Achieving automated daily Plant Thermal Reduction (PTR) estimates of gas plant shrinkage by customer without disrupting monthly settlement is a milestone many midstream operators strive for, but few have realized. Enterprise Products and Quorum Software broke through this challenge. They integrated real-time data, modernized workflows, and reshaped their partnership to deliver a scalable, reliable system that drives agility and accuracy across their natural gas assets in Texas and New Mexico. Watch what they shared here.
Lindsey Saunders, Product Manager at Quorum; Chris Taylor, Senior Manager of IT Applications at Enterprise Products; and Justine Gaston, Director of Project Management at Enterprise Products share candid insights which illuminate the technical breakthroughs, cultural shifts, and leadership decisions that together turned a complex integration into a model for digital transformation in midstream operations.
Accelerating Midstream Modernization with Enterprise Products
Building a Foundation for Responsive Operations
Enterprise launched a transformative initiative in Spring 2022 aimed at modernizing processes, strengthening data governance, and dismantling operational silos. This effort shifted the company from slow, monthly settlement cycles toward daily visibility into Plant Thermal Reduction (PTR), enabling faster, more agile operations. Previously, daily estimates of PTR by customers were cumbersome and prone to inaccuracy, meaning customers weren’t sure of the impact of PTR on their pipeline shipped volumes until the month-end accounting close was completed.
Unlocking Real-Time Imbalance Management
Achieving daily accurate PTR was a game-changer for Enterprise Products. This capability delivers immediate insights into imbalances, allowing the team to respond rapidly without disrupting shipper experience or monthly accounting workflows—driving operational efficiency and improving customer service.
Driving Accuracy Through Seamless System Integration
Enterprise Products integrated Quorum’s My Quorum Pipeline and My Quorum TIPS products with enhanced processes and data sharing across contracts, locations, volumes, and imbalances. Rigorous validations prevent errors at the nomination stage. Precise meter-level data for measured volumes, estimated allocations and shrinkage is validated and shared with customers throughout the month. Automated daily allocations feed real-time PTR estimates, while upgraded dashboards provide a single source of truth for operational and commercial teams.
Transforming Collaboration to Deliver Flawless Execution
A key success factor was evolving the Enterprise Products-Quorum relationship from transactional to strategic. Transparent, inclusive steering meetings replaced formal presentations, fostering trust and agility. A staged go-live with thorough testing and fallback plans ensured a smooth transition, making the change nearly invisible to end users.
Overcoming Industry Challenges with Strategic Innovation
| Industry Challenge | Strategic Solution Delivered by Enterprise & Quorum |
| Delayed Imbalance Visibilit | Enabled daily PTR estimation for instant, actionable imbalance insights |
| Fragmented Data Systems | Unified Pipeline and TIPS current month data via shared meters & contracts |
| Error-Prone Processes | Introduced validations to reduce manual errors |
| Risky System Cutovers | Executed phased deployments and fallback protocols for reliability |
| Vendor Relationship Strains | Fostered a collaborative, strategic partnership |
| Outdated Reporting Methods | Modernized reporting with dashboards offering real-time visibility |
What It Means for Energy Today
Daily PTR isn’t just about faster processes—it represents a deeper shift toward real-time operations and proactive commercial management. For companies navigating market volatility, this level of customer service is quickly becoming a competitive necessity.
The Role of Digital Transformation in Accelerating Performance
Enterprise Products' project underscores the value of pairing robust software with strong leadership, inclusive execution, and cultural alignment. By embracing a digital core, operators can unlock new efficiencies, improve compliance, and better serve their customers, all while preparing for future innovation.
As Chris Taylor noted, “We’ve gotten better and better. Run times are improving. Eyes are on it. It’s doing what we built it to do.”
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