Event Summary
Many professionals working in field operations lack a full, connected understanding of how natural gas is handled across systems—from wellhead through gathering, processing, and pipeline transfer. Knowledge is often limited to specific roles, creating gaps in how gas behavior, equipment, and safety practices work together.
These gaps can lead to unsafe conditions, equipment failures, inefficient operations, and regulatory risk. Misunderstanding pressure, flow, or system interactions can result in downtime, product loss, and increased exposure to incidents or non-compliance.
This course delivers a practical, field-focused understanding of natural gas handling by connecting core principles (pressure, flow, measurement) with real-world equipment and operations. It emphasizes how systems work together, not in isolation, enabling participants to see the “big picture” of field operations.
Participants will be able to make better on-the-job decisions related to gas movement, equipment operation, and safety practices. They will identify potential issues earlier, communicate more effectively across teams, and apply best practices that improve reliability, safety, and performance in the field.
What You Will Gain
- A practical understanding of natural gas behavior in field conditions
- Clarity on how gas moves through gathering systems and pipelines
- Working knowledge of key field equipment (compressors, separators, pipelines, valves)
- Improved ability to recognize and prevent operational issues
- Stronger safety awareness tied directly to field activities
- Confidence in applying regulatory and operational best practices
Who Should Attend
- Field operators, technicians, and maintenance personnel
- Operations supervisors and frontline leaders
- Early-career engineers supporting field operations
- HSE and compliance professionals working with field teams
- New hires needing a foundational understanding of gas handling in the field
What Will Be Covered
This course connects the full lifecycle of field gas handling, including:
- Gas Fundamentals & Measurement – Gas properties, pressure (low & high), and measurement practices
- Flow & Movement – Hydraulics and gas behavior through gathering systems
- Infrastructure & Integrity – Pipeline design, construction, maintenance, and corrosion protection
- Field Operations – Compression, treating, pigging, and liquid handling
- Regulatory Awareness – Key elements of DOT Part 192 and field application
- Land & Asset Considerations – Rights-of-way and operational impact
- Safety & Risk Management – Safe practices embedded in daily field operations
Attendees will receive 1 Professional Development Hour (PDH) upon approval.
Meet the Instructor
Stephen McNair
Stephen has over 38 years in the energy industry, having held leadership, operations, commercial, and engineering positions primarily in the natural gas and water midstream space. He spent the first 14 years of his career gaining valuable experience working for ConocoPhillips. The ensuing years he progressed to leadership positions at several gas mid-stream companies including DCP, Enlink, H2O Midstream and Enterprise. He has also held positions with Pioneer Natural Resources (Upstream) and a renewable energy start-up involved with CCS and biomass – Fidelis New Energy
Stephen holds an M.B.A. from Oklahoma City University and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University. He has served on the boards of NMOGA, COGA, and engineering advisory boards at Texas A&M and UT Permian Basin.
