Business & Markets
Pipeline Closure Risks Taking Libya's Oil Offline
Military forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar closed a pipeline in Libya on Sunday, potentially reducing national output to a fraction of its normal level, the National Oil Corporation (NOC) said.
Freeport LNG Starts Commercial Operation of Train 2
Freeport LNG announced it has launched commercial operation of the second liquefaction train at its three-train facility, with initial gas deliveries from BP under a 20-year agreement.
Midstream Energy REITs: A New Structure
A recent IRS private ruling allows a real estate investment trust or “REIT” to own and operate traditional midstream infrastructure assets, including storage assets and pipelines, and derive REIT qualifying income from traditional commercial arrangements with customers. If structured correctly, the REIT’s income from these assets and arrangements is treated as “rents from real property,” an important aspect of qualifying for REIT status under the Internal Revenue Code (IRS).
Tallgrass Sets Open Season for Pony Express Commitments
Tallgrass Energy, through its affiliate Tallgrass Pony Express Pipeline, announced a binding open season soliciting shipper commitments for crude oil transportation from Pony Express’ Sterling origin to destinations in Cushing, Okla., in exchange for volume incentive tariff rates. The open season will run to Jan. 29.
Saipem Wins Equatorial Guinea Pipeline Contract
Italy’s Saipem was awarded a contract in Equatorial Guinea worth $90-$100 million to build a 43 mile (70 km) subsea pipeline linking the Alen platform with the Punta Europa petrochemical hub, the oil ministry said.
Moda Midstream to Evaluate New Pipeline as Part of Expansion
U.S. oil export terminal operator Moda Midstream said it has begun to enhance its Moda Ingleside Energy Center (MIEC) in Ingleside, Texas, to allow the docking of larger-sized vessels and is considering a new pipeline as well.
Germany Makes Legal Changes to Ease Nord Stream 2 Completion
Germany’s parliament approved changes to the law governing the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to make it compliant with European Union regulations, removing a hurdle to completion of the Russia-led project.
US Development Agency to Finance Mexico Natural Gas Pipeline
In one of the first actions of the new International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), the U.S. government investment organization is pledging more that $600 million to the Rassini natural gas pipeline to be built across southern Mexico.
Niger Looks to Step Up Oil Production with Pipeline to Coast
Niger began construction on a $7 billion oil pipeline that will reach the coast through West African neighbor Benin. The 1,232-mile (1,982-km) pipeline is Niger’s most important project since gaining independence.
Ohio Power Siting Board Approves Natural Gas Pipeline Route
The Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) approved a route for Duke Energy’s Central Corridor natural gas pipeline.
Transneft Extends Oil Transit Deal with Ukraine Operator
Ukrainian pipeline operator Ukrtransnafta said it has agreed to a 10-year oil transit extension with Russia’s Transneft.
Europe’s Newest Gas Link Could Weaken Gazprom Prices
Europe’s first new gas interconnector in a decade, linking Finland and Estonia across the Baltic Sea, will weaken Gazprom’s hold on the region and spark price competition, the pipeline’s owners said.
FERC Approves Site Prep for Tellurian’s Driftwood Project
U.S. energy regulators approved Tellurian Inc’s request to start site preparation work at its proposed $27.5 billion Driftwood liquefied natural gas (LNG) export project in Louisiana.
New US Energy Secretary Slams New York for Blocking Pipelines
New U.S. Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette slammed New York state regulators for blocking pipelines that would bring natural gas from Appalachia to New England but did not specify whether the Trump administration could do anything to push the projects forward.
EPIC Midstream Loads First Oil Tanker at New Texas Export Terminal
EPIC Midstream loaded its first oil tanker at its new Texas export terminal and plans to open another dock in the third quarter of 2020, benefiting from rising demand for low-sulfur U.S. crude, EPIC President Brian Freed said in a mid-December interview with Reuters.
Billion-Dollar LNG Project in Southern Mozambique Expected in 2020
A final investment decision on a $3.15 billion LNG project near Mozambique’s capital will be taken around the middle of 2020, France’s Total and its partners in the project said after signing an agreement to develop the project.
Vessel Loadings Show Record US LNG Exports
U.S. exports of LNG set two consecutive records in October and November 2019, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates. LNG exports averaged 5.8 Bcf/d with 52 exported cargoes in October and 6.3 Bcf/d with 55 exported cargoes in November, EIA reported, citing Bloomberg Finance shipping data.
Jordanians Protest Israeli Gas Deal
Hundreds of Jordanians demonstrated in downtown Amman on Friday, calling on the government to cancel an agreement in which Israel began pumping natural gas to the kingdom this year.
Plains Crude Pipeline Cancels Rates at Points Originating in Louisiana, Mississippi
Plains All American Pipeline has canceled tariffs on its reversed Capline crude oil pipeline for barrels previously originating at St. James, Louisiana, and Liberty, Mississippi, the midstream company said in a regulatory filing on Thursday.
US Now Boasts More Crude Export than Import Destinations
As U.S. crude oil export volumes increased to an average of 2.8 MMbpd in the first seven months of 2019, the number of destinations – including countries, territories, autonomous regions, and other administrative regions – that receive U.S. exports has also increased.
Long Time Coming: Power Of Siberia Delivers First Gas
The 1,865-mile (3,000-km) Power of Siberia $9 billion gas pipeline is set to become the longest transmission pipeline, east of the Ural Mountains, with its first delivery in mid-December. It will transmit 61 Bcm of natural gas a year from Irkutsk and Yakutia to Russia’s Far East, bringing vital energy for the economic development of the Russian side of the Amur River and onward.
2020 North American Outlook: Industry Adopting ‘Wait And See’ Philosophy
If North America was one giant oil and natural gas basin with one spigot, the flow handle would probably be set at only half-open in 2020, a year when global events will determine if, and which direction, the handle moves.
Canada Supreme Court Rejects British Columbia Bid to Regulate Oil Pipeline
The Supreme Court of Canada on Thursday quickly dismissed an attempt by the western province of British Columbia to regulate what can be transported in a major crude oil pipeline crossing its territory.
Energy Web Atlas Launches EWA Techlink to Enhance Data Offering
Gulf Energy Information, a leading provider of market intelligence and technical information for the international energy industry, today announced the availability of EWA TechLink, a new spatial research tool pairing comprehensive technical content with detailed project data.
China's Oil, Gas Imports Strong in 2019 Despite Trade Dispute
China's imports of major commodities ended last year with a bang, with strong gains showing the appetite of the world's largest importer of natural resources remains robust despite the trade dispute with the United States.
Israel Starts Exporting Gas to Egypt under Landmark Deal
Israel began exporting natural gas to Egypt on Wednesday under one of the most important deals to have been signed by the neighbors since they made peace decades ago.
16 States Oppose PHMSA Proposal for LNG Rail Shipments
Attorneys general from 16 U.S. states have opposed a Trump administration proposal to ship liquefied natural gas (LNG) by rail, arguing that any leaks increase safety risks to residents and emergency responders.
NOAA: Jordan Cove LNG Project Would Have Minimal Environmental Impact
Federal authorities have suggested the environmental impact of the proposed Jordan Cove LNG terminal and pipeline in southern Oregon would be minimal, saying the contentious project wouldn’t jeopardize protected species or adversely change their critical habitat.
Fourth Unit at Kinder Morgan's Georgia Elba LNG Export Plant Ready for Service
Kinder Morgan Inc asked U.S. energy regulators for permission to put the fourth liquefaction train in service at its nearly $2 billion Elba Island liquefied natural gas (LNG) export plant in Georgia.
New Permian Pipelines Boost U.S. Gulf Coast Crude Exports
Three new major pipelines coming out of the Permian Basin have helped crude exports from Corpus Christi, Texas surge in recent weeks, often surpassing hubs such as Houston and Beaumont, Texas.
- Trump Aims to Revive 1,200-Mile Keystone XL Pipeline Despite Major Challenges
- ONEOK Agrees to Sell Interstate Gas Pipelines to DT Midstream for $1.2 Billion
- Energy Transfer Reaches FID on $2.7 Billion, 2.2 Bcf/d Permian Pipeline
- Boardwalk Approves 110-Mile, 1.16 Bcf/d Mississippi Kosci Junction Pipeline Project
- Kinder Morgan Approves $1.4 Billion Mississippi Crossing Project to Boost Southeast Gas Supply
- Tullow Oil on Track to Deliver $600 Million Free Cash Flow Over Next 2 Years
- GOP Lawmakers Slam New York for Blocking $500 Million Pipeline Project
- Energy Transfer Reaches FID on $2.7 Billion, 2.2 Bcf/d Permian Pipeline
- Enbridge Should Rethink Old, Troubled Line 5 Pipeline, IEEFA Says
- Polish Pipeline Operator Offers Firm Capacity to Transport Gas to Ukraine in 2025
