The US oil and gas industry is confident of normal operations on Jan. 1, following its final survey of companies' Year 2000 (Y2K) computer readiness.
The American Petroleum Institute and the Natural Gas Council said that 93% of the companies they surveyed have completed testing their computer systems to assure they will work Jan. 1.
The companies represent 96% of US oil and gas supply. All said they would be Y2K-ready by Dec. 31.
Gasoline readiness
The associations said the survey showed a "remarkable" increase in the retail gasoline service station response rate and readiness.
"This sector represents the largest response in any industry or sector surveyed, with nearly 150,000, or 77%, of the nation's retail gasoline outlets. This sector, comprised largely of independent businesses, also reported that it expects to be Y2K-ready by December.
Ron Quiggins, chairman of API's Y2K task force, said, "Based on this survey, we are more confident than ever of our ability to deliver gas and oil reliably on and after Jan. 1, 2000."
He said gasoline retailers will have extra supplies available to meet any increased demand from consumers concerned about shortages (see related story, p. 20).
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman James Hoecker, who is also head of the government Y2K task force for the energy industry, says the public won't need to top off their gas tanks Dec. 31.
"It is important for the public to know that, assuming normal patterns of consumption, there is about 30 days of storage built into the system, and that fuel can usually be trucked expeditiously to any locality that experiences a shortage.
Gas pipelines, LDCs
The Interstate Natural Gas Association of America reported that 19 of its member companies, representing 99% of interstate gas pipeline shipments, said they will be Y2K-ready.
It said, "Pipelines found no major challenges in completing their Y2K work and will have all contingency plans tested and in place by the end of the year. Also, all companies will have staff on duty during the Year 2000 rollover to monitor pipeline operations."
The American Public Gas Association, representing municipally owned gas systems, said all of its members reported they will be Y2K-ready by Dec. 31.
