US natural gas production is booming, but a shortage of valves could slow it down, a new report shows; the report has won the attention of GWC Valve International.
Natural gas production has made big headlines in 2012, with the United States tapping into shale gas reserves like never before and ultimately accumulating an historic surplus of the rich fuel source. The nation’s shale gas supply may be abundant, however, but its supply of industrial valves and gas pipeline pumps is not.
A recent report says that whole gas supplies are far from dwindling, a shortage of the proper equipment could slow American gas production. This report has won the attention of leading valve supplier GWC Valve International.
According to the new report, a lack of proper valves may be the only foreseeable impediment to US shale exploration and natural gas production. "The US shale oil revolution can’t be stopped, but it could be delayed by a potential shortfall of ten-ton valves and giant pipeline pumps," the article says. The shortage of valves stems from the dramatic production increase that the industry has seen in recent months.
The valve shortage has won the attention of GWC Valve International, one of the key suppliers of these sought-after valves. GWC designs and manufactures its own valves and distributes them to companies in the gas, oil, mineral, and marine industries, as well as to power companies. GWC is a leading supplier of valves to natural gas companies across the world.
The company has responded to the valve shortage with a new statement to the press, in which it affirms that the demand for gas pipeline valves is very real.
"GWC Valve International has experienced this boom," says company representative Marian Meighan. "We have had a record year for orders booked."
Ultimately, Meighan says the need for more gas pipeline valves is simply the result of increased fracking and exploration activity. "It’s all about supply and demand," she offers.
Natural gas companies agree that the shortfall of valves simply stems from the major increase in production. Terry McGill, the President of Enbridge Energy, notes that "the supply chain hasn’t quite caught up" with the expanded drilling activity.
The article notes that many of these companies will likely need to delay their drilling activity as they wait for valves to be made, something that reflects the meticulousness of valve manufacturing. Companies like GWC Valve International custom-make all of their valves to meet specific client needs. Following the design of these valves, they must be tested to ensure that they meet the industry’s rigorous safety standards.
The gas companies that produce the most fuel will be the ones that experience the most delays, the article says, simply because they will be required to wait for the most custom valves to be made and delivered.
