A S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G F E A T U R E
expand. Chrysler, Ford and General Motors
have all recently introduced conversion kits
for both fleet owners and private consum-
ers. Even the government is ge ing in on
the use of CNG as a fuel, which is roughly
one-half the cost of gasoline.
Under the leadership of Gov. Earl Ray
Tomblin, West Virginia is making the most
of its abundant natural gas resources by
incorporating CNG-fueled vehicles into the
state government vehicle fleet, purchasing
propane-fueled school buses, and, most
recently, introducing a bill to provide tax
incentives to drivers who purchase certain
alternative-fueled vehicles. Tomblin also
established a Natural Gas Vehicle Task
Force to analyze issues and develop recom-
mendations to demonstrate commitment
to natural gas vehicles (NGVs) to private
industry to expand the use of natural gas.
Perhaps more importantly, private
companies are now starting to invest in
the infrastructure to support natural
gas vehicles. Recently, IGS Energy CNG
Services announced that it was establish-
ing a CNG fueling corridor along an
interstate highway that stretches from
West Virginia’s capital, Charleston, to the
Pennsylvania border, right through the
heart of Marcellus Shale country.
“
I’mpleased to be one of 22 governors
who, in recognition of the potential
natural gas has as a transportation fuel,
have expressed interest in purchasing
natural-gas-fueled vehicles,” Gov. Tomblin
says. “With an interest in cleaner-burning
automotive fuels, natural gas is poised to
grow its market share within the United
States automotive industry as consumers
realize the cost savings and environmental
benefits of NGVs.”
Certainly, the production of both
offshore oil resources and natural gas
resources in the Marcellus and Utica Shale
deposits is more expensive than it was in
the past. However, we are still producing
energy more cost-effectively than in other
locations around the globe, thanks to
advances in technology being introduced
here in the United States. “The technologies
we are building here in the United States
today are finding their way into places
like Australia, Argentina and China, to
name but a few,” says Broussard. “And the
technologies we are providing our custom-
ers are not only helping to reduce the cost
of new energy production, they are creating
jobs that are also helping to build our global
economy. Inmuch greater numbers, oil and
gas producers are pu ing their focus not
only on reducing production costs, but on
people, safety and the environment.”
The United Association of Journey-
men and Apprentices of the Plumbing
and Pipe Fi ing Industry of the United
States, Canada and Australia is obviously
focused on the safety and welfare of its
370,000
members who are engaged in the
fabrication, installation and servicing
of piping systems. But the union is also
actively involved in preparing people for
careers in oil and gas as well as HVAC and
other industries where piping is used.
One of its most unique programs is called
the Veterans in Piping (VIP) program that
provides veterans leaving the military with
training they need for a secure future. The
VIP Program offers an accelerated 18-week
course in welding and HVACR training for
active duty military personnel while they
are still on base. Graduates are then placed
in jobs upon completion of their training.
They also earn college credit and become a
part of the UA apprenticeship program for
additional training as they move towards
full-fledged journeyman status.
One company pu ing a focus on safety
training in the oil and gas industries is
Check-6, a team of highly skilled profes-
sionals that comprises former fighter pilots,
TOPGUN instructors, Navy SEALs, and
pilots who were leaders from the Marines,
Air Force and Coast Guard. Lead by CEO
Brian Brurud, himself a highly decorated
Navy fighter pilot, Check-6 uses innovative
training methodologies with proven solu-
tions to provide its clients with a culture
of excellence through a higher standard of
safety, training and operational efficiency.
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT
West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin (left, in yellow tie) is making the
most of his state’s abundant CNG resources by incorporating CNG-fueled vehicles into the state
government’s vehicle fleet; a string of explosion-proof lights fromWorkSite Lighting not only helps
operators reduce costs, but also provides a safer work environment for drill rig operations; Flexpipe
Linepipe is a prefabricated pipeline system can be deployed safely, quickly and cost-effectively, as
depicted above. One mile of pipe can easily be unspooled and deployed within an hour.
