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Do Natural Gas Appliances Work in a Power Outage?

Last winter, Texas faced an unprecedented power outage that left millions without electricity. While electricity may have been out of the question, many people were left asking themselves if they were still able to use their natural gas-powered appliances to meet some basic needs.

Although we hope that another power outage like last year won’t affect us in 2022, the team at Pro-Gas, LLC always believes that it’s best to be prepared.

Here’s a look at household appliances that will or will not work during a power outage and how you can safely use them if the electricity goes out.

Do Appliances That Require Gas Work During a Power Outage?

The answer really depends on the type of appliance that you’re working with. Keep in mind, though, that appliances that do work without electricity must be approached and used with caution.

Let’s review some of the gas appliance’s do’s and don’ts that you should always consider during a prolonged power outage.

Hot Water Heater

Even when the power is out, people still want to have a hot shower or bath to get through the day. Fortunately, if your hot water heater is a traditional, vented water heater that relies on natural gas, you’re in luck. These standard models usually have standing pilots that remain functional even without electricity.

However, if your water heater has power vents or is a tankless system, you’ll need electricity to receive hot water and, unless your tankless system generates electricity from water flow, you’re out of luck.

Gas Stoves

Gas stoves are extremely valuable appliances during a power outage. They allow you to heat up water and continue cooking throughout the situation. Keep in mind that while older gas stoves will work without electricity, if it’s powered by an electric ignition system, that aspect of the appliance will fail during an outage.

Before attempting to override your appliance, consult your appliance’s manual to ensure that it can be overridden. If an override is possible, follow the manual’s safety precautions in order to light your stove without causing a dangerous reaction.

Fire Place

Most gas fireplaces can easily be used to keep your family warm without electricity. Older model gas fireplaces are powered by a pilot that won’t go out during an electrical outage. If you know that this is the case with your appliance, then you’re in luck!

However, even if your fireplace needs electricity to ignite there are a couple of routes you can take to get your house warm again:

Manually light your fireplace’s standing pilot via suggested safety precautions in your owner’s manual.
Stay prepared and purchase an electric battery-powered ignitor that serves as a reliable and safe backup plan for when the power goes out.

Furnace

Unfortunately, without electricity, even a gas-powered furnace will not work during an outage. Circuit boards, blower motors, and other aspects of your appliance all require electricity to get the heat flowing.

Keep Your Facility’s Natural Gas Consumer-Ready With Pro-Gas, LLC

If you are the manager of a natural gas production facility that is looking for industrial equipment that guarantees a premium product, Pro-Gas, LLC is available to help. We are one of the nation’s leading providers of natural gas conditioners, LNG storage options, and more!

Reach out to us today to learn more about our product availability!

Oil and Gas Industry Predictions for 2022

The oil and gas or O&G industry has experienced dynamic moves from 2020 and into 2021. This year, the industry saw oil prices rise from the lowest numbers in decades. There was a steady increase in demand as production tried to keep up. As 2022 comes around, oil production facilities are looking to a brighter future. Learn more about O&G predictions right now with a look at the top 5 outlooks.

1. Global Oil Inventories Will Increase in 2022

During the early months of the pandemic, oil and gas industry facilities shut down altogether. As lockdowns ended and vaccines arrived, more people returned to work and produced those oil barrels. There’s no indication that global lockdowns will become the norm again, which means that business can resume as normal.

A key prediction for 2022 is ample inventory. OPEC countries are producing oil at a rapid pace now. Demand for oil is easing just a bit too. This balancing act allows both oil and natural gas production facilities to keep up with inventory. Countries must work together in order to make this balance possible.

2. Higher Oil Prices can Benefit the Transition to Greener Practices

A fascinating industry alternative comes out of high oil prices. When O&G industries have ample funds from high prices, they can invest in greener practices. These options, such as carbon capture, utilization, and storage or CCUS, may not be explored otherwise without the high oil prices. They’re seen as riskier investments in more uncertain times. Companies use the extra funds in order to build up alternative options that can become the norm in the near future.

With oil prices set to stay above $60 per barrel in 2022, funds will definitely be available for greener practices and exploring measures.

3. ESG Goals Will Play a Larger Role in O&G M&A

The world is a different place than it was 20 years ago. Corporations are looking to improve their ESG or environmental, social, and governance images. Investing exclusively in oil has its controversies even today. As a solution, the O&G industry must look at mergers and acquisitions in a new light.

The changing landscape offers an eclectic array of opportunities, such as mixing green practices with traditional oil business. Corporate executives will think outside of the box in order to move companies ahead. Partnering for a greener tomorrow will only improve the quality of life across the globe as more people demand energy from various sources.

4. Gas Prices Could Double

Gasoline prices are always a concern in the O&G industry. They’re directly impacted by barrel pricing. Current predictions show that gas prices will rise through 2022 and 2023. There are multiple factors that impact this cost too. OPEC countries are constantly shifting production and spare-oil supplies, for example. Shipping across the globe continues to expand, which leads to higher demand for fuel and higher prices.

5. Greener Approaches will Create More Industry Jobs All-Around

It’s true that the 2020 downturn impacted the human side of the O&G industry. Employees were laid off, and not everyone has returned. Although there are certain jobs available, people remain wary about this industry.

As greener approaches arise with higher oil prices, these potential employees have a chance at joining the workforce again. However, they have even more opportunities in this ever-changing industry. They aren’t just working for the oil and gas industry. Employees can learn new skills that apply to those greener approaches. Overall, the industry can expand and grow as more people rely on these jobs for their livelihoods.

Stay Updated on the Latest Oil and Gas News With Pro-Gas, LLC

Oil production facilities thrive with a combination of modern technology, clever employees, and optimistic outlooks. 2022 will undoubtedly be a busy time as demand and production rise to meet the challenges. Trust in oil and gas equipment from Pro-Gas Services, LLC because we can help you achieve those environmental and production goals.

5 Natural Gas Saving Tips to Follow During the Holidays

Although Pro-Gas typically focuses on helping natural gas facilities improve their output, we figured since it was the season of giving, we’d do our part and help the facilities we work with spread energy-saving tips to the average consumer.

No matter how many people come through for the holidays, they are a busy time of the year and can leave homeowners with a hefty energy bill once the season is over.

Let us help you save a little cash this holiday season. Follow our 5 tips for saving natural gas while still enjoying this special time with your family and friends.

Wash Heavy Loads On Cold

The holidays often leave many of us opening our homes to traveling guests. This is usually a great time to be had, but also means that several loads of laundry are bound to get washed during a lengthy visit.

One of the most common uses of natural gas is to heat up water heaters for showers, dishwashing, and laundry. In order to save some energy this season, wash all of your major loads in cold water. It won’t hurt the average piece of clothing and is even beneficial for getting out those tough stains that may have accumulated during your holiday feast.

Bake Several Dishes at Once

If you’re hosting the holiday dinner, save some time and money with a little oven planning and schedule your temperature use around several dishes at once. This is not only a great way to save money, but also helps keep your busy kitchen in order and gets more food to the table, faster.

Host a Potluck Holiday

Another food preparation tip that could reduce your gas bill is to let your guests know that your holidays are going to be a potluck event.

This gives your oven a break and also allows your friends and family to showcase their favorite dishes at your dinner. Trust us when we say, this is a win-win for everyone involved.

Take Advantage of Your Fireplace

Although many homes have functional fireplaces, most homeowners prefer to turn up the thermostat to heat up a house. A traditional fire can be a great way to create an intimate holiday setting without breaking the bank.

Even if the fire is mainly used for looks, it will effectively heat up your home and put your family in the holiday spirit.

Plan a Holiday Lights Outing

If you are trying to save money on energy this holiday season, you may not have a house that’s decorated like the Griswolds. However, there are usually several areas throughout a community that purposely go all out to showcase their home decorations to the public.

Whether you bundle up and walk through these neighborhoods or pick up some cocoa and slowly drive through and enjoy the lights, this is a great way to save money on energy without sacrificing one of the favorite traditions of the season.

Pro-Gas, LLC Wishes Your Community a Safe and Happy Holiday Season

At Pro-Gas, we want everyone in the communities we serve to enjoy a happy holiday season. We are a Texas-based company that supplies essential site products like fuel conditioners and storage to collection sites and facilities across the country.

If you are a facility owner or manager in the oil and gas industry, reach out to us today to learn more about our current product offerings and how we can help improve your sites for less.

4 Reasons Upgrades Are Essential in Aging Oil & Gas Equipment

Oil & gas facility equipment is built to withstand harsh weather conditions, constant use, and extreme internal operating temperatures. However, facility equipment will never last forever.

Even with regular maintenance, equipment ages, and becomes a detriment to a facility or drill site.

Here’s a closer look at four reasons why your oil & gas facility should keep tabs on the age of its equipment and make essential upgrades whenever necessary.

Old Equipment Presents Too Much Risk for a Facility

As your facility continues to rely on outdated equipment, several risk factors arise that pose significant problems to your site’s success.

While operational and business risks are problems that could develop, the biggest risk of older equipment is the safety risk it poses to your operators. If older equipment malfunctions and puts some of your essential workers out of commission, your daily productivity could quickly come to a halt.

Regular equipment upgrades help ensure that your equipment is always safe to operate and mitigates several risk factors your company faces.

Older Equipment Maintenance Slows Down Productivity

As equipment ages, it will increasingly become prone to breaking down and needing extra maintenance. At first, this may not be too much trouble and your productivity may be unaffected.

However, over time, as equipment becomes evermore obsolete, it becomes harder to track down the materials necessary for repairs. This extends the time allotted for repairs, puts the machinery your facility has out of service, and slows down your daily oil and gas production.

Upgrades Actually Save Money in the Long-Term

Although investing in new equipment may seem like a large upfront expense, the truth is that your facility or drill site saves money in the long run by getting rid of its old equipment.

As we’ve mentioned before, obsolete equipment takes time to repair and can also come with expensive maintenance fees and replacement parts.

Upgrading equipment gives your team the latest technology that brings swift, affordable maintenance with little downtime.

Your Facility Retains its Industrial Competence

It’s important for your facility’s bottom line to remain competitive within the industry. If your oil & gas company consistently relies on outdated equipment it will only end up falling behind its competitors based on its own lack of technical competence.

Upgraded equipment allows for further training opportunities, experience with new practices, and as a whole, puts your firm at the forefront of industry practices.

What Makes Pro-Gas Your Equipment Upgrade Specialist?

When the need for new oil & gas equipment arises, make sure that your facility upgrades with the most reliable provider in the industry. Pro-Gas, LLC.

Our team has over 90-years of experience in our industry and understands quality equipment when we see it.

We specialize in providing equipment that meets any client’s specific needs and streamlines the production process through our state-of-the-art technology that replaces your obsolete equipment.

From portable storage products to skid-mounted natural gas coolers, we have the equipment your facility needs to exceed its production goals.

Upgrade Your Facility Equipment Today With Pro-Gas, LLC

If you’re ready to upgrade your facility equipment at a competitive price point, the Pro-Gas team wants to meet you. Contact us today to learn more about our available equipment in your area.

What Are the 3 Steps of Oil Refining?

As much as we’d love for the oil and gas (O&G) industry to be as simple as extracting oil from the ground and sending it directly to consumers, that dream will never happen.

The truth is, there are several processes that crude oil needs to go through before it can reach the hands of consumers.

Let’s take a closer look at why crude oil needs to be refined and the exact refining process that our products have to go through before being used in a home or automobile.

Why Does Oil Have to Be Refined?

Taken directly from the source, crude oil can only really be used for burning fuel. This practice alone is a waste of a valuable resource.

So, refineries around the world essentially take a complex resource made from thousands of hydrocarbons and break it down into a usable resource through a 3 step refining process.

What Are the Steps in the Refining Process?

The refining process helps create petroleum products like gasoline, plastics, fibers, and materials for wind turbine blades. Obviously, the process is one that is integral to the O&G industry. So, let’s dive into what each step means

Separation

Separation is the process of heating up crude oil to the point that essential hydrocarbons boil off and are able to be distilled for use in future petroleum products.

Distillation units separate molecules based on their unique weights. Essentially as the unit receives the boiling crude oil, it separates it into fractions that are organized in the unit based on their boiling points. This leaves the heaviest fractions (residual fuel oil) resting at the bottom of a unit, the lightest fractions (butane) resting at the top.

Some of the most common products that directly result from separation include:

Butane
Kerosene
Heavy Gas Oil
Diesel Oil

Conversion

Conversion further refines the fractions created during the separation process. After all, even after being separated, there are still heavy molecules in the fractions that don’t allow the product to meet industry standards.

Conversion takes the fractions and uses heat, pressure, and catalysts to further “crack” the heavier molecules into lighter components that will soon become the products that consumers use on a daily basis.

Treating

Conversion still leaves molecules in petroleum products like sulfur that can result in air pollution if not treated. This part of the process further refines oils by combining different streams and removing substantial amounts of sulfur and other impurities.

Once this process is complete, the oil is considered treated. It is then stored in NGL containers where it remains safe until it is eventually moved downstream via the consumer pipelines.

How can Pro-Gas Help Your Facility Accomplish Efficient Refining?

Pro-Gas, LLC is one of the nation’s largest providers of quality O&G facility equipment. Whether you need NGL storage to move around crude/refined oils or need gas conditioners on site to help give the refining process a head start, our products help your facility meet its goals.

Contact us today to learn more about our available products in your area and how we can help your O&G team create pure, clean petroleum products for consumer use.

5 Major Oil & Gas 2021 Company Profiles

At Pro-Gas, LLC, we take pride in helping our clients make the most of their oil and gas (O&G) facilities. From world-class equipment to specialized industry services, we believe that our work pushes clients to produce on par with some of the greatest in our industry.

Wondering who the biggest names in the industry are? While the answers may sound familiar, we thought it’d be nice to shine the spotlight on 5 of the major oil companies of 2021. Maybe some insight on their practices could encourage younger O&G companies to follow suit and further push our industry forward in 2022 and beyond.

Shell

Shell (AKA Royal Dutch Shell) was founded in 1907 and has steadily grown and established itself as one of the top oil companies in the world.

This O&G company originated in the Netherlands and is known for its global reach in over 70 countries around the world.

Trust us when we say that they’ve invested heavily in oil storage. The company produces 3.7 million barrels of oil a day.

Chevron

California-based company Chevron was founded in 1879 under the name Star Oil. This successful American company sells over 3 million barrels of oil daily and is ranked on two Fortune 500 lists.

Not only are they one of the leading O&G companies to focus on alternative energy, but they never take their eye off of the prize and remain one of two fuel brands to be top-tier certified.

Exxon Mobil

Exxon Mobil is an American company that specializes in refining 6,3 million barrels of oil a day. Exxon is voted 8 of the top 20 O&G companies in the world and has an annual revenue of over 184 billion dollars.

Exxon is also known for its humanitarian efforts in its aid in the fight against Ebola and the development of rubbing alcohol by their own researchers.

BP

Formerly known as British Petroleum, BP is one of the supermajor companies in our industry. Their company delves into upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors while standing out in several key areas of the industry on their own:

Exploration
Alternative Energy
Power Generation
General Production

A company like BP realizes that in order to remain relevant in our industry, shifting with the times is a necessity as well as being a jack of all trades in several O&G sectors.

Valero

Valero is one of the younger O&G leaders as it was formed in 1980. Although it’s a “newer” brand, it is a Fortune 500 company that is considered one of the largest independent petroleum companies, as it consistently produces 3 million barrels of oil per day.

Bring Your O&G Company to the Top with Pro-Gas, LLC

If you’re ready to make your O&G company the best it can be, Pro-Gas, LLC is ready to help! Our specialty services have helped facilities large and small over our decades in business, and there is no industry issue our products can’t solve.

From natural gas storage to mobile gas coolers, we have the equipment your brand needs to level up. Contact us today to learn more about our current product availability.

Does Crude Oil Go Bad?

Nothing lasts forever, right? Well, when one considers the thousands of years that crude oil has rested beneath the Earth’s surface, it seems possible that oil and gas could theoretically never go bad.

So, do crude oil and gasoline go bad? Let’s take a closer look at these questions and shed some light on one of the biggest myths about oil & gas that circle around some of our most valuable materials.

There Is No “Use By” Date, But…

Although you can’t lift an oil drum lid and sniff out bad oil like you would a gallon of milk, under the right conditions and improper exposure crude oil can, in fact, go bad.

Oil doesn’t contain materials that routinely expire as other products do. However, mishandling crude oil can degrade the quality of the product and result in wasted, valuable resources.

Oil Drum Storage Matters

While oil drums are meant to store and protect oil from outside elements that could degrade it, misuse and misplacement of oil drums can eventually lead to wasted oil.

For example, storing oil drums outside in Texas is one of the worst possible situations for a product. Texas heat, combined with large amounts of water build-up from unexpected and strong thunderstorms can lead to water seeping into an oil drum, clouding up and degrading the material.

Other Ways Oil Can Degrade

Although water is one of the most common reasons behind oil degradation, other avoidable factors can also lead to a completely wasted product.

Oxidation

If your crude oil is exposed to oxygen, over time, oxygen will make its way into your oil and create the oxidation process. When this happens, the literal qualities of your oil transform and turn the product into a high viscosity sludge that shouldn’t be used under any circumstances.

Evaporation

As sturdy as crude oil seems, evaporation is a very real occurrence that can happen if oil is left exposed outdoors. In fact, when light oil spills happen, evaporation is part of the cleanup process.

Unfortunately, once evaporated, you can’t get the oil back. So, make sure that when your facility stores oil it isn’t stored in a way that leads to naturally wasted oil.

How Can You Keep Crude Oil Protected?

If your facility needs to store oil for a long period of time, temperature control and dryness are essential. Indoor storage is the most ideal location for oil drums because not only do your drums get the temperature control they need, but they are easy to keep clean, dry, and accessible when you need them.

Some other tips for storing and protecting oil drums include the following practices:

Horizontal storage for moisture prevention
Storing drums away from heating appliances
Storage in an area with level flooring

Keep Your Oil and Gas Stored Securely With Pro-Gas, LLC

If you are a manager of an O&G production facility and want to guarantee that your location’s personal oil storage is secure, let the team at Pro-Gas, LLC help.

We offer skidded NGL storage solutions that make storing and moving your oils around your site a simple and safe task. Contact us today to learn more about our services and to explore our product availability in your area!

How Are Natural Gas Prices Determined?

Natural gas prices are an important factor that even consumers look out for when it comes to the oil and gas (O&G) industry. While we’ve discussed the reasons why gas prices fluctuate throughout the year, we thought it would be informative to expand on the topic and dig into how natural gas prices are determined when gas is taken from the source.

Here’s a look at four of the biggest ways O&G determines the price of natural gas and how Pro-Gas products can help cut down on costs for everyone involved.

Natural Gas Storage Capacities

Natural gas storage is one of the most important factors when determining where to set gas prices. In situations where there is ample storage because gas is in high demand, storage costs are generally lower, therefore, natural gas prices are lower.

However, if storage capacities start to run thin and the price to store natural gas becomes costly, consumers can expect to see a spike in rates the next time they fill up at the pump.

Crude Oil Prices

When crude oil prices begin to rise, many companies that rely on crude oil for production may turn to natural gas to power the machinery that creates their products. This is an example of increased demand that reduces the general supply of natural gas.

When this type of supply and demand situation happens based on crude oil prices, the powers behind natural gas prices either increase or decrease costs for those that use it.

Production Competitiveness

Mining and producing natural gas for consumer use is a competitive process, and the various prices O&G companies set on natural gas are some of the highest drivers of competition.

As competition for mining and selling valuable resources increases, the cost of natural gas or other resources will continue to rise and fall. Fluctuations in price occur based on consumer interests and what resources are valued at the time.

For example, if coal becomes a more valuable resource in the eyes of consumers, the price of coal will increase while the price of natural gas decreases.

How Does Pro-Gas Influence Gas Prices?

Although Pro-Gas is a provider of O&G equipment to sites and facilities, the quality of the equipment we offer can help influence natural gas prices at a local level.

The efficiency of our equipment like gas coolers and conditioners makes it easier for O&G companies to prepare natural gas for consumers at a faster rate. When local facilities can easily pump out produced gas, they gain the advantage of being the first to use valuable storage space, influence their competitive advantage, and stimulate the cost of natural gas as it hits the consumer markets.

Secure Premier O&G Equipment Today, From Pro-Gas, LLC

If your O&G company is ready to start saving money while increasing productivity, the team at Pro-Gas, LLC is here to help. We are a national O&G equipment company that provides facilities and drill sites with essential equipment that brings gas products to consumers.

5 Drill Site Safety Tips for Oil and Gas Employees

Oil & gas (O&G) employees that work at drill sites, off-shore rigs, and facilities must practice essential safety techniques to ensure employee safety and consistent site productivity.

While we’ve already examined safety tips for off-shore drilling rigs and O&G facilities, we haven’t really looked into safety at our industry’s on-shore sites.

Let’s dig into 5 essential safety tips every O&G employee should practice at an on-shore collection site.

Protect the Integrity of Your Machines

While equipment maintenance may seem more like a mere upkeep task, the truth is that when your machines function properly, they function safely.

O&G equipment must operate perfectly, otherwise, their temperamental nature could result in a malfunction that causes a catastrophic accident at your site.

Create Familiarity WIth Your Worksite

Before you bring on new team members to your drill site, make sure to help them get to know the layout of your site. As you show them where emergency resources and other important areas of the site are located, this is now a great opportunity to review what each job at your site covers and how your new employee fits in.

An in-depth orientation keeps new employees out of harm’s way and helps them perform their jobs safely and effectively.

Clean Up Your Work Surfaces

Slip and fall accidents can be devastating at an oil collection site. Since your team is going to work with equipment and materials that could lead to a slick surface, make sure to clean up your work area once your job is complete.

This may seem like an extraneous step in the process, but it’s one that leaves a safer path for everyone on your team.

Create Clear Safety Communication Lines

As long as your site lets employees know that it’s a safe place to discuss safety concerns, your team is likely to be more open to communicating when it counts. Personal connections with your team can make all the difference between a decent drill site and a safe, extremely productive site.

Designate Repair and Safety Product Areas

Every industrial site needs to have ample supplies of safety and repair equipment. At an O&G site, anything can malfunction at any time. So, make sure that your site has designated areas where team members can easily access the equipment they need in an emergency situation.

The faster an employee can address an issue, the safer your site will be.

Experience Safer Operations With Equipment From Pro-Gas, LLC

If you are a member of the O&G industry that has control over the equipment used at your site or facility, make sure that your next equipment order comes from the best in the industry.

At Pro-Gas, LLC we offer reliable, mobile O&G conditioners and related equipment that helps keep job sites productive and safe.