Operations
Plains All American Agrees to Pay $73 Million to Settle California Oil Spill Lawsuit
The spill occurred after a pipeline, which ran across California's coastline, ruptured and spilled an estimated 126,000 gallons of oil into the ocean and on the beaches.
Pipeline Explosion at PDVSA Facility in Venezuela’s Monagas Region Causes Injuries
A pipeline explosion at a natural gas complex in Venezuela’s eastern Monagas state has left several people injured, causing outages and halting operations. The blast, which resulted in a fire, damaged pipelines and equipment at the PDVSA-operated facility.
Freeport LNG Sets New Gas-Processing Record After Plant Overhaul
Freeport LNG drew record natural gas volumes on several days this week, according to financial firm LSEG, following completion of an overhaul that increased processing capacity.
Port Freeport Remains Open Amid Rough Seas; Inbound Boarding Temporarily Suspended by Brazos Pilots
Port Freeport in Texas has closed to inbound vessel traffic due to offshore conditions as Tropical Storm Rafael approaches, with the storm expected to reach near-hurricane strength by Tuesday night.
Freeport LNG Reports Temporary Shutdown at Texas Facility Due to Power Fluctuation
Freeport LNG reported on Monday that three LNG processing trains at its Quintana, Texas, facility were back online after temporary outages that began on Friday because of a power feed interruption.
Another Major U.S. Oil Refinery Shutting Down as Lyondell Confirms Houston Closure
LyondellBasell Industries plans to permanently close its 263,776 bpd Houston refinery in early 2025, citing long-term shifts in fuel demand amid rising renewable energy and electric vehicle adoption. The closure adds to a wave of U.S. refinery shutdowns as the industry adapts to changing market conditions.
Canadian Natural Cuts Gas Drilling Targets as Prices Slide
Canadian Natural Resources will reduce natural gas drilling in 2024 as weak prices persist, despite stronger-than-expected third-quarter profits driven by oil sands production.
Cheniere Boosts Annual Forecast as Corpus Christi LNG Project Nears Start
Cheniere Energy raised its annual profit forecast, citing strong demand for LNG and progress on its Corpus Christi expansion, expected to boost output by year-end. The top U.S. LNG exporter also reported increased third-quarter exports and higher spot prices in Asia, fueling its outlook for continued growth in global LNG markets.
Ecopetrol Halts Pipeline Operations Following Explosive Attack and Oil Spill
Ecopetrol has halted operations on a pipeline transporting oil from the Cira Infantas field in Colombia after an explosive attack caused an oil spill. While no injuries were reported, the incident has resulted in environmental damage, highlighting the ongoing threats to oil operations in the region.
Valero Considers All Options, Including Sale, for California Refineries Amid Regulatory Pressure
Valero Energy Corp. is evaluating various options for its two California refineries, including potential sales, in response to increasing regulatory pressures in the state. CEO Lane Riggs indicated that "all options are on the table," highlighting the challenges faced by refiners in California.
Marathon Oil to Lay Off Over 500 Texas Workers Ahead of ConocoPhillips Merger
Marathon Oil plans to lay off over 500 workers in Texas as it prepares for its acquisition by ConocoPhillips. The merger, valued at $22.5 billion, is awaiting regulatory approval and is expected to close in late 2024.
EQT Sells Remaining Pennsylvania Natural Gas Assets to Equinor for $1.25 Billion
EQT Corp. has agreed to sell its remaining Pennsylvania natural gas assets to Equinor for $1.25 billion, with proceeds aimed at reducing debt following its recent pipeline acquisition. The transaction also expands Equinor’s U.S. production footprint in the Marcellus shale.
Phillips 66 Q3 Profit Surges on Midstream and Chemicals Growth
Phillips 66 reported a third-quarter profit surge, driven by strong performance in its midstream and chemicals segments, which helped offset lower refining margins amid softer fuel demand.
Ecuador Government to Take Over Crude Pipeline from OCP Ecuador Until New Tender Launched
Ecuador's government will take over operations on a heavy crude oil pipeline from OCP Ecuador until a fresh tender is launched, the nation's energy and mines energy said.
U.S. Allocates $196 Million for Natural Gas Pipeline Modernization
The funding, part of President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will support 60 projects aimed at enhancing safety, reducing environmental harm, and lowering energy costs by replacing leak-prone pipelines.
Heavily Corroded Half-Mile Oil Pipeline Restored with Composite Wrap
An underground oil pipeline at a Refinery in Spain was suffering from severe corrosion. If left unchecked, the pipeline, 2,860.8 feet (872 meters) in length, would have incurred severe metal loss.
Phillips 66 to Shut LA Oil Refinery, Ending Major Gasoline Output Amid Supply Concerns
Phillips 66 will shut down its Los Angeles oil refinery next year, ceasing gasoline and diesel production. The move raises concerns over California’s fuel supply, which already struggles with high prices and limited refinery capacity.
At Least 21 Injured in Fire at Venezuela's La Salina Oil Terminal, Sources Say
At least 21 people, including workers and firefighters, were injured in a fire at Venezuela's La Salina oil terminal. The fire, which broke out during a storm, affected a crude storage tank operated by state oil company PDVSA. Efforts to control the blaze continue as local firefighters face resource shortages.
Workers Sue Pemex Over Injuries from Texas Refinery Gas Leak
Three workers have filed a lawsuit against Mexico's national oil company Pemex for injuries allegedly caused by a hydrogen sulfide gas release at a Deer Park, Texas refinery.
Building a Better Mousetrap for Coating Pipeline Girth Welds
The pursuit of building a better mousetrap can often pay off in big ways in terms of efficiencies. Such a productivity payout was the goal for finding a better solution for coating pipeline girth welds in the field – a solution that would speed up the coating process per weld.
Orlen Withdraws from Polaris CO2 Storage Project in Norway, Citing Low ROI
Initially expected to inject up to 6 million metric tons of CO2 annually, geological assessments revealed a lower capacity, prompting Orlen to explore other carbon capture initiatives while the project owner, Horisont Energi, seeks alternative strategies.
Berkshire Hathaway's Cove Point LNG Back Online After 3-Week Shutdown
Cove Point LNG in Maryland, owned by Berkshire Hathaway Energy, resumed production after a three-week maintenance shutdown. The 0.8-bcf/d facility's restart boosted U.S. gas exports, with gas flows jumping significantly, impacting Henry Hub prices.
Fatal Gas Leak at Pemex’s Texas Refinery Kills 2, Sparks Investigations
A deadly gas leak at Pemex's Texas refinery in Deer Park claimed two lives and injured 35 workers, prompting investigations into the cause. The accident, which released toxic hydrogen sulfide gas, has sparked concerns about safety protocols at the Mexican state-owned refinery.
Federal Court Rejects Four New Pipeline Safety Rules
Not only has the D.C. Federal Court of Appeals upending FERC decisions, but it has also now injected itself into Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) decisions.
Improving Pipeline Stability with Geosynthetic Reinforcement
You probably don’t see pipelines in your daily life, but your standard of living certainly relies on them. Most days, they provide long-distance transportation routes for liquids and gases, usually from wells and refineries to market areas where consumers need them.
Exxon Granted Largest U.S. Offshore Carbon Storage Site in Texas
Exxon Mobil said on Thursday it has acquired state leases for over 271,000 acres in Texas state waters for an offshore carbon dioxide (CO2) capture operation.
Gas Stations Run Dry as Hurricane Milton Approaches; Kinder Morgan Shuts Florida Pipeline
As Hurricane Milton approaches Florida's Gulf Coast, panic-buying has left many gas stations empty, with over 15% out of fuel by midday. In response, Kinder Morgan has shut down its Central Florida Pipeline, disrupting the flow of refined products between Tampa and Orlando as evacuation orders affect over a million residents.
North Dakota Pipeline Authority Reports Wildfire Impact on Oil, Gas Production
The North Dakota Pipeline Authority said on Tuesday oil production is estimated to be down nearly 60,000 to 90,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) due to the ongoing wildfires in the U.S. state.
Occidental’s 1PointFive Wins $36 Million DOE funding for CO2 Sequestration Hubs
1PointFive, a subsidiary of Occidental, has secured $36 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to develop two carbon sequestration hubs in Texas and Louisiana.
Risk Assessment: Comprehensive Review Concerning Rehab Analysis
Risk models are prominent pipeline integrity management (PIM) tools used to make data-driven decisions. As computing power has increased and data acquisition methods have proliferated, risk models have become more complex.
- Energy Transfer Subsidiary Selects KTJV for Lake Charles LNG Export Project
- Phillips 66 to Shut LA Oil Refinery, Ending Major Gasoline Output Amid Supply Concerns
- FERC Sides with Williams in Texas-Louisiana Pipeline Dispute with Energy Transfer
- U.S. Appeals Court Blocks Kinder Morgan’s Tennessee Pipeline Permits
- ConocoPhillips Eyes Sale of $1 Billion Permian Assets Amid Marathon Acquisition
- U.S. LNG Export Growth Faces Uncertainty as Trump’s Tariff Proposal Looms, Analysts Say
- Malaysia’s Oil Exports to China Surge Amid Broader Import Decline
- Four Petroleum Liquids Pipelines Completed in U.S. Since 2023
- Lighter U.S. Permian Crude Risks Losing Favor with Refiners Due to Processing Challenges
- Marathon Oil to Lay Off Over 500 Texas Workers Ahead of ConocoPhillips Merger