These are good days for pipeline engineering and construction firms. There is a steady flow of work, thanks to booming natural-gas and oil production from U.S. shale plays, increased use of gas for power generation and other factors. The activity is driving a major expansion and reworking of the nation's natural-gas, oil and natural-gas-liquids pipeline network.
While most public attention regarding pipelines is focused on the controversial Keystone XL project, experts say the real action involves dozens of smaller but sizable pipeline jobs, many of which are aimed at connecting shale-play areas with existing pipelines, reinforcing regional pipeline networks and delivering gas to new gas-fired powerplants.