Infrastructure

US Envoy Warns Sanctions Still on Table Against Nord Stream 2

The United States could yet impose new sanctions to try to block construction of the Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline across the Baltic Sea to the European Union, the U.S. ambassador to the EU said.

Colombia’s Cano Limon Pipeline Hit by 3 More Bombings

Colombian state-run oil company Ecopetrol said on Tuesday that three new bombings of the 485-mile Cano Limon pipeline have caused contamination in several waterways in the country’s northeastern Arauca province.

Anadarko Selling Pipeline, Storage Assets

Anadarko said it will sell “substantially all of its remaining midstream assets” for $4 billion to Western Gas Partners in a move the company said will result in a simplified midstream structure. The sale is expected to close in the first quarter of 2019.

Another Keystone XL Setback: Environmental Study Ordered

Environmentalists cheered a federal court order that blocks a Trump administration permit for the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, pending an environmental review.

EnLink Midstream Holding Open Season for Cajun-Sibon Expansion

EnLink Midstream launched a binding open season for expansion capacity volume commitments on its existing Cajun-Sibon natural gas liquids pipeline system. The expansion will increase takeaway from the Mont Belvieu NGL hub to the company’s Louisiana fractionation plants and is expected to be operational during the second quarter of 2019.

TransCanada Eyes Joint Ventures, Sales to Fund Keystone XL

Canadian pipeline operator TransCanada Corp said it is eyeing joint ventures and asset sales, among other options, to finance the construction of its $8 billion Keystone XL crude oil pipeline.

Feds Open Criminal Probe into Natural Gas Explosions

Federal prosecutors are conducting a criminal investigation into the natural gas explosions and fires that rocked three communities north of Boston in September.

Nearly 36 Miles of Pipeline Replaced after Mass. Gas Explosions

NiSource subsidiary Columbia Gas said it has replaced nearly 36 miles of main pipeline in the area of last month's explosions and fires near Boston.

Funding Secured for Construction of Permian-to-Gulf Oil Pipeline

Midstream company Jupiter secured a funding commitment from Charon System Advisors that would enable it to build the 1MMbpd capacity Jupiter Pipeline from the Permian Basin to the Port of Brownsville, Texas.

Tallgrass, Silver Creek Expand Powder River Venture

Tallgrass Energy and Silver Creek Midstream have agreed to expand their Powder River Basin joint venture to transport crude oil production from the Powder River Basin to Guernsey, Wyoming.

Company Gauges Interest for Boosting Dakota Access Capacity

The developer of the Dakota Access pipeline is gauging shippers’ interest in a possible expansion of the volume of crude oil moved through the pipeline from 500,000 bpd to 570,000 bpd, despite ongoing tribal efforts to shut the pipeline down.

Nigeria Pipeline Explodes, Killing 19; Oil Thieves Suspected Cause

A Nigerian official says at least 19 people are dead after a leaking oil pipeline exploded in the southeast, while villagers say the toll is higher.

Regulator Ties Pipeline Work to Deadly Massachusetts Gas Explosion

A NiSource Inc. affiliate failed to require contract repair crews to relocate pressure sensors during natural-gas pipeline work, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said on Thursday, resulting in over-pressured lines that caused explosions and fires in three Massachusetts communities last month.

Australian State Slows AGL LNG Import Project with Environment Review

Plans by Australia’s AGL Energy to start importing LNG from 2021 will be delayed after the state of Victoria called for the company and its pipeline partner to submit a full environmental assessment of their project.

Marcellus Producers Lock 100% of Planned Transco Expansion

Demonstrating pent-up takeaway demand for Marcellus Basin natural gas production, Williams' Transco secured binding 15-year commitments for 100% of capacity on its newly proposed Leidy South expansion project

Minnesota Judge Tosses Charges Mid-trial Against 3 Activists

A Minnesota judge abruptly dismissed charges against three climate change activists during their trial, saying prosecutors failed to prove that the protesters’ attempt to shut down two Enbridge Energy oil pipelines caused any damage.

Gas Line Rupture Prompts Evacuation in British Columbia

A natural gas transmission pipeline ruptured in a rural area north of Prince George in the Canadian province of British Columbia, prompting precautionary evacuations, pipeline owner and operator Enbridge said.

Valley Crossing Pipeline to Mexico Gains FERC Extension

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) awarded Enbridge subsidiary Valley Crossing Pipeline six additional months to connect its natural gas pipeline to its counterpart in Mexico, moving the deadline to April 23.

Crude Oil Service to Begin on Epic NGL Pipeline in 2019

Epic Midstream Holdings obtained all required approvals for its subsidiary Epic Crude Oil Pipeline, through a lease arrangement, to begin crude oil service on a portion of the Epic NGL Pipeline, once construction is completed in the third quarter of 2019.

Clogged Pipelines Cut Canada’s Oil Price; Small Producers Shift Strategy

Small Canadian oil producers are striking complex deals with refineries, diversifying production and seeking marketing help as they try to soften the blow from record price discounts on heavy crude generated by pipeline congestion.

Salt Creek, Noble Midstream to Partner on Delaware Basin Project

Salt Creek Midstream and Noble Midstream Partners have agreed to form a joint venture to build a new 200,000 bbl/d crude oil pipeline and gathering system in the Delaware Basin in West Texas.

Canada Won’t Appeal Court Ruling Overturning Pipeline Approval

The Canadian government will not appeal a court ruling that overturned its approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project, Natural Resources Minister Amarjeet Sohi said Wednesday.

Energy Outlook in Northeast US

Despite a decline in energy-intensive industries, New England and the Mid-Atlantic States remain the leading market for power in the United States. Growing shale gas production has encouraging a shift from coal.

Enbridge: Petitions Against Approved Line 3 'Expected'

Line 3 pipeline opponents have petitioned Minnesota to reverse its approval of the replacement project, which Enbridge described as an expected step in the process.

Keystone XL Pipeline Route Would Not Harm Environment: State Dept.

The U.S. State Department on Friday issued an environmental assessment of a revised route for the Keystone XL crude pipeline that concluded it would not harm water or wildlife, clearing a hurdle for the project that has been pending for a decade.

Norway’s Gas Exports Hit Summer High; Pipeline System Sets Record

Norway’s gas exports hit a new high of 36.8 Bcf this summer and the annual deliveries will be on a par with the record annual figure achieved in 2017, gas system operator Gassco said

Strategy Shaped by Volatility

Among major supply factors, deferred maintenance continues to challenge global production. Maintenance is especially critical in basins with aging asset infrastructure, as recently evidenced by the crack in the North Sea Forties pipeline.

Cyprus, Egypt Ready to Sign Deal for Offshore Gas Pipeline

Europe stands to gain from an agreement Egypt is set to sign with the Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus to pipe offshore natural gas to processing plants in the north African country where it will be liquefied for export, Egypt's oil minister said.

Lawsuit FIled Against NiSource, Columbia Gas over Explosions

BOSTON (Reuters) - A resident of a Massachusetts city rocked by last week's deadly gas blasts that damaged dozens of homes sued utility operator NiSource Inc on Tuesday, accusing it of inadequately maintaining its distribution system. The proposed class action lawsuit targets NiSource and its sub..

Insuring Against Liabilities Can Be Tricky

Despite the great overall success of the American energy industry, problems do exist and happen on a near-daily level. While rail accidents occur with more regularity, pipeline spills can actually have more devastating effects.