North America

Exxon, Qatar Petroleum to Expand LNG Export Plant in Texas

Exxon and Qatar Petroleum announced Tuesday that they will go ahead with a $10 billion project to export liquefied natural gas from a plant on the Texas Gulf Coast. Construction at the Golden Pass plant in Sabine Pass is planned to start before April, with exports expected to begin in 2024.

US Government Appeals Ruling that Blocked Keystone Pipeline

The Trump administration is appealing a court ruling that blocked a construction permit for the 1,184-mile (1,900-km) Keystone XL oil pipeline.

Noble, Apache, Diamondback Affiliates Buy Stakes in EPIC Pipelines

EPIC Midstream announced Monday that Noble Midstream Partners exercised its option for a 30% equity stake in the EPIC Crude Pipeline Project and a 15% equity stake in the EPIC NGL Pipeline. Also Monday, EPIC also said an Altus Midstream subsidiary and Diamondback Energy's Rattler Midstream subsidiary exercised options for 15% and 10%, respectively, in the EPIC Crude Pipeline Project.

Some Companies Losing Hope for U.S. Tariff Exemptions

Pipeline companies and other U.S. steel and aluminum importers who applied for tariff exemptions last year are losing hope for Commerce Department approval, as the recent government shutdown has added to their long wait for a ruling.

Exxon, Plains, Lotus Order Pipe for Wink-to-Webster Project

ExxonMobil, Plains All American Pipeline,and Lotus Midstream formed the Wink-to-Webster Pipeline LLC Joint Venture and have ordered nearly 650 miles of domestically sourced 36-inch line pipe. The new common-carrier pipeline system will provide more than 1 MMbpd of crude oil and condensate capacity and will be constructed from the Permian Basin in West Texas to the Texas Gulf Coast.

Magellan Cancels Plan for Short-Haul Oil Pipeline in West Texas

Magellan Midstream Partners LP has canceled plans to develop a stand-alone crude pipeline West Texas, the area of the nation's top oil field as it considers a lower-cost project for the same region, an executive said.

US Court Stays Ruling Against Dominion Atlantic Coast Pipeline

A U.S. appeals court has stayed a previous court decision against Forest Service permits that allowed Dominion Energy to build the $7 billion Atlantic Coast natural gas pipeline across national forests and the Appalachian Trail.

Mexico's Fuel Thieves Undeterred by Deadly Blast

Days after a fireball erupted near the Mexican town of Tlahuelilpan, killing at least 117 people pilfering gasoline from a pipeline, the area's fuel bandits were back in business.

WBI Energy Expanding Transportation from Bakken

WBI Energy plans to construct 67 miles of new pipeline, compression and ancillary facilities to transport natural gas from core Bakken production areas in western North Dakota to an interconnection point with Northern Border Pipeline.

Exxon OK’s Project to Nearly Double Size of Texas Refinery, Sources Say

After agreeing last year to form a joint venture with Plains All American Pipeline to build a 1 MMbpd oil pipeline to refineries in Baytown and Beaumont, Exxon has given final approval to almost double the capacity of its 365,000 bpd Beaumont refinery.

Global News

Eni’s Indonesia Gas Project may Start Up in 2021   Indonesia’s deputy energy minister said Eni aims to start output of natural gas in 2021 from its offshore Merakes project, which includes construction of subsea systems and pipelines to transport production to a floating production unit (FPU) appro..

PG&E Didn't Cause 2017 Wildfire, but Bankruptcy Still Looms

In a long-awaited report, state investigators say a 2017 wildfire that killed 22 people in Northern California was caused by a private electrical system, not equipment belonging to embattled PG&E.

Shell Falcon Pipeline Gets Important FERC Approval

At least a small measure of celebration likely buzzed through the offices at Shell Pipeline Company when FERC granted a declaratory order for its Falcon Ethane Pipeline System. The 98-mile pipeline is fundamental to the success the company’s $6 billion ethane cracker plant under construction in Pennsylvania.

Tallgrass, Kinder Morgan to Develop Rockies Crude Transportation Service

Tallgrass Energy and Kinder Morgan agreed to jointly develop a solution to increase existing crude oil takeaway capacity in the growing Powder River and Denver-Julesburg basins and to add incremental capacity to the Williston Basin and portions of Western Canada.

Death Toll Reaches 94 in Mexico Fuel Pipeline Fire Horror

People in the town where a gasoline explosion killed at least 94 people say the section of pipeline that gushed fuel has been a habitual gathering site for thieves, repeatedly damaged and patched like a trusty pair of jeans.

Tellurian’s Driftwood LNG Receives FEIS for Export Facility, Pipeline

Tellurian announced U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued the final environmental impact statement for Driftwood LNG, a 27.6 mtpa export facility and an associated 96-mile Driftwood pipeline project, proposed near Lake Charles, La., on the U.S. Gulf Coast.

66 Killed in Mexico Pipeline Blast after Thieves Rupture Line

At least 66 people were killed and dozens were injured or reported missing after a gasoline pipeline was tapped by fuel thieves and exploded in central Mexico Friday, state and federal authorities said.

2019 Global Pipeline Construction Outlook

The upstream sector started the new year on a cautious note following a sharp decline in oil and gas prices, but the midstream sector roared into 2019 on a wave of pipeline construction activity. The latest Pipeline & Gas Journal survey indicates 145,353 miles of pipelines were planned or under construction worldwide at the start of the year.

Mexico City Pipeline Hit by ‘Sabotage’ amid Crackdown

A major fuel pipeline that supplies Mexico City remained closed after two ruptures in a single day, the president said, as the government works to stem shortages that have frustrated motorists and triggered economic risks.

PG&E Board Chair Sees Chapter 11 as ‘Only Viable Option’

Pacific Gas & Electric Co. said this week it will file for bankruptcy, raising concern that rates for electricity and gas will rise and victims of California wildfires who are suing the nation’s largest utility won’t get all the money they may be owed.

TAP Gas Pipeline Completes $4.5 Billion Project Financing

The Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) has completed its $4.5 billion (3.9 billion euros) project financing, paving the way for construction to be completed for start-up in 2020, its managing director said on Friday.

Pipeline Shutdowns Lead to Import Bottlenecks at Mexican Ports

Bottlenecks for offloading imported fuel are forming at some Mexican oil ports following government orders to shut pipelines to limit losses from widespread fuel theft.

WhiteWater Holds Open Season for NM-Texas Pipeline

WhiteWater Midstream commenced a binding open season for a 500,000 MMBtu/d pipeline from multiple points in Eddy County, N.M., to delivery points in northern Culberson County, Texas.

TransCanada to Change Name to TC Energy

TransCanada Corp., the company behind the contentious Keystone XL oil pipeline, is changing its name to TC Energy. If approved by shareholders and regulators, the name change will occur in the second quarter.

Keystone XL Hearing may Proceed Despite Government Shutdown

Justice Department attorneys say the U.S. government shutdown shouldn't delay a court hearing on a judge's decision to halt Keystone XL pipeline construction.

Judge Allows Tribes to Challenge Corps’ Dakota Access Study

A federal judge is allowing four Native American tribes in the Dakotas to challenge the recent conclusion of federal officials that a Dakota Access oil pipeline spill wouldn't unfairly affect them, further prolonging a court case that has lingered for more than two years.

Mexico Offensive Against Fuel Theft Leads to Reduced Use of Pipelines

An offensive by Mexico’s new government against fuel theft at one of the country’s main refineries has led to days of shortages at gas stations in several central states, as authorities move more fuel by tankers and less by vulnerable pipelines.

FERC Commissioner McIntyre Dies of Cancer

Kevin McIntyre, who served briefly as the chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and had been suffering from brain cancer, died on Wednesday. He was 58.

Ecuador President Demands Probe into Infrastructure Projects

Ecuador's President Lenin Moreno asked the country's prosecutor to probe $4.9 billion of pipeline and other oil-related infrastructure projects, alleging that money was looted during the decade-long tenure of his predecessor.

SoCalGas Asks Customers to Reduce Use, Cites Limits on Pipelines

Southern California’s gas utility extended its request for consumers to reduce natural gas use through the weekend, to avoid straining the system as cold weather lingers over the area.