Infrastructure

TotalEnergies to Restart Its Delayed Mozambique LNG Project in Early 2024

French energy firm TotalEnergies plans to restart its long-delayed $20 billion Mozambique liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in the first quarter of next year, two sources told Reuters late on Friday.

Equinor Unloads Azerbaijan Assets, Including BTC Pipeline

Norway's Equinor said on Friday it has agreed to sell its assets in Azerbaijan to state-owned energy firm SOCAR, including interests in the ACG oilfield and the BTC pipeline for an undisclosed price.

Energy Transfer Faces Allegations of Anti-Competitive Practices in Louisiana Pipeline Dispute

(P&GJ) — The dispute centers around Energy Transfer's denial of three projects seeking to cross its pipelines, leading to a legal battle impacting over $2 billion in energy infrastructure.

Canada Regulator Denies Trans Mountain Variance Due to Pipeline Integrity, Environmental Concerns

The Canada Energy Regulator said on Wednesday it denied a variance request from the Trans Mountain expansion project because the application did not adequately address concerns about pipeline integrity and environmental protection impacts.

FERC Approves MVP’s Southgate Gas Pipeline Extension in North Carolina, Alongside Rate Hike

(P&GJ) — The Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) has received two federal approvals from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC): one for increased rates on the transportation of natural gas through the 303-mile pipeline and the other for additional time for the construction of a North Carolina extension known as the Southgate Project.

Germany's Stade LNG Project Set for February Arrival of Floating Terminal

Germany's emerging LNG terminal in the Elbe river port of Stade expects its floating regasification vessel (FSRU) to arrive in February, allowing seaborne gas cargoes to be fed into local pipeline grids, its management said on Wednesday.

Mexico Shows Elevated Methane Emissions from Gas Pipeline, Scientists Report

Mexico emitted "extreme" amounts of methane from a natural gas pipeline running through its northern border state, Durango, in 2019, a research paper published on Tuesday showed, citing data collected from satellites.

Congo LNG Project Boosts Drive for Viable Gas Economy

(P&GJ) — The Republic of Congo is among the African countries making progress in harnessing natural gas for export as LNG, as well as meeting the energy demands of an increasing population — now estimated at 6 million — and expanding its installed electricity capacity of 600 MW by 2018.

Natural Gas’ Sleeping Giant Explores Its Possibilities

(P&GJ) — Africa is a land full of promise, blessed with abundant resources and huge untapped potential in human capital. And when it comes to natural gas, the country’s gas reserves in 2021 were estimated at 625.6 Tcf, which is nearly equivalent to that of the United States.

Looking Back at the Biggest Pipeline Stories of 2023

(P&GJ) – In this final issue of P&GJ for 2023, the staff – with more than a little help from our readers – takes a look back at the sometimes chaotic year in midstream that was 2023.

Imperial Oil Forecasts 2024 Production Surge Amidst Pipeline Expansion

The Canadian Association of Energy Contractors expects companies to drill 8% more wells in 2024 to take advantage of greater access to pipelines.

Venezuela's PDVSA, Spain's Repsol Agree to Revive Oil Joint Venture

Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA and joint venture partner Repsol on Monday signed an agreement amending the original terms of a project in the country, aiming to revive its crude and gas output.

Santos Advances Barossa Gas Project with Drilling Nod, Pipeline Fate Entangled in Legal Dispute

Australian oil and gas major Santos said on Monday it had received approval for a revised drilling plan at its $4.3 billion Barossa gas project, although the fate of a pipeline to take gas to shore remains locked in a legal dispute.

BlackRock Ends Talks with Exxon for Italy LNG Terminal Sale, Vitol Still in the Race

Asset manager BlackRock Inc. has bowed out of talks to acquire ExxonMobil Corp.'s majority stake in Italy's main LNG import terminal, three people with knowledge of the matter said.

CNX Resources Pulls Out of Adams Fork Ammonia Project

CNX Resources said on Friday it had pulled out of the Adams Fork ammonia project and is evaluating several alternative sites in southern West Virginia for clean hydrogen projects.

BP Restarts Pipeline After Gasoline Spill in Washington State

The pipeline was restarted following repairs, integrity testing, and regulatory approval of the restart plan, the source said. The company has been cleaning up the spill since Sunday with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and local officials.

Tokyo Gas to Acquire Gas Producer Rockcliff Energy for $2.7 Billion

With the acquisition, Tokyo Gas' natural gas production will quadruple to 1.3 Bcf/d from about 330 MMcf/d, making it one of the largest shale gas producers in Texas and Louisiana, according to Tokyo Gas.

Trans Mountain Pipeline Warns of 2-Year Delay Over Regulatory Setback

Canadian government-owned Trans Mountain Corp. asked the country's energy regulator on Thursday to reverse a decision rejecting proposed construction changes on its oil pipeline expansion, warning of a possibly "catastrophic" two-year delay and billions of dollars in losses.

Creating Efficiencies with Turn-Key Integrity Solutions

(P&GJ) — As countries around the globe work to reduce emissions, the transition from coal to natural gas is an important step that many pipeline operators are pursuing, as part of their strategy to meet emission targets and move to lower carbon energy sources.

Freeport LNG Settles with EPA Over Safety Failures Following June 2022 Texas Blast

Freeport LNG, which operates the second-largest U.S. liquefied natural gas export plant in Texas, agreed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to settle safety violations related to a June 2022 blast that caused some $275 million in damage to the facility.

U.S. Allocates Up to $890 Million for Carbon Capture Projects at Gas Facilities in Texas, California

Natural gas and coal plants in Texas, California and North Dakota will share up to $890 million in U.S. funding for projects to demonstrate the viability of carbon capture technologies, the U.S. Energy Department said on Thursday.

Shell's Gas Project License Talks with Venezuela Hinge on Dispute Over Future LNG Prices

A disagreement between Shell and Venezuela's state company PDVSA over future LNG prices has gridlocked talks on a license for Shell and Trinidad and Tobago's National Gas Company to operate a Venezuelan gas field, two people close to the negotiations said.

Germany's SEFE Urgently Seeks U.S. Approval for Venture Global's CP2 LNG Project Amidst Russia Gas Pipeline Crisis

The German state-owned Securing Energy for Europe GmbH (SEFE) has become the third company to seek approval from the U.S. energy regulator for liquefied natural gas (LNG) developer Venture Global to begin construction on its CP2 LNG project in Louisiana.

U.K. to Back 11 Green Hydrogen Projects Under $2.5 Billion Fund

Britain's Energy Security Secretary, Claire Coutinho, announced on Thursday backing 11 projects to produce green hydrogen, as part of the government's 2 billion pound ($2.5 billion) funding to be committed over the next 15 years.

Pembina Pipeline Acquires Enbridge's Interests in Alliance Pipeline, Aux Sable for $3.1 Billion

(P&GJ) — Enbridge Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its 50% interest in Alliance Pipeline and its 42.7% interest in Aux Sable to Pembina Pipeline Corp. for a purchase price of $3.1 billion, including non-recourse debt at Alliance of approximately $0.3 billion.

Kinder Morgan Increases Permian Highway Pipeline Capacity by 550 MMcf/d

(P&GJ) — Pipeline operator Kinder Morgan has successfully augmented the capacity of its Permian Highway natural gas pipeline by an additional 550 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d), CEO Kimberly Dang announced during an investor call Dec. 7.

Chevron, PDVSA Seek 15-Year Extension for Joint Ventures, Eye Crude Production Boost

PDVSA and Chevron have expanded operations since late last year under a special U.S. license, allowing Venezuela to resume crude exports to what was its largest market, the United States. But more investment is needed to reach production levels seen before oil sanctions were first imposed in 2019.

Howard Energy Partners Completes $800 Million in 2023 Growth Projects, Achieves Record Volumes

(P&GJ) — Howard Energy Partners completed $800 million in 2023 growth projects, including new pipelines and facilities in key U.S. oil and gas basins, along with storage and logistics for renewable diesel on the Texas Gulf Coast.

BP's Olympic Pipeline Leaks Over 25,000 Gallons of Gas in Washington State

(P&GJ) — Emergency teams worked to address a gasoline spill in northwest Washington State on Dec. 12 after a pipeline segment failed over the weekend that released approximately 25,660 gallons (97,100 liters) of gasoline due to a small tube malfunction.

NIPSCO Completes $180 Million Gas Pipeline Extension in Kokomo, Indiana

(P&GJ) — NIPSCO has announced the completion of the installation of nearly 19 miles of new 24-inch steel gas pipeline. This pipeline will service the new battery plant in Kokomo, Indiana, providing a safe and reliable source of natural gas for the future.