North America

U.S. Purchases 2.1 Million Barrels for Strategic Reserve, Below 2022 Average Price

The U.S. bought 2.1 million barrels of crude oil, the Energy Department said on Tuesday, to help replenish the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) after the largest sale in history last year.

FERC Approves $1.2 Billion PJM Settlement for Outages During 2022 Storm

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on Tuesday approved a $1.2 billion settlement between PJM Interconnection and more than 80 parties that resolved complaints stemming from a massive outage during a 2022 winter storm.

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.

EIA: U.S. Shale Output Expected to Fall in January

U.S. oil output from top shale-producing regions is set to decline in January for the third consecutive month, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said in its monthly Drilling Productivity Report on Monday.

Crude Stocks at Top U.S. Storage Hub Rebuild After Nearing Tank Bottoms

Oil inventories at the top U.S. storage hub rebounded last month after nearing operational lows, thanks to improved pricing at the hub that pulled in barrels from Texas' Permian basin and higher Canadian crude flows, analysts 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.

Climate-Tech Firm Climeworks to Sell Carbon Credits to BCG

It is an important step toward building credibility for the nascent direct air capture (DAC) industry - which uses minerals and chemicals to suck carbon dioxide out of the air - as it ramps up commitments that will help it attract new funds for expansion.

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.

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.

Canadian Natural Resources Projects Uptick in Production in 2024

Canadian Natural Resources said on Thursday it expects production to increase in 2024, as the energy producer bets on demand amid tight supplies.

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.

Exolum to Acquire 50% Stake in Houston Ammonia, NGL Storage Terminal from Moda Midstream

Exolum has agreed to acquire a 50% interest in Vopak Moda Houston LLC, an ammonia storage, import and export terminal located on the Houston Ship Channel, from Moda Midstream LLC.

Gas Producer EQT Explores $3 Billion Sale of Marcellus Shale Well Stakes

The stakes EQT is planning to sell are in assets spread across Northeast Pennsylvania with current production of around 700 million cubic feet per day, the sources said.

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.

EIA Forecasts 20 Bcf/d Boost for U.S. LNG Export Terminals with New Pipelines

More than 20.0 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of natural gas pipeline capacity is under construction, partly completed, or approved to deliver natural gas to five U.S. LNG export terminals that are currently under construction, according to the EIA.

BP Takes On FERC, Alleges Approval Flaws for Venture Global LNG Plant

BP Plc has challenged U.S. energy regulators' approvals of a Venture Global LNG export facility, arguing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has failed to enforce its regulations, according to a letter filed with FERC on Monday.

WoodMac: M&A Deals in Permian Basin Exceed $100 Billion in 2023

The value of U.S. oil and gas mergers and acquisitions in the Permian basin this year has reached a record of more than $100 billion after several multibillion-dollar deals, consultancy Wood Mackenzie said in a news release on Tuesday.

Glenfarne's Texas LNG, ABB Ink Deal for Core Equipment in Port of Brownsville Project

(P&GJ) — Texas LNG, a four million tonnes per annum LNG export terminal to be constructed in the Port of Brownsville, and ABB have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on core automation and electrical equipment for the new facility.

LNG Developer Tellurian Names New President as Shakeup Continues

Tellurian said on Monday it appointed a new president and general counsel, days after the U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) developer ousted co-founder Charif Souki as chairman.

Oil Extends Gains on U.S. Strategic Reserve Purchase

Oil prices inched higher on Monday, extending gains for a second session as U.S. efforts to replenish strategic reserves provided some support, although concerns of crude oversupply and softer fuel demand growth next year lingered.

TC Energy's Coastal GasLink Seeks $737 Million from Contractor Over Project Delays

Coastal GasLink, a Canadian natural gas pipeline partnership operated by TC Energy, is seeking C$1.2 billion ($737 million) from one of its main contractors for construction delays and may be liable for a similar amount if an arbitrator rules against it, court documents showed ahead of a hearing this month.