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Coal-fired power, liquefied-natural-gas (LNG) terminals, oil sands and other alternative markets are attracting more funds than ever, as the oil and gas prices have increased to a very large extent. Canadian oil sands reserve might exceed Saudi Arabia's recoverable reserves, and the industry sources reveal that a long-term increase in prices is certain to encourage even more expansion in the hyperactive oil-sands market sector.

Risk involved in repairing the oil industry is discussed. Further, it is found that the land around refineries, gas-oil separation plants and wellheads is littered with explosive war debris, and looting and sabotage is also considered a big problem.

The top 25 power designers and power contractors are ranked by income. Industry leaders give their advice on power plant construction management.

Issues are presented concerning the use of technology to improve the availability and consumption of electricity. The use of standby generators, fuel cells, microturbines and solar panels is discussed.

Issues are presented concerning the ability of the natural gas pipeline capacity to keep pace with the increasing demand for natural gas. The influence which deregulation and the resistance to gas pipeline construction has on supply is discussed.

The management of Alcan Smelters and Chemicals Ltd. were determined not to make similar mistakes to their previous project in Kitimat, British Columbia, Canada, where they lost $380 million. Their new $1.8 billion smelting factory at Alma, Quebec, Canada, has been fully approved.

The wafer fabrication plants of Conexant Semiconductor Systems Inc in Newport Beach, CA, are faced with the threats of minor earthquakes. Despite the seismic threats in the state, it has been home to high-tech manufacturing centers due to its good transportation networks, skilled and educated work force and industry infrastructure. To protect its facilities, Conexant installed several seismic protection measures of which one is the traditional internal strengthening of the structure.

A prestressed concrete water tank that could very well be the largest in the US is under construction in California. The contract for the 33.3-million gallon tank, which will replace the Twin Oaks Reservoir in San Diego County, has been awarded to ASL Consulting Engineers. Despite the fact that the water district lies in the seismic Zone 4, the reservoir does not have special features to protect it from earthquake accelerations. Its circular design also eliminates the need for a state permit usually mandated for dams.

The construction industry expects deregulation to increase the demand for power plant construction projects particularly in the retrofitting area. Deregulation has set the stage for massive restructuring and is expected to force companies to reuse and to retrofit existing facilities for cost reasons. Utilities are auctioning off assets and buyers are finding that repowering plants are more cost-effective than constructing new ones.

The World Commission on Dams is seeking to resolve the conflicting issues on the environmental, social and economic impact of hydroelectric dam construction projects. New questions are arising on the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of dams as well as the social and environmental impact of dam construction projects around the world. Participants hope that the group would be able to resolve conflicting issues on dams construction.

Clean air requires more complex engine technology and more complex fuel and with fuel economy on everyone's mind, construction firms are becoming savvier about how they manage fuel. The new powertrain business mirrors most manufacturers' efforts to increase the efficiency of their engines.

The opening of the world's first offshore terminal for liquefied natural gas in the winter of the year 2005 would pioneer a new approach for importing the vital fuel. Norway-based engineering-procurement-construction contractor Advanced Production and Loading AS would begin construction of the terminal in August 2004, 116 miles offshore of Louisiana.

Recovery is hampered by war damage to oil pumping stations. According to Ahuma Adodoadji, director of CARE, Iraq is facing major problem in water and sanitation.

Reconstruction of Iraq is not an easy task, according to chief of engineers Lieutenant General Robert B. Flower as infrastructure was in bad condition. Security and communication are among the many challenges for the reconstruction crew.

Pollution reduction strategies and regulations of electric utilities are described. Environmental Protection Agency regulations and a chart detailing pollution standards set by the administration of George W. Bush are provided.

Diesel engines continue to be used in 95% of all construction and utility machines. Diesel engine manufacturers are challenged with developing cost-effective products as more clean air initiatives are implemented.

Digital technology built into industrial controls and instrumentation devices greatly increase the amount of information available to plant operators while optimizing plant performance and automation. However, competition to set the standards is hampering development.

Foster Wheeler Energy Corp. designed and constructed two circulating fluidized-bed boilers for JEA's Northside Generating Station. The article discusses the production and cost benefits of the boiler technology and a related breach of contract lawsuit.

Issues are presented concerning the large numbers of workers and equipment which have been mobilized to assist in the cleanup operation following the collapse of the World Trade Center after terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

The construction market for electric power transmission is getting a boost from a federal proposal to restructure the electrical transmission system. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's proposal in May 1999 called for the formation of 10 regional reliability councils, whose members are electric utilities in the region. Under the proposal, these utilities are authorized to operate, maintain and expand their grids. These transmission grid expansions will mean more construction of power plants and transmission lines.

Bayer Corp embarked on an ambitious $1.2 billion expansion of its chemical production plant in Baytown, TX, and adopted the eight best practices in construction to manage the project. The Pittsburgh, PA-based chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturer hired outside engineers and contractors to handle the construction program, which involved expanding three key production trains. Bechtel Corp, Fluor Daniel Inc and Kvaerner Process won the contracts, with the latter receiving four major projects. Bayer officials say that the expansion project has been a tremendous success in terms of product quality, construction safety, cost and schedule.

Discusses the role of private military companies in providing essential military support services to U.S. military personnel stationed in other countries such as Iraq in 2003. Increased dependence on private military companies due to the reduction of the armed forces; Pros and cons of depending of private military companies; Implications for military operations and the defense industries. INSET: THE CORPORATE MILITARY.

Universal ENSCO Inc continues construction work on a Colorado pipeline project that is scheduled to be finished on Dec 24, 1998. The $240-mil TransColorado Pipeline, owned by a joint venture between KN Energy Inc and Questar Corp, runs from Rio Blanco County to Coyote Gulch Gas Treatment Plant in La Plata County, CO. Universal ENSCO project manager Brad Sitton claims that the project is one of the most difficult the firm has handled because of th slope stability and weather problems.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is considering reforms in its hydroelectric power plant relicensing process, hoping to expedite the relicensing process to address the increase in number of applications. Relicensees between the years 2000 to 2002 have reached 222, representing 23,000 MW of hydroelectric generating capacity. Apart from plant capability reevaluation, environmental regulations such as requiring such power plants to have new fishways, erosion control and water monitoring facilities slow down the relicensing process.