This program provides utility and service company employees with a broad understanding of how the gas utility industry works and a better awareness of their own roles within their organizations. Topics include (1) Extraction + Pipelines, (2) Distribution Operations, (3) How Utilities Make Money, (4) Customers + Usage, (5) Regulations, Codes, and Safety, and (6) Emerging Issues. The class is delivered virtually over two half-days and in a one-day format at the WEI office in Portland, Oregon. WEI member companies may also host a customized on-line or in-person course exclusively for their own employees to provide a unique, individualized training experience. Contact WEI for more information.
Wondering if this course is right for you or your staff…
If the answer is yes to any of these, this course was designed for you.
Member: $499 USD
Regular: $699 USD
The member registration price increases $100 after August 8, 2022 and regular registration price increases $200. Registration includes all course materials, continental breakfast, and a catered lunch.
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
Registration and Check-In
Continental breakfast provided.
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
Participant Introductions and Roundtable
Students share their utility industry background and what they hope to learn throughout the day. Please be prepared to share at least one thing you hope to gain from taking this class.
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Module 1: Extraction + Pipelines
– History of natural gas
– Key terms and definitions
– Natural gas sources and production
– Transmission and distribution infrastructure
9:30 AM - 9:45 AM
Break
9:45 AM - 10:45 AM
Module 2: Distribution Operations
– Essentials of gas operations
– System planning
– Resource management
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM
Break
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Module 3: How Utilities Make Money
– Types of utilities
– Regulatory bodies
– Financial terms and definitions
– How companies set rates
– Rate-making exercise
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Break for Lunch
Full lunch provided. Please indicate any dietary restrictions with your registration.
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Module 4: Customers + Usage
– Consumption
– Gas supply and planning
– Factors that drive natural gas demand
– LNG and CNG
2:00 PM - 2:15 PM
Break
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
Module 5: Regulation, Codes, and Safety
– Federal and state regulations
– Safety incidents
– Integrity management programs
– Public safety messaging
3:15 PM - 3:30 PM
Break
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Module 6: Emerging Issues
– Infrastructure replacement
– Renewable gas
– Opportunities to grow demand
– Electrification + exports
4:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Q&A and Wrap-Up
We circle back to the original expectations of students to ensure that they were met.
The Hilton Portland Downtown is across the street from WEI’s office. Due to the size of the event, there is no defined room block.
Effective August 18, 2022, proof of vaccination status or results of a negative COVID-19 test will not be required for admittance into most WEI-hosted programs.
WEI continues to monitor all federal level CDC, Canadian government and public health agency recommendations, as well as local ordinances, as a policy baseline for in-person programs. We encourage all attendees to review the current guidelines related to isolation and precautions prior to traveling to a WEI event, as well as guidance for traveling to and from Canada, which may differ from guidance for traveling to or from the United States.
Some WEI-hosted programs may require proof of vaccination status, if essential for participation, in which case WEI will communicate this requirement in advance of the program start date.
Please refer to WEI’s Safety + Health Code of Conduct for other important considerations.