NEXT MEETING - SEPTEMBER 23, 2010

GULFSTREAM: CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH CONSTRUCTION OF
A LARGE OFFSHORE TRANSMISSION PIPELINE

Location: Pelazzio, 12121 Westheimer, Houston 77077

           When the Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C. pipeline expansion project was initiated in the late 1990’s, Florida was considered to have one of the fastest growing populations in the country. With only one interstate pipeline operating in Florida at that time, Williams seized on the opportunity to tap into a growing market for natural gas and introduce competition within Florida. 
            The result was a $1.5 billion project to deliver supplies of natural gas from the Mobile Bay area to the state of Florida. Facilities included 437 miles of 36-inch diameter high pressure pipeline across the Gulf of Mexico, as well as 150 miles of onshore facilities connecting Mississippi and Alabama to Florida. 
            When the Gulfstream pipeline system went into service in May 2002, its diameter and length gave it the distinction of being the largest pipeline in the Gulf of Mexico. This status was well-earned given the massive coordination effort required to handle the large quantities of pipe and the activity of dozens of contractors and subcontractors, vessels and 150 company personnel all working simultaneously in different regions across the Gulf.   
            Furthermore, this was the first natural gas pipeline in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and the first to make a shore approach into Florida. With its unprecedented scope numerous regulatory and environmental hurdles had to be addressed and accommodated. The geology of the sea bottom and environmentally sensitive features of the eastern Gulf led to design and installation solutions that were not typical of other Gulf of Mexico pipeline projects.
            On September 23, Michael Kologinczak, Senior Engineer with Williams will provide an overview of the project. His presentation will focus on the design and construction challenges encountered and considerations necessary for the successful completion of the Gulfstream pipeline. Michael will also discuss the various and unique steps taken by Williams to minimize and mitigate environmental impact from the pipeline construction.
            Committed to responsible energy development, Williams is an integrated natural gas company that produces, gathers, processes and transports  natural gas to heat homes and to power electric generation plants across the US.

About the Speaker
Michael Kologinczak holds a Civil Engineering degree from Texas A&M University and is currently a Senior Engineer with Williams and a Professional Engineer in the state of Texas. Michael has worked in Williams’ gas pipeline business unit for 14 years. During that time he has supported onshore and offshore pipeline projects in various departments, including survey, construction, operations and pipeline design. His current responsibilities include project management for capital expansion of pipeline, meter station and storage facilities along the gulf coast and northeastern states.
Prior to supporting the initial Gulfstream offshore project, Michael Kologinczak worked on design of the Buccaneer Gas Pipeline system, a competing offshore transmission pipeline to serve Florida, which was never constructed. When the Buccaneer was acquired by Williams, Kologinczak transitioned onto the development of the Gulfstream system.