Community & Environment

APGA Urges US Cities and Towns Not to Follow New York City’s Mistake

APGA is saddened and disappointed by the New York City Council’s decision to eliminate the direct use of natural gas in newly constructed homes and buildings.

Texas Approves More Power Market Rules to Avoid Repeat Freeze

During the February freeze, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas ordered rolling blackouts to prevent the grid from collapsing as extreme cold shut power plants and froze gas pipelines.

Coast Guard Monitoring Potential Spill Off California

The U.S. Coast Guard and state officials were monitoring a sheen about a half-mile offshore from the Bolsa Chica State Beach in California, the U.S. Coast Guard of Southern California said on Twitter.

New PHMSA Rule Strengthens Pipeline Standards for Great Lakes, Coastal Waters

PHMSA issued an Interim Final Rule that designates the Great Lakes, coastal beaches, and marine coastal waters as “Unusually Sensitive Areas,” extending more stringent requirements to hazardous liquid pipelines near such areas.

United States Grand Jury Accuses Amplify Energy of Negligence in Oil Spill

A federal grand jury has accused Amplify Energy and two of its subsidiaries of illegally and negligently discharging oil during a pipeline break in California in October.

Enbridge Removes Michigan's Oil Pipeline Lawsuit to Federal Court

Enbridge Inc. removed to U.S. federal court a lawsuit filed by Michigan's attorney general against its Line 5 oil pipeline, the latest in a long-running dispute between the Canadian company and the Midwestern state.

British, EU Gas Prices Soar as Less Russian Gas Expected on Friday

British and European wholesale gas prices closed at record highs after data indicated Russian gas exports to Germany through the Yamal pipeline were not expected on Friday.

New York City Bans Natural Gas in New Buildings

The New York City Council voted on Wednesday to ban the use of natural gas in new buildings, following in the footsteps of dozens of smaller U.S. cities seeking to shift from fossil fuels to cleaner forms of energy.

Investor Group Faults New Exxon Board Members on Climate Transition Plan

A coalition of Exxon Mobil Corp. investors wants the oil company to replace its chief executive officer and move more aggressively to slash greenhouse gas emissions.

Report: High Rates of Methane Spewing from Permian Oilfield Operations

Methane continues to escape at a high rate from oil and gas operations in the Permian Basin, according to an aerial survey released Tuesday.

Plains All-American Hoping to Replace Ruptured Oil Pipeline in California

Plains All American Pipeline is applying for a replacement pipeline project in California, showing the state still has potential to host fossil fuel infrastructure even as it takes significant measures to curb climate change.

Belarus Oil Firm Cancels 2022 Druzhba Pipeline Exports to Germany After EU Sanctions

Belarusian oil company Belorusneft has cancelled its 2022 export plans to Germany via the Druzhba pipeline following new European Union sanctions on the company.

Carbon+Intel: Enterprise Products Could Repurpose Pipelines for Carbon Projects

Pipeline operator Enterprise Products Partners could repurpose some of its vast U.S. network of energy pipelines for carbon capture and sequestration projects, co-Chief Executive Jim Teague said.

Plastic Pipe Continuing to Play Key Role in Energy Industry

Much of today’s energy piping infrastructure is made of polyethylene, polyamide, and spoolable composite piping. More and more new piping systems are made from plastic pipe, but there is a lot of work to be done on the renewable energy front.

Carbon+Intel: New Dawn of Carbon Capture, Transportation and Storage

Carbon capture, (use), and storage is particularly suited for operators because of their vast expertise in managing large and complex infrastructure, industrial gas treating, pipelines and reservoir management.

US Has 'Understanding' With Germany to Shut Nord Stream 2 Pipeline if Russia Invades Ukraine

United States officials have told members of Congress they have an understanding with Germany about shutting down the Nord Stream 2 pipeline if Russia invades Ukraine, a senior congressional aide told Reuters on Tuesday.

Southern California Oil Spill: Unfortunate Harbinger for Future Industry Distrust

Repercussions from an offshore oil spill along part of the Southern California coast in the fall, even though overestimated fivefold, could be long-lasting and significant for the oil and natural gas industry in climate change-driven California.

DIMP-Related Pipe Replacement Work Continues in Full Force US

While the amount of work to replace cast-iron and bare-steel pipe has declined in volume since the implementation of the Gas Distribution Integrity Management Program in 2009, there is still plenty of construction left to be done.

Produced Water: Path to Economic, Environmental Gains

Mostly groundwater naturally occurring deep in oil and gas reservoirs, produced water also can include water previously injected into the formation during well treatment or secondary recovery to increase production.

Willie Phillips Sworn in as Newest FERC Commissioner

Nominated by President Joe Biden, Phillips’ unanimous Senate confirmation to FERC on Nov. 16 marks the first time a D.C. Commissioner was appointed to this position.

Texas Cuts $9,000 Power Price Cap After February Freeze

The Public Utility Commission of Texas adopted a proposal to cut the wholesale electricity price cap from $9,000 per megawatt hour to $5,000 to help avoid price spikes like those seen during last winter's February freeze.

Part 1: Charting the Arctic’s Hydrocarbon Future

Climate change projections are useful for strategic planning by governments, regulatory agencies and the global maritime industry. They are all trying to assess the potential for expanded Arctic marine operations in the coming decades.

Biden Methane Proposal Ups Pipeline Responsibility

The Biden administration proposal to limit methane emissions from pipeline transmission compressors and pneumatic controllers goes beyond what the Obama administration had put in place in 2017.

Texas Adopts Rules for NatGas/Power Coordination to Avoid Feb Freeze

The Public Utility Commission of Texas adopted rules to increase coordination between the natural gas and electricity industries to avoid blackouts and other energy emergencies like last winter's February freeze.

Blast-Damaged Part of Arizona NatGas Pipeline Will Be Down for Months, Kinder Expects

U.S. energy company Kinder Morgan Inc. expects part of its El Paso natural gas pipeline to remain out of service for "several months" following a blast in Arizona that killed two people in August.

Natural Gas and Oil Industry Committed to Reducing Methane Emissions, API Testifies

American Petroleum Institute Vice President of Upstream Policy Kevin O’Scannlain testified during the EPA's hearing on proposed methane regulations for new and existing sources.

Michigan Drops Federal Case Against Enbridge Pipeline to Clear Way for State Court Case

The move is a welcome development for Enbridge in one part of the long-running battle over Line 5, but Governor Gretchen Whitmer made it clear she will continue to fight against the 68-year-old oil pipeline.

Canada's Trans Mountain Still 'Days Away' From Restarting Pipeline

Canada's Trans Mountain said it was "still days away" from restarting the key oil pipeline at a reduced capacity as heavy rains continue to impede restoration efforts.

Germany Said to be Working with US on Nord Stream 2 Deal

Germany's foreign ministry said it continued to coordinate closely with the U.S. administration on implementing a joint declaration on the $11 billion pipeline.

Gunmen Kill Four at Pipeline Works in Nigeria

Gunmen have killed four men who were involved in the maintenance on a pipeline owned by the Nigerian subsidiary of Italian oil giant Eni,