Apply for New Technology Implementation Grants from TECQ Before September 25
Right now, midstream facility operators in Texas can recover up to 50 percent of project costs for qualifying emissions reduction equipment through the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan's New Technology Implementation Grants program. That includes vapor control projects! The September 25 application deadline is approaching, and companies that miss this window will wait another cycle before they can access these substantial reimbursements.Aura Engineering is already working with clients on projects eligible for reimbursement under this program. Your next capital project could be eligible, too! What Are New Technology Implementation Grants? The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) administers the New Technology [...]
30,000 BPH or Bust: Engineering for High-Velocity Marine Loading
It’s an interesting time to be a terminal operator! You’re facing some pretty unprecedented pressures in today's energy market. With crude prices hovering around $100 per barrel and global supply chains stretched thin, demand and scarcity are pushing a lot of midstream facilities past their limit, and not everyone is rising to the opportunity of the moment. Too many operators are being held back by pipes and equipment that are simply too slow for the delivery schedules required! Bottom line? Terminals that can’t achieve high velocity marine loading rates are losing substantial revenue opportunities. The difference between fast, efficient operations [...]
How to Boost Your Storage Tank Throughput Right Now
After years of hovering around $60/bbl, oil prices are once again soaring above $100 per barrel. For terminal facility managers across the U.S., that means every barrel of storage tank throughput is critical right now. Some are responding with major capital projects, but there are opportunities to maximize revenue from existing storage infrastructure, too. But time is of the essence: The current oil supply shock has created a market environment where each barrel of additional throughput translates directly into immediate profit potential. With assistance from the seasoned team at Aura Engineering, you can optimize your current throughput capacity to meet [...]
Designing Control Panels for Storage and Loading Terminals
The old days of manual processes at storage terminals and loading terminals are fading fast. Modern facilities across North America are integrating more and more automation into their processes, and older control systems are being strained to the limit trying to keep up. Modern storage and loading facilities demand control systems that ensure safe, efficient, and compliant operations. For facility managers and petrochemical executives planning new installations or upgrades, understand that designing control panels represents a critical investment that directly impacts operational safety, regulatory compliance, and long-term facility performance. Let’s talk about why that is: The Critical Role of Control [...]
What is Vapor Recovery?
Back when we got started in the 1990s, it was all about vapor control. Well, in the last 30 years, our clients’ needs have evolved considerably. Now, we engineer solutions that go beyond vapor control to actual vapor recovery! It’s no mystery why, either: In the chemical and petrochemical industries, vapor recovery represents one of the most significant opportunities to both boost profitability and ensure regulatory compliance. For facility managers overseeing storage terminals and loading operations, understanding vapor recovery isn't just about environmental responsibility or ever-shifting regulation enforcement. It's about capturing real value that would otherwise evaporate into thin air. [...]
Get a Fast, Easy Operational Review in 2026
If your marine vapor control system is due for its mandatory five-year operational review in 2026, the clock is already ticking. With only a handful of certifying entities authorized by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) to conduct these critical assessments, scheduling your operational review early isn't just recommended—it's essential for maintaining compliance and avoiding costly facility shutdowns. Why Your 2026 Operational Review Can't Wait The USCG requires every marine vapor control system to undergo a comprehensive operational review every five years under 33 CFR 154 Subpart P. This isn't a simple inspection you can postpone or handle internally. Your facility [...]