Welcome!

EMS Quality Control, LLC (EMSQC) would like to welcome you to the third issue of our quarterly newsletter.  If you did not receive our prior issues, welcome aboard and if you did, well then, welcome back!  The purpose of this newsletter is to keep EMSQC inspectors and clients informed of the projects we are involved with currently as well as our projects in the immediate future. 

Introduction to EMS Quality Control, LLC

EMS Quality Control, LLC (EMSQC) has been formed as an affiliate of Energy Management & Services Co. which has provided technical expertise to the oil and gas industry for the past 18 years while maintaining offices in Versailles, Kentucky and Houston, Texas.  In August 2006 EMSQC was formed to create a particular focus on the construction management and inspection services to meet today’s needs in the oil and gas industry.  With a combined 40 years of industry experience in our management team, our primary objective is to identify inspection support with exceptional expertise and technical knowledge across every phase of a project.

With offices in Versailles, Kentucky and Baytown, Texas EMSQC is geographically positioned to maintain a close presence with any project.  Our management consists of the following individuals:

Kentucky

Shane Honn, President, shanehonn@emsqc.com

Mary Smith, Vice President Administration, msmith@emseng.com

Texas

David Bennett, VP, davidbennett@emsqc.com

Margaret Bennett, Director of Field Services, mbennett@emsqc.com  

Judd Storey, Director of Safety and Human Resources, jstorey@emseng.com 

Corporate Office:                                                                 

EMS Quality Control, LLC                                                

109 Fieldview Drive                                                            

Versailles, Kentucky 40383                                               

(859) 873-0076         

Branch Office:

EMS Quality Control, LLC

9122 N. Highway 146

Baytown, Texas 77520

(281) 576-6705

Projects in Progress

Currently, EMSQC employs 155 Inspectors on various types of projects including, but not limited to;  pipelines, compressor stations, distribution systems, storage and production facilities, etc.  A few of these larger projects are listed below.

Equitrans - Big Sandy:

Construction of the 70 mile, 20" Equitrans Big Sandy Pipeline project in eastern Kentucky is in its final stages.  The pipeline construction was completed in late Decemeber and was built in four sections utilizing two spreads.  The pipeline traverses difficult terrain and elevation changes along the length of the project.  Each section of the pipeline is now in various stages of testing and inline inspection analysis.  The entire pipeline has been tested and cleaned and is anticipated to be completed by March with only cleanup remaining.

Tres Paclacios Gas Storage:

EMS Quality Control is providing construction inspection services to Tres Palacios Gas Storage, LLC (NGS Energy) during the construction of a new salt dome natural gas storage facility in Matagorda County, Texas. 

The Tres Palacios project includes the construction of a gas handling facility and the installation of 10 gas-fired compression units, each capable of generating 4,800 horsepower. 

EMSQC is also involved with the construction inspection of 40 miles (estimated) of dual 24-inch pipelines that would extend from the salt dome storage facility to 12 interconnect sites. 

Gulf South Pipeline; Spread 2

EMS Quality Control is providing inspection services to Gulf South Pipeline on their South East Expansion Project (Phase II).  Construction efforts for spread #2 began on January 3, 2008 in Laurel, Mississippi.  The 40 mile (estimated) 42-inch pipeline will have three mainline valve assemblies and is scheduled to be tied in April 1st. 

Gulf South; Harrisville and Delhi Compressor Station

Gulf South began clearing the compressor station sites at Harrisville, MS and Delhi, LA in December 2007.  EMS Quality Control is providing construction inspection for the Grass Roots Compressor Station which consists of 4 ea. Cat 3616 reciprocating engines. 

The new compressor units and associated equipment will be housed in new buildings along with emergency generator back-up power.  Gulf South will also construct an office/control building.  Additional facilities at the site will include pig launcher/receiver, MLV site and side valves.  The stations are scheduled for completion on May 1st. 

Quicksilver Resources, Inc

In December 2007, Quicksilver Resources Inc awarded EMS Quality Control inspection services for supporting their Glen Rose, Texas field construction office.  EMSQC is excited to be a part of Quicksilver Resources Inc's inspection team as the company continues to grow their production in Texas.

What's on the Horizon

Due to the prolonged high level of activity in the industry, which analysts seem to think will last for quite some time, EMSQC would certainly welcome updated contact information from any qualified inspectors.  If you know of any inspectors with a strong inspection background who may be interested in working for EMSQC in the near future, please have them send an updated resume to inspection@emsqc.com or fax it to (281) 576-6708.

What's New at EMSQC

• EMSQC is consistently pursing opportunities with clients to expand on the level of expertise we provide in the area of construction inspection.  Beginning early in 2007 on the Equitrans Big Sandy pipeline project in eastern Kentucky, EMSQC put together crews of inspectors whose responsibility it was to obtain pipeline data utilizing GPS handheld units.  The data was transferred from the field to the office where it was processed and sent on to the client so they may use it in the mapping of their system.  Since gaining this experience, EMSQC has been actively pursuing opportunities with other clients where this same level of GPS data collection expertise may be considered. 
• The EMSQC website is now operational and can be viewed by visiting www.emsqc.com for up to date information regarding our company.  Also, don't forget to visit www.emseng.com for additional news and information regarding our parent company, Energy Management & Services Co. 

·         EMSQC is also very proud to announce that we are expanding the Baytown, Texas office.  Due to a successful 2007 and the project high level of activity for 2008, EMSQC has determined the time is right to grow the Baytown location.  The address will remain the same so if you are in the Baytown or Houston area at any point in the future, please don’t hesitate to stop in and see us.

Safety Tip of the Quarter

Eye Protection - Seeing is Believing

In just the blink of an eye, an incident can injure or even blind a person who is not wearing proper protective eyewear.  The type of eye protection-safety glasses, goggles, face shields, or helmets must meet the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).  In hazardous workplaces, streetwear eyeglasses should only be worn in conjunction with ANSI-approved additional cover protection.  

Eye safety requirement signs should be posted for anyone entering a work area that requires industrial-quality eye protection.  Warning signs should be placed near machines, equipment, or process areas that require specific eye protection. 

Eye injuries can be reduced when workers are trained to recognize the eye hazard they may encounter and  to use and care for eye protection equipment properly.  Workers in hazardous areas should also know what to do in case of an eye injury.  In all eye injury cases, professional medical attention should be sought as soon as possible after taking initial first-aid measures.  There are several causes for eye injury:

• Foreign particles such as dust, dirt, metal, wood chips, even an eyelash can cause eye damage.  These get into the eye from the wind or activities like chipping, grinding, sawing, brushing, hammering, or from power tools, equipment, and machinery.  Flush the object out with water.  Never rub or try to remove objects embedded in the eye.  This can cause further damage.  Loosely bandage eyes to stop movement then seek professional care. 
• Chemical splashes from solvents, paints, hot liquids, or other hazardous solutions can cause great damage.  Go immediately to the nearest emergency shower or water source.  Look directly into the stream of water.  With fingers hold eyes open and flush eyes for at least 15 minutes. 
• Light burns can be caused from exposure to welding, lasers, or other radiant light.  Their effect may not be felt until hours later when the eyes begin to feel gritty and become sensitive to light, then redness or swelling may occur.  Keep eyes closed while awaiting medical attention.
• Bumps and blows to the eyes can be helped if a cold compress is applied for 15 minutes to reduce pain and swelling. 
• Cuts in or around the eyes should be loosely bandaged to stop any eye movement until professionally attended.  Don't rub, press, or wash the cut; this can cause further damage. 

Eye safety is no accident.  Nothing can replace the loss of an eye.  Protect your eyesight from workplace hazards by wearing and caring for appropriate, approved protective eyewear.  You'll see the difference. 

For more information regarding safety, please contact Judd Storey via email at jstorey@emseng.com or call at (281) 576-6705