State Legislators, Academics and Energy Executives Discuss Importance of Oil & Gas Midstream Sector at Kickoff Symposium for Lamar University’s Newly Created Center for Midstream Management & Science

State Legislators, Academics and Energy Executives Discuss Importance of Oil & Gas Midstream Sector at Kickoff Symposium for Lamar University’s Newly Created Center for Midstream Management & Science

The importance of the midstream sector of the Texas oil and natural gas industry and its role in connecting record production of oil and natural gas to the downstream advances in refining and liquefaction technologies was examined today at the kickoff symposium for the newly created Lamar University Center for Midstream Management & Science. The…

New Master Subcontract Agreement by ConsensusDocs

The ConsensusDocs Coalition just published the new Standard Master Subcontract Agreement Between Constructor and Subcontractor and the Standard Project Work Order. The master agreement (ConsensusDocs 755) provides the general terms and conditions between a Constructor (general contractor, design builder, construction manager) and a Subcontractor. The 755 addresses terms and conditions such as indemnification, notice requirements,…

DOD will start requiring contractors to meet cybersecurity standards next month

DOD will start requiring contractors to meet cybersecurity standards next month

The Department of Defense (DOD) will roll out its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) in January 2020 so that it can ensure contractors on government projects have the necessary cybersecurity practices in place to protect the controlled unclassified information (CUI) to which they are privy. The type of information the DOD is trying to protect includes data…

ExxonMobil, FuelCell Energy expand agreement for carbon capture technology

ExxonMobil, FuelCell Energy expand agreement for carbon capture technology

Agreement to optimize carbonate fuel cell technology for large-scale carbon capture  ExxonMobil exploring opportunities to deploy technology within its operations  The agreement, worth up to $60 million, will focus efforts on optimizing the core technology, overall process integration and large-scale deployment of carbon capture solutions. ExxonMobil is exploring options to conduct a pilot test of…

$810M phase of Texas Rangers sports, entertainment district construction approved by Arlington council

The Arlington, Texas, city council voted to continue its partnership with the MLB’s Texas Rangers, Loews Hotels & Co, a wholly owned subsidiary of Loews Corp., and The Cordish Cos., and is moving forward with an $810 million expansion of Arlington’s Entertainment District.   The city extended the term of the district’s Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone, which will help fund improvements…

2020 could see construction growth throttled by costs, labor and bearish owners

2020 could see construction growth throttled by costs, labor and bearish owners

Next year could be a pivotal one for commercial construction, according to two of the industry’s top economists. The question is, though, which way will it pivot? While there are several bright spots in the U.S. economy, including low interest rates, high consumer confidence and a pickup in residential construction, some indicators are pointing to…

Statement of Intent

Statement of Intent

The rapid development and increasing population of Austin have created a polarity within the city. While some are eager to accept changes to the urban fabric, many are hesitant about what growth may bring: traffic, overcrowding, perhaps gross and thoughtless real estate development? Regardless, the city is expanding at an unprecedented rate and expected to…

SMALL BUSINESS GRADUATES HONORED BY INTERAGENCY MENTOR PROTÉGÉ PROGRAM

Port Houston’s small business and education outreach department recently hosted a graduation reception for the Interagency Mentor Protégé Program 2019 class on the M/V Sam Houston. With the guidance of local agencies, twenty-one protégés are now on the path to discovering new resources and taking their companies to new heights after completing the program. The…

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT APPROVED FOR HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL EXPANSION PROJECT

A professional services contract of $5.5 million was approved by the Port Commission and awarded to TC&B/GBA, a joint venture of Turner Collie and Braden, Inc. and Gahagan & Bryant Associates, Inc. at the September Port Commission meeting. The ship channel expansion work includes critical-path professional services for engineering, design and project coordination. The widening…

Port Commission Approves 2020 Operating and Capital Budget

Port Commission Approves 2020 Operating and Capital Budget

Demonstrating commitment to strategic vision and stewardship The Fiscal Year 2020 Operating and Capital Budget was approved Monday during the Annual Budget Workshop, a special meeting of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority. Port Commission Chairman Ric Campo applauded Port Houston staff for doing a great job positioning the port to deliver…

Construction Safety at Heights

Construction Safety at Heights

The very top of a construction project may have the biggest impact on a company’s bottom line. Workers for The Boldt Company, a member of multiple AGC chapters, routinely work 120-130 feet in the air on large power and industrial plant jobsites and the slightest misstep could result in personal injury and devastating losses to…

HERE ARE 21 SURPRISE WAYS TO AVOID DELAYS IN PERMITTING IN THE NEW YEAR

We receive many calls from Contractors, Project Owners and Architects from across the country.  Many are frustrated with their plans being stuck in permitting with no glimmer of hope that their permit will be issued any time soon.  Some of these calls reveal tough designs that require changes to meet building codes and from reviewing…

PERMIAN BASIN: GROWTH ON THE HORIZON

For decades, the Ghawar field in Saudia Arabia stood alone as the most productive energy resource on the global stage – a behemoth of energy supplying much of the world’s demand. This year, though, marked an unprecedented shakeup in the energy ranking with a resurgent Permian Basin outpacing Ghawar in production. The Permian Basin –…

Oil and Gas Sees Widescale VR Deployment

Oil and Gas Sees Widescale VR Deployment

 The oil and gas industry is witnessing wide-scale deployment of virtual reality (VR) technology across its value chain. That’s according to GlobalData, which has produced a new report exploring how VR is finding its way into the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors. In the report, the company identified the following oil and gas players among…

Innovations enhancing jobsite intelligence

Innovations enhancing jobsite intelligence

 In today’s competitive landscape, construction firms need to leverage current technologies in their business strategy. Innovations in site monitoring alone have proven to increase efficiency and productivity while improving communication.  The insights that real-time jobsite monitoring deliver can transform how you manage your projects. The visual data collected during the execution phase can significantly influence…

Houston Manufacturers: Positive Environment Will Help Expand Local Operations

Houston Manufacturers: Positive Environment Will Help Expand Local Operations

Major manufacturers in Houston are bullish on their expansion plans in the region, which could help bolster Houston’s identity as a hub for various segments of the industry.  That was one of the main discussion points at the Greater Houston Partnership’s Manufacturing Industry Forum on November 6. Mike Molnar, Founding Director of the Office of…

WBCS Member Creates Program to Help WBEs Reduce Energy Costs

WBCS Member Creates Program to Help WBEs Reduce Energy Costs

Melinda Zito O’Brien, Founder and Owner of Energy Utility Group, started working in the energy sector after seeing a new opportunity emerge as energy became deregulated in the U.S. And now she’s on a mission to help fellow Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) reduce their energy costs while incorporating sustainability into their operations.  Join us as…