North America
Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Review
Kinder Morgan has not met the conditions set by British Columbia for expansion of its Trans Mountain pipeline, according to findings the B.C. environment minister submitted to Canada’s National Energy Board. The original Trans Mountain Pipeline was built in 1953 and continues to operate. Expansion ..
Marcellus Producer Asks Approval of Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline
Chief Oil & Gas LLC, one of the customers supporting Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co. LLC‘s proposed Atlantic Sunrise pipeline, said Marcellus producers are in desperate need and urged FERC to “promptly approve” the project. “The Atlantic Sunrise project is a critical pathway to connect Marcellus..
Siting Permit Awarded for Dakota Access Pipeline
The North Dakota Public Service Commission approved the siting permit for the Dakota Access Pipeline, which has been under review for over a year. The pipeline is to be built by Dakota Access LLC, a subsidiary of Energy Transfer Partners. The 1,134-mile, 30-inch pipeline will connect the Bakken and ..
Iowa Regulators Approve Bakken Pipeline Permit
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The last state permit needed for a pipeline that will carry a half-million barrels of crude oil daily from North Dakota to Illinois was approved Thursday by Iowa utilities regulators, who also gave the Texas-based company authority to use eminent domain for land that property..
Growth in Domestic Natural Gas Production Leads to Development of LNG Export Terminals
The first export shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) produced in the Lower 48 states on February 24 is a milestone reflecting a decade of natural gas production growth that has put the United States in a new position in worldwide energy trade. With the rapid growth of supply from shale gas reso..
Canadian Oil Slammed By Low Prices, Pipeline Woes
Canada has been particularly hit hard during the downturn in oil prices. A major oil-producing country, Canada rode the commodity wave upwards over the past decade, but has suffered from the downturn. The economy briefly dipped into a recession in 2015. Even after growth resumed, Canada’s GDP slowe..
First Oil Flows From Alaska Reserve Set Aside in '23
NUIQSUT, Alaska (AP) — Rising from the edgeless, wind-scoured, snow-covered tundra on Alaska’s North Slope lies a million-pound drilling rig pulling the first commercial oil from a reserve set aside nearly a century ago. ConocoPhillips is the first oil company to draw crude from the National Petrol..
California Wholesale Gasoline Price Falls Before Switch to Summer-Grade Gasoline
The spot price of wholesale gasoline in Los Angeles fell as low as 66 cents per gallon (¢/gal) on February 18, the lowest spot gasoline price in the nation and something that has only occurred on 24 days in the past 10 years. From February 12 to February 23, the Los Angeles spot price for California..
Canadian Oil Production Expected to Increase Despite Lower Prices
Despite lower crude oil prices, EIA expects Canadian oil production to continue increasing through 2017. Canadian oil sands projects that were already under construction when prices began to fall in 2014 and that are expected to begin production in the next two years are the main driver of productio..
Struggling Eagle Ford Still the Sweet Spot
If development in Eagle Ford from 2008 to 2014 felt like a drag racer flying down the track, then 2015 must have felt like skidding to a halt. This year will be like hitting a brick wall − or a shale wall, but it’s a wall that will eventually be torn down. For now, though, the bad news keeps piling..
Canada’s Energy Industry, Part I: Changing Times, Shifting Opportunities
To feel the winds of change from the global crash of crude oil prices in 2015, go no farther away than Canada, the world’s fifth-largest energy-producing nation. On the verge of a transformation before the commodity price nosedive, the U.S. northern neighbor is even more unsettled as global and Nor..
Canada to Step Up Climate Scrutiny on Oil Pipelines
The Canadian government is set to impose stricter criteria for evaluating major energy infrastructure projects like oil and gas pipelines or liquefied natural gas export terminals. The federal government is reportedly planning on adding a “climate test” for proposed projects, an extra hurdle for la..
Crowds Attack Mexico Pipelines, Steal Diesel with Buckets
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Rebellious crowds of townspeople in a rural area in central Mexico are defying police and soldiers to steal diesel from illegally tapped pipelines, creating what officials call an imminent threat of tragedies like fires that have burned dozens of people at other sites in Mexico. ..
U.S. Production to Fall to 8.1 MMbpd by Year End, Genscape Says
With sustained weakness in crude prices and oil rigs at the lowest level since the economic crisis of 2008, production in the United States is set to see significant year-over-year declines. U.S. production for the year peaked at 9.6 MMbpd in April and declined to 9.2 MMbpd by December. Industry..
P&GJ’s 2016 Worldwide Construction Report
P&GJ’s 2016 survey figures indicate 94,799 miles of pipelines are planned and under construction worldwide. Of these, 49,848 miles represent projects in the engineering and design phase; 44,951 miles are in various stages of construction. Following is a list of new and planned pipeline miles in the..
Financial Expert High on Mexico’s Potential
For an expert’s perspective on Mexico’s expansive Energy Reform effort, P&GJ interviewed Richard Ennis, managing director, ING Capital. P&GJ: Why did President Enrique Peña Nieto institute the Energy Reform program? Enrique Enni..
Mexico: An Expanding Market for Infrastructure, but Dependent on Reforms
A consultant in his native Mexico, Arturo Palacios is more than willing to share his considerable views on what’s going on in his nation, but he also suggests that anyone in the U.S. energy sector wanting to do business south of the border should do their homework. He can suggest websites, governme..
TransCanada to Build, Own and Operate Mexican Pipeline
TransCanada Corp. has been chosen to build, own and operate the Tuxpan-Tula Pipeline in Mexico. Construction of the pipeline is supported by a 25-year natural gas transportation service contract with the Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE), Mexico’s state-owned power company. TransCanada expects..
Europe Cries Foul over German's Support of Russia's Gas Pipeline
Ther is a growing chorus in Europe against Germany’s support to expand a major natural gas pipeline from Russia over fears that it will leave Europe more dependent on their eastern neighbor. The Nord Stream 2 would build on the existing Nord Stream pipeline, a conduit that delivers Russian natural gas to Germany via the Baltic Sea. Crucially, the project cuts out Ukraine, a key strategic objective for Russia since the original project’s inception.
Mexico Oil Sector Sees Most Successful Auction So Far
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico's third auction to open oil and gas blocks to private investment was the most successful yet, with all 25 blocks drawing bids Tuesday. Officials awarded exploration and production rights to mostly Mexican companies, as well as one Canadian firm plus consortiums involving U.S. and Dutch investments. No major multinational oil companies participated in the bidding.
Fuel Thefts from Mexican Pipelines Rise 55% Despite Pemex Efforts
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Authorities say illegal taps drilled into government pipelines by fuel thieves have risen by about 55% this year, reaching almost 500 per month. Fuel theft is skyrocketing despite efforts by the Pemex oil company to make it less attractive, by shipping fuel that lacks final additives through some pipelines. According to government figures made public Monday, 3,286 clandestine taps were found in the first 11 months of 2014, compared to 5,091 in the same period of 2015. The thefts averaged 497 taps in the last five months of 2015.
Why Texans Might Soon Be Driving On Mexican Gasoline
The world is changing fast in the energy industry and for no company is that truer than Mexican National Oil Company Pemex. After decades of bloated operations and mismanagement, Pemex has made major moves to improve its operations and attract foreign investors to the Mexican energy sector. This is a major piece of the current administration’s plan to modernize and improve the efficiency of the state-dominated oil sector and simultaneously give a much needed boost to the Mexican economy. Unfortunately oil markets are not cooperating.
Judge Rejects Bid to Block Alberta Clipper Pipeline Upgrade
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A federal judge rejected the key parts of a lawsuit brought by tribal and environmental groups that sought to block a capacity expansion on the Alberta Clipper crude oil pipeline, saying the courts don't have the authority to intervene at this stage. U.S. District Judge Michael Davis concluded Wednesday that the letters the State Department sent to Canadian-based Enbridge Energy weren't the kinds of final decisions that courts have jurisdiction to review.
Oil Sands Producers Can Live with Albertas New Carbon Taxes
If business is good at anything, it is pragmatism. Take a hostile takeover for example. After weeks or months of trading insults and accusations in and out of the media, a deal is struck and the warring CEO’s shake hands and call the final deal a stroke of genius. Whatever they may really feel, they put the past behind them and move forward, ostensibly in the best interests of shareholders. After all, it’s just business.
Montney shale patch flying below the radar
You really know business is tough when success is measured by suffering less than others. But so it goes as the North American oilpatch enters its second year of a precipitous downturn caused by OPEC deciding to no longer support global oil prices by restraining production at its Nov. 27, 2014 meeting.
Prince Rupert Project Receives Construction/Operation Permits
TransCanada has final permits from the BC Oil and Gas Commission (BCOGC), giving regulatory approval for construction and operation of the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission pipeline project (PRGT). “Receiving the full complement of 11 pipeline and facility permits is a major milestone for the project, and concludes an exhaustive regulatory process that we embarked on more than two years ago,” said Tony Palmer, PRGT president.
U.S. High Court Rejects Mexican States' Lawsuit over Gulf Spill
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court won't hear an appeal from three Mexican states seeking damages from BP and other companies over the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The justices on Monday let stand a lower court ruling that said the states of Veracruz, Tamaulipas and Quintana Roo can't bring a lawsuit because Mexico's federal government owns the affected property. The Mexican federal government filed a similar lawsuit in 2013, which is progressing through the court system.
Passenger Travel Accounts for Most of World Transportation Energy Use
The transportation of people and goods accounts for about 25% of all energy consumption in the world. Passenger transportation, in particular light-duty vehicles, accounts for most transportation energy consumption – light-duty vehicles alone consume more than all freight modes of transportation, such as heavy trucks, marine, and rail.
TransCanadas New Contracts Lead to $570 Million NGTL System Expansion
In the aftermath of the Keystone XL decision, TransCanada announced its subsidiary, NOVA Gas Transmission (NGTL) has signed contracts for 2.7 Bcf/d of new firm natural gas transportation service that will require a $570 million system expansion for 2018. Significant growth in unconventional natural gas supplies in northwestern Alberta and northeastern British Columbia are the primary driver for these new contracts, coupled with continued growth in market demand, the company said.
As Total US Crude Imports Fall, Canadas Import Supply Share Rises
Although overall U.S. crude oil imports have been declining since 2005, crude oil imports from Canada have been increasing. As of August, Canada provided 45% of all crude oil imports to the United States, almost three times as much as all Persian Gulf countries combined.
- 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
- Valero Considers All Options, Including Sale, for California Refineries Amid Regulatory Pressure
- U.S. Appeals Court Blocks Kinder Morgan’s Tennessee Pipeline Permits
- Malaysia’s Oil Exports to China Surge Amid Broader Import Decline
- U.S. LNG Export Growth Faces Uncertainty as Trump’s Tariff Proposal Looms, Analysts Say
- Marathon Oil to Lay Off Over 500 Texas Workers Ahead of ConocoPhillips Merger
- Valero Considers All Options, Including Sale, for California Refineries Amid Regulatory Pressure
