What’s more American than apple pie? Some might argue for one of the summer rites of passage, such as the traditional cookout on Father’s Day. Dads everywhere love to celebrate by firing up the gas grill and searing a selection of hot dogs and hamburgers to perfection.
Nothing will ruin a cookout faster, though, than hearing the telltale “whoomph” of the flames going out as the last of the fuel in the cylinder makes its way through the lines. That’s why a pre-cookout checklist should always include ensuring that the propane tank is full.
Unless your name is Hank Hill, you probably don’t give much thought to propane unless you’re exchanging tanks in preparation for grilling season. However, it is becoming a popular topic of conversation at a workplace that might surprise you: the nation’s ports.
According to a recent Material Handling & Logistics article by Jim Bunsey, “[t]wo ports on opposite sides of the U.S.––West Basin Container Terminal (WBCT) at the Port of Los Angeles in California, and Port Newark Container Terminal (PNCT) at the Port of Newark in New Jersey––rely heavily on propane to power their day-to-day operations.”
Bunsey notes that “[b]oth ports make compelling cases for propane as an effective long-term energy solution for ports and other material handling operations. Fueling everything from terminal tractors and forklifts to backup shore power generation, propane is moving ports towards near-zero emissions while slashing operating costs and maintaining reliability.”
This is great news for ports and those who live near them, because “ports have also been long-time sources of air pollution due to their heavy concentration of diesel-powered ocean-going ships and heavy reliance on diesel port equipment.”
Bunsey points out that “[u]nlike gasoline and diesel, propane is a non-toxic energy source that does not contaminate air, land, or water resources at ports. Propane produces significantly fewer emissions than diesel, gasoline and electricity (when total lifecycle emissions are considered) in a wide range of applications for material handling professionals. Propane is even listed as an alternative fuel under the Clean Air Act.”
Propane’s environmental benefits shine in urban areas, like Los Angeles and Newark, where air quality continues to be a major issue. However, experts note that propane’s use at ports also comes with “notable cost savings and efficiency boosts.”
For example, “propane typically costs much less than diesel and gasoline on a per-gallon basis, with fuel savings up to 50%.” Plus, “[p]ropane engines also generally require less maintenance.” According to Bunsey, “[p]ropane infrastructure is also cost-effective. Not only can large operations store over 100,000 gallons of propane onsite, but refueling stations can be installed with a relatively low upfront investment and scaled to meet port-specific needs. And unlike electric alternatives, propane systems aren’t hampered by long charging times, meaning less operational downtime.”
Finally, propane is produced in large quantities in the U.S., because it’s a by-product of both crude oil refinement and natural gas processing. Fortunately, it’s cleaner and cheaper than either natural gas or petroleum, making propane “a reliable, cost-effective and scalable energy solution.”
The growing popularity of propane at the nation’s ports will mean continued demand for both natural gas processing and crude oil refinement. In turn, there will be no shortage of oil and gas jobs for the foreseeable future. In fact, many oil and gas companies still struggle to hire the skilled workers they desperately need. Moving forward, companies will need to continue to hire skilled workers while also upskilling current workers.
So how do oil and gas companies improve their focus on technical skills? For new and current employees, the answer is technical training. Oil and gas workers need both fundamental knowledge and hands-on technical skills with real industrial equipment they’ll encounter on the job. Be sure to check out Bayport Technical’s wide variety of hands-on oil and gas training systems to take your oil and gas training to the next level!
