil state votes with their plans for rescuing big oil after the COVID-19 crisis and larger geopolitical issues earlier in the year.

Although we are focused on selling our quality facility and rig products like NGL storage and gas coolers, we still like to keep our visitors informed on the oil landscape as a whole. Here’s a deeper dive into what either candidate is pushing to influence our industry.

Trump States “Don’t Mess With Texas!”

According to an article from the Texas Tribune, President Trump visited the Permian Basin on 07/29 with a message to big oil concerned with recent political stances in Congress to hamper our energy production.

In support of our industry, President Trump discussed some of the future policies he has in store for us if elected as POTUS once again.

Policies the oil and gas industry can expect after a 2020 election under Trump include:

  • Extended export contracts for liquified natural gas exporters
  • Permits for pipeline and railway infrastructure on the U.S./Mexico border
  • Permits allowing Texas to export crude oil into Mexico

While we would love to see oil facilities have the ability to expand exports, it’s always a good idea to look at what the other side of the fence has on offer.

The Oil Industry Can Also Meet at Biden’s Level

Although former Vice President Joe Biden recently unveiled a 2 trillion dollar plan that promotes clean energy, efficiency, and climate change, it’s still a plan that big industry oil companies can get behind.

While Biden’s plan does lead to an eventual net-zero greenhouse gas emissions outcome, he decided to not completely cut the oil and gas industry from his favor. Even with his plan for cutting carbon emissions, he did not propose a ban on hydraulic fracking. This practice is something that has pushed our industry to the top and it’s great to find out that our industry still plays a vital role in the American economy.

Trust Pro-Gas, LLC to Support Gas Practices That Better America

No matter how the 2020 election turns out, the team at Pro-Gas, LLC feels that the industry will 2020continue to thrive. Until that day comes, we will continue to support facilities, rigs, and the employees that make them essential cogs in the machine of American production.

If your site needs reliable equipment that keeps operations moving, contact us today to learn more about our current lineup of products.

Safety tips offshore oil rig

5 Safety Tips for Your Offshore Oil Rig

Offshore oil rigs are productive, yet sometimes, dangerous places to work. Unfortunately, when safety is ill-managed on an offshore rig serious injuries and fatalities occur. With large amounts of equipment, risk involving the handling of mined materials, and even just being out on the water, it’s no wonder that safety is imperative to so many rig managers.

If you run a facility that manages offshore drilling, make sure that your team stays safe this summer. Here are five safety tips that should keep your offshore rig running smoothly.

Make Orientation a Requirement

In order to instill a safety-first mentality on your offshore rig, safety orientation is an essential part of the culture. Rig workers move between rigs on a regular basis. Even though most of them would communicate that they are up to speed on safety culture, fatal mistakes can still be made.

A mandatory orientation helps lay down your specific safety culture and ensures that your safety expectations are met to the best of your staff’s ability.

Continuously Train Your Staff

One orientation doesn’t cut it. Safety standards constantly change and your team should always be on the same page as industry standards. Ongoing training with machinery, safety procedures, and equipment helps express your rig’s commitment to safety and drives the point home for your busy team.

Sanitize Your Equipment

COVID-19 knows no boundaries, so your offshore rig should always be as germ-free as possible for your staff’s safety. Health safety is important on your rig because not only can disease spread quickly, but illness leaves your rig short-handed in the end.

Create some routine cleaning shifts and ensure that heavily touched surfaces are sanitized and that all employees practice social distancing and wear face coverings and gloves where required.

Keep Required Safety Equipment Stocked

Oil rigs require a large amount of safety equipment that promotes oil & gas employee safety. So, it’s important that your site keeps safety equipment clean and available at all times for your workers. Aside from the current need for safety masks, your rig should stay stocked with gear like:

  • Safety glasses
  • Hard hats
  • Respirators
  • Fire-Resistant clothing

Maintain Your Machinery

Heavy-duty machinery like gas-coolers or fuel conditioners can be dangerous pieces of equipment when they aren’t maintained. Make sure that your site has a set maintenance schedule for your equipment that guarantees optimal functionality for years to come.

Keep Your Oil Rig Equipped With Pro-Gas, LLC

One of the most important ways to keep your oil rig safe is with reliable equipment. The team at Pro-Gas, LLC prides itself on providing only the best equipment to both on-shore and offshore drill sites. Whether you need efficient gas coolers or somewhere to store your LNGs, we have the equipment that keeps your rig operational. Contact us today to get your equipment orders prepared and to learn more about our other services.

 

Oil barels

How Are Oil and Gas Measured On and Off Site?

By the time oil and gas reaches consumers, the materials have already been measured out and mass-produced from the sites and facilities they originated from. While most people know that oil is measured out by the barrel, most don’t quite understand what that measurement means and how natural gas is measured at a drill site.

Here’s a closer look at how these products are measured at their sites, which will hopefully provide a deeper understanding of the terminology used in current industry articles that discuss results by the measurement.

Measuring On-site Oil and Gas Production

Oil production is measured across the globe in barrels. Barrels can also be referred to through their abbreviated term, “bbl.” One barrel is the equivalent of 42 gallons by the United State’s standards.

Measurements are usually described on daily and quarterly terms. However, the abbreviations used throughout the industry may leave the average person scratching their heads. For example, 1,000 barrels of oil is often referred to as “M,” and 1 million barrels would be abbreviated as “MM.”

So, when someone reading an article sees that a site produced 5 Mbbls per day, that’s the industry’s way of abbreviating 5,000 barrels of oil in one day.

Gas Production Measurements

Gas production is measured in cubic feet or “cf.” Much like oil, natural gas numbers are based on how much is produced per day or per quarter. However, since natural gas seems to be a more plentiful commodity for facilities to harvest, the industry uses abbreviations that reach up into the billions and trillions of cubic feet in the United States.

These abbreviations are “Bcf” for one billion cubic feet and “Tcf” for one trillion cubic feet.

Is Gas Always Measured in Cubic Feet?

While we’ve discussed measuring gas in cubic feet, keep in mind that unlike barrels, cubic feet isn’t something that is used to measure natural gas products across the globe. Across the seas, natural gas is measured in British thermal units (Btu) and can even be reported as cubic meters in order to further simplify the measurement process at a global level.

Learn More About Oil and Gas Industry Practices With Pro-Gas, LLC!

At Pro-Gas, LLC, we are committed to providing facilities and drill sites with our state-of-the-art equipment and highest quality services in the industry. However, we also believe that education in uncertain times for our industry is equally important. So, regardless of if you need the latest updates on the oil and gas market news or if you just need some NGL tanks to transfer some product, we are always here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our products and services.

 

Rural land

How to Answer Essential Landowner Rights Questions

One of the ways the oil and gas industry has risen to the top is through the help of landowners who have granted production companies rights to mine on their property. While production facility managers and their crew know the industry from the inside out, most landowners are dubious to allow us to work on their land.

In order to successfully acquire essential permission to drill on land, your team must be prepared to answer any questions a landowner may have. Here’s a look at four of the top questions landowners ask about their rights and how you can put their minds at ease with the most accurate answers.

How Long Will A Lease Last?

The length of an oil and gas lease is based on both primary and secondary terms. The primary term is something the production company and landowner will negotiate as a set date where mining should end. This can be five years from the lease signing, or even ten years. Once again, this is purely up to the landowner and the negotiations surrounding the property.

A lease can move into a secondary term that could extend for a longer period of time. Should the oil production company see that the land is particularly fruitful, they will attempt to procure a secondary term with the landowner. We recommend that owners are walked through each aspect of a secondary term in order to ensure that there are no misconceptions about the mining capabilities of the company at the end of the day.

Do I Retain Control of My Land?

As a landowner, they retain control over where activity happens on their property. From the placement of equipment like natural gas coolers to mass installations of pipelines. Usually, these terms are negotiated between the landowner and the production company. These final terms would be included in the landowner’s addendum that we discussed earlier.

What Documents Should I Expect?

The three key documents to look out for as a landowner are:

  • An oil and gas lease
  • A memorandum of the lease
  • An addendum prepared by your attorney that serves as your protection while under the lease
  • An order for payment that states the bonus a landowner receives for the company to work on their land

An oil and gas company working on someone’s land truly wants a win-win situation for everyone involved. The documents drafted at the beginning of a lease agreement are in place to ensure that all parties get a fair share of the profits of the land.

What Exactly Are My Royalties?

A landowners’ royalties are determined as either a net or gross payment. Net meaning, there are substantial deductions before royalties kick in, and gross, meaning there are very few deductions involved.

It’s important that they review their lease with you before signing in order to ensure their understanding of how your royalty system works.

In addition to royalties, landowners are also compensated for:

  • The location of a well pad on the property
  • Pipeline right-of-way
  • The number of wells on a property

Successfully Manage New Sites With Pro-Gas, LLC

If your production company is ready to branch out and try to excel in the current climate, Pro-Gas, LLC has the equipment and experience you need to succeed. Contact us today to learn more about our quality services and get the most up-to-date information on the oil and gas industry.

Saving money this summer

Saving Summer Money on Oil and Gas Products

While many oil companies have to face the dire consequences of a geopolitical feud that makes production especially expensive, consumers are reaping the benefits of lower gas prices. Although we’d love to see local facilities thriving at maximum production, this is just something we’ll have to wait for as the economy begins to inch its way back up.

For now, we will continue to supply essential equipment like NGL tanks and gas coolers to facilities and sites that need them as they pursue oil and gas production. However, we also see the brighter side of savings from the consumer point of view.

In the spirit of saving and surviving in the world of Coronavirus, here are some extra tips for using consumer-ready oil and gas wisely this summer.

Time When You Fill Up!

According to an article published in Forbes, one of the easiest ways for someone to save even more money on gas in their vehicle is timing when they decide to pump!

Based on information from Breitling Oil and Gas’ CEO, Chris Faulkner, gas prices generally rise at 10 a.m. on Thursdays in order to increase the cash flow of the weekend drivers. So, if you’ve been impacted by the economic circumstances of Coronavirus, remember to hit the pumps at the beginning of the week before gas station prices change.

Keep Up You Car’s Maintenance

The amount you spend on gas also depends on how well you maintain your car. Simple maintenance practices like filling up your tires with air, getting your tires rotated, and cleaning your car’s air filters can help you save a fair amount of gas money every month!

Invest in a Programmable Thermostat

Your air conditioner and heating unit use up gas in order to keep your home feeling comfortable. However, you don’t need your home at extreme temperatures at times when you’re not there to enjoy it. Save some money this summer by picking up a programmable thermostat and getting your home on a temperature timer. Not only will you remain happy with your home’s energy bill, but you’d never even know the temperature had changed if you time your adjustments right.

Let Your Dishwasher Do the Dirty Work

While we aren’t necessarily saying to let your dishes pile up in the kitchen, we are saying you should take a little time to fill up your dishwasher for one swift cleaning. Although your dishwasher does use energy to get its job done, we guarantee that when you frequently wash your dishes by hand every night, you’re consuming much more energy.

When your water heater has to consistently work to produce hot water for hand-washing dishes, be prepared to watch your energy bill increase during the summer months.

Trust Pro-Gas, LLC to Help Keep Your Facility Producing

The team at Pro-Gas, LLC understands that times are tough for many of the facilities we support. The best we can advise is to continue pushing forward and help us make the economy a better place for everyone. Stay safe, and remember, we are always here to help out with quality equipment and the latest updates about major news in our industry. Contact us to learn more about any of our products and services.

Oil & gas industry

What Can the U.S. Shale Industry Do to Survive?

By now, the evidence is clear that COVID-19 and the global oil price war have had a significant, negative impact on the United States shale industry. In the past, we’ve discussed how the government could possibly help the oil industry through meticulously planned bailouts. However, there are steps the shale industry can take that can help ensure its long-term survival as a global competitor.

Here’s a look at our shale industry insights going forward and how drill sites and production facilities can work together to bring the industry back up.

Oil Will Survive, But Slowly…

According to an article from Forbes, the falling oil prices can’t last forever. Eventually, they will hit their limit and become forced to move back up. However, the article says that even though our industry should ultimately survive, the process will be slow as long as a vaccine for COVID-19 hasn’t been created and approved.

Even after we’ve returned to “normal,” the oversupply of oil will still remain a problem. Experts predict that it could take up to a year for the current oil supply to get used up when prices begin to increase again.

Lower Oil Prices Provide Tax Relief

As oil companies drill on private property, they must pay taxes and royalties to the owners of the property. These payments are based on the overall value of the oil that’s farmed and generally fluctuates with the market.

Though it’s never comforting for oil prices to dip too low, when they do reach the depths that they have, oil companies do receive tax and royalty relief. In the long-run, this relief can help keep U.S. shale production functioning. While it may not be at the levels we want to see at facilities, it at least shows promise for the future of our industry.

Well Site Automation

Although we are still in the early stages of using artificial intelligence (AI) at drill sites, the idea has become something that many companies are considering based on the overall benefits. Currently, one of the biggest factors that financially holds oil companies back is the expense of equipment training and ensuring that sites are well-staffed by numerous employees that are capable of safely maintaining the site.

AI takes the complexity of adjusting drill direction by automatically following the site’s proposed drill path. This use of AI alone provides several benefits that include:

  • Decreasing the strain of equipment
  • Drilling wells quickly
  • Allowance of remote task oversight
  • A cleaner work site

Continuous Best Practices

Best practices have always been one of the biggest priorities of our industry. From proper maintenance of equipment like gas coolers to studying specific reservoirs for the best drilling opportunities, continuing to focus on being the best industry we can be will eventually help us to press forward.

Stay Updated on Shale’s Survival With Pro-Gas, LLC

At Pro-Gas, LLC, we know how resilient our industry is. Despite the current economic climate, we are certain that U.S. shale will make it through as we adjust to this new normal. As always, we are here to provide your site with the best equipment at an affordable price, as well as keep you caught up on the latest industry news. Contact us today to learn more about our services.

Learn more about your trusted oil and gas industry service provider, Pro-Gas, LLC.

Coronavirus impact on oil and gas industry

3 Up-To-Date Insights on Oil and Gas

The shifts in how COVID-19 and events surrounding the pandemic impact the energy industry as a whole are drastic. Unfortunately, the oil and gas sector has been hit the hardest, with record-low crude oil prices and giants in the industry filing for bankruptcy. However, at Pro-Gas, LLC we know that the ebb and flow of oil prices can change in an instant.

For now, here are some of the latest new insights that we’ve seen over the last month.

Currently, the Oil Surplus Outweighs Demand

Summer is right around the corner, and usually, this is the point in time where oil prices begin to rise. As people think about travel and plans get made, oil is bought up and sold at market-thriving prices.

However, with the current pandemic and most of the country under shelter in place orders, the demand just isn’t there and it’s hurting our industry, with oil trading in the negatives.

The Industry Looks Towards Renewable Energy

Although times aren’t the easiest for crude oil, according to an article from Forbes, our market could naturally begin to turn around in the fourth quarter of 2020. According to the article, now, oil producers must diversify their portfolios to remain competitive. This means we could see a move into renewable energy territory. These forward steps could bring on some serious consolidation that could actually strengthen our industry.

The Global Price War Rages On…

One of the biggest issues that set our industry off on this downward domino effect is geopolitics! The crude oil price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia has been going on for over a month now, with devastating effects on our crude oil’s price per barrel.

Although the world has yet to see concrete steps towards resolution, according to energy specialist, Wal van Lierop, the low prices on oil won’t last forever within either political power’s nation.

With prices as low as 25 dollars per barrel, the situation isn’t sustainable without either nation suffering the economic consequences. We will continue to keep our eyes on this crucial story that could end in a huge step towards recovery once tensions cool down.

For the Latest Industry News, Trust the Experts at Pro-Gas, LLC

At Pro-Gas, LLC we love the industry and everyone who plays a role in making it succeed. Right now things may seem grim, but the truth of the matter is, that the sun will eventually shine on us again. With federal efforts and the hope of global quelling in the price war, we will adjust to a new normal that allows us to excel again.

Coronavirus has impacted our nation’s health and economy in many crippling ways. However, we implore you to stay safe, stay patient, and help us win the war against this virus together. For the latest updates on oil’s way back to the top stay tuned with us and remember, we’re always here to help.

Oil & gas industry

Presidential Plans to Help the Oil and Gas Industry

Oil and gas has always been an industry that has faced its fair share of ups and downs. However, right now with the spread of COVID-19, our oil wells and production plants have begun to face unprecedented difficulties.

While the initial outlook for many companies in our industry seems dire, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, says that he has plans to get the oil flowing freely once again. Here is a deeper look into the current oil & gas industry and how the POTUS expects to help out our industry.

The Problem Oil and Gas Faces

Right now our markets are in a tug of war between geopolitical arguments that have deeply impacted the price of crude oil. While gas being at an all-time low seems like a great thing for the average consumer, it’s something that can severely harm the overall job market in our industry.

As we face an oversupply of oil, our drill sites continue to try to meet daily production goals. However, with demand on the rise and prices so low, the danger is real that many oil sites and companies may not survive this aspect of the coronavirus effect.

Presidential Goals

According to an article from CNBC.com, President Trump is adamant about getting our energy business back amidst collapsing oil prices.

“I’m with you 1,000%. It’s a great business. A vital business,” the article quoted Trump.

Although tariffs are currently being discussed but not solidified, this is one direction the President could go in as a “tool in the box.”

DOE to Buy Crude Oil

Another way the President has tried to assist the oil industry is through his recent announcement that the Department of Energy will buy crude oil for our national reserve. According to an article from NPR.org this move is meant to:

  • Help increase the price of oil (which raised by 5 % since the announcement)
  • Save taxpayers “billions and billions of dollars”

Keep Up With COVID-19 Industry Developments With Pro-Gas, LLC

From equipment for production facilities to news about the status of oil drill sites across the nation. Pro-Gas, LLC is your go-to source for industry information while shelter in place mandates are in order. We know that our industry greases the wheels of the economy and are just as eager to see life go back to normal. However, in order to do so, it’s going to take a joint effort. If you can stay at home and stay safe; but remember, if you need us we’re always here to help!

Permian basin oil and gas exploration

Texas and Our Legacy of Oil

Oil is one of the biggest natural commodities that Texas is known for. Over the years, it’s helped to stimulate our economy and has even been the focus of a famous show that really put one of our cities in the spotlight.

While we’re all still tucked inside and staying safe from the novel coronavirus, the team at Pro-Gas, LLC decided to take a look into the rich history behind our success in oil and how it’s truly impacted our state over the years.

The Big Boom

January 10, 1901 will always be known as the date that oil truly reared its head into the Texas market. On this date, Captain A.F. Lucas was drilling a well at Spindletop, when suddenly a geyser of oil erupted from the earth.

Before the well could be controlled, this geyser at Spindletop had already expelled thousands of gallons of crude oil. This was the moment when future oil moguls knew that Texas had something special beneath the ground, and was the start of the big oil boom in our state.

Was Oil Found Before 1901?

While the big boom was the true start of the petroleum industry in Texas, Lucas wasn’t the true first man to discover the natural resource. In fact, even before Lyne T. Barret created the first drilled well in 1868, early settlers were shown this natural product by the Native Americans in the 1500s. However, earlier oil was used for medicinal and caulking purposes. The oil refineries that we know today didn’t come to fruition until 1898.

The Permian Basin and the Big Lake Discovery

One of our biggest sources of oil is the Permian Basin. Based in West Texas, the basin was part of a massive discovery of oil, deemed the Big Lake Discovery. From that point on, the Permian Basin dropped its renown for being a “petroleum graveyard.” The basin currently produces around 4 million barrels of crude oil per day.

What Were the Socio-Economic Effects of Oil in Texas?

Economically, oil has been a major factor in Texas. Currently, the oil and gas industry pays billions in taxes on its oil production gains. This means that every year Texas earns a large quantity of money that goes towards government programs, schools, and public works needs.

Socially, the boom also proved beneficial to rural individuals and created jobs for the jobless. Many people during the great oil boom sought out to make a name for themselves as wildcatters, drilling across the land. However, much like a gamble on when one would actually strike oil, some were successful and others were not.

Stay Connected with the Oil and Gas Industry Through Pro-Gas, LLC

Right now, the oil and gas industry is in a strange place as prices continue to plummet due to geopolitical circumstances and the threat of the virus that’s spreading through our communities. Pro-Gas, LLC is here to say that no matter what happens, we’ll be here to help our customers pick up the pieces when work returns to normalcy. Stay safe, stay healthy, and remember, we are always available to help.