North America

Analysis: Surging U.S. Crude Oil Exports Disrupt European, Asian Prices

Surging U.S. crude exports in 2023 are pushing down oil prices in Europe and Asia, proving a key source of supply as producers cut output and sanctions on Russian crude disrupt trade flows.

EIA: U.S. Natural Gas Exports to Mexico Hit Monthly Record in June

U.S. natural gas pipeline exports to Mexico averaged around a record of 6.8 Bcf/d in June, driven by hot weather, which increased demand in Mexico's electric power sector, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Thursday.

Canada Guarantees Up to $2.2 Billion in Fresh Loans to Trans Mountain Expansion Project

A Canadian government agency has guaranteed fresh commercial loans of up to $2.2 billion to the controversial Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project that has suffered repeated cost overruns.

Trans Mountain Expansion Project to Start Filling Pipeline This Fall

The Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX) project is expected to call on oil producers to start filling the pipeline as soon as this month, the president of major shipper Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. said on Thursday.

ConocoPhillips Signs 20-Year LNG Supply Deals with Mexico Pacific

ConocoPhillips has signed 20-year deals to receive a collective 2.2 million tons of LNG a year from Mexico Pacific's Saguaro export facility, the U.S. oil and gas producer said on Thursday.

Pipeline Operator Williams Companies Beats Q2 Profit Estimates on Higher Natural Gas Volumes

Williams Companies, a pipeline operator, exceeded second-quarter profit estimates driven by increased natural gas transportation volumes and benefits from certain acquisitions.

Wood Completes FEED Studies for 2,000 Miles of Low Carbon Pipeline Projects in North America

(P&GJ) — Wood has announced that it is delivering concept and front-end engineering and design (FEED) studies for nearly 2,000 miles of onshore low-carbon pipelines in North America.

Strathcona to Acquire Rival Pipestone Energy, Forming Canada's 5th-Biggest Oil Company

Canadian oil producer Strathcona Resources on Tuesday said it will go public by acquiring smaller rival Pipestone Energy Corp. in an all-stock deal to create a combined business with a market capitalization of $6.49 billion.

Pipeline Operator TC Energy Plans to Complete Coastal GasLink Pipeline This Year

TC Energy's surprise plan to split the company last week accelerated a stock selloff. Still, shareholders bet the North American pipeline operator will finish the year on a higher note by completing the 670-km (416-mile) Coastal GasLink pipeline.

Enterprise Starts New Texas NGL Fractionator, Adding 150,000 bpd of Capacity

(P&GJ) — Enterprise Products Partners LP has announced the start of service at its 12th natural gas liquids (NGL) fractionator in Chambers County, Texas, adding an incremental 150,000 barrels per day (bpd) of nameplate capacity.

Government of Alberta Commits $50 Million to Advance Hydrogen Innovation Projects

(P&GJ) — The Government of Alberta has announced $50 million in funding to support researchers, innovations, companies and the industry to develop technologies that are critical to advancing Alberta’s hydrogen roadmap and natural gas strategy.

Restart Delayed at Texas Coal Unit Linked to Petra Nova CCS Project

The coal unit had hosted the $1 billion Petra Nova carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) plant, which sent the carbon dioxide gas about 80 miles (130 km) by pipeline, where it was pumped into an aging oilfield to boost output, a technique known as enhanced oil recovery.

Equitrans to Begin Construction on Ohio Valley Connector Expansion Project

(P&GJ) — On Monday, FERC issued the Notice to Proceed, signaling Equitrans' imminent commencement of construction. The expansion project is designed to enhance deliverability on its Ohio Valley Connector pipeline, bolstering its capacity by approximately 350 MMcf/d.

Equitrans' 303-Mile Mountain Valley Pipeline on Track to Be Completed by Year-End 2023

U.S. energy company Equitrans Midstream on Tuesday said it still expects to complete the Mountain Valley natural gas pipeline by the end of the year despite being tangled in numerous court fights since construction began in 2018.

SwRI Tapping into Geothermal Energy Possibilities in Texas

(P&GJ) — Electric power generates the second-largest share of greenhouse gas emissions and includes emissions from electricity production used by end use sectors, such as industry. Nearly 80% of electricity in the U.S. comes from burning fossil fuels, mostly coal and natural gas.

Pipeline Companies to Pay $12.5 Million in Penalties After Spills in Montana, North Dakota

Belle Fourche Pipeline Company and Bridger Pipeline LLC that own and operate a network of crude oil pipelines in Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming have together agreed to pay a $12.5 million civil penalty relating to oil spills.

TC Energy Begins Re-Pressurizing Unaffected Pipeline Section in Virginia

Canada's TC Energy began re-pressurizing part of its Columbia Gas Transmission Pipeline in Strasburg, Virginia that was not directly impacted by an unplanned incident last week, the company said late on Friday.

Enbridge Fixing Minnesota Aquifer Breach Related to Oil Pipeline Construction

Enbridge Inc. on Friday said it was working to fix an aquifer breach in rural Minnesota related to the construction of its Line 3 oil pipeline replacement project, which was completed in 2021 and carries Canadian crude to U.S. refineries.

TC Energy to Spin Off Oil Pipeline Business, Focus on Natural Gas

North American pipeline company TC Energy, which has been seeking to sell assets and cut debt, said on Thursday it would spin off its oil pipeline business and focus on transporting natural gas, saying the businesses would be more valuable apart.

Shell Expects Venture Global LNG Supply Deal to Be Honored, CEO Says

Top LNG trader Shell expects its agreement with Venture Global LNG to supply liquefied natural gas to be honored, but does not see this happening at the moment, CEO Wael Sawan said on Thursday.

Mitsubishi Power Delivers Hydrogen-Ready Gas Turbines to Utah Project

(P&GJ) — Mitsubishi Power Americas has delivered two M501JAC advanced-class gas turbines to the Intermountain Power Project (IPP) Renewed project in Delta, Utah. A pipeline from the ACES Delta hub will feed the IPP Renewed project with hydrogen to operate the J-Class turbines.

Supreme Court Approves Completion of 303-Mile Mountain Valley Gas Pipeline

The justices granted Mountain Valley Pipeline LLC's request to lift stays imposed by a lower court that had halted construction of a final short section of the 303-mile (488-km) natural gas pipeline. That section is a 3.5-mile (5.6-km) corridor through the federally owned Jefferson National Forest.

EQT in Deal with Energy Transfer Louisiana Lake Charles LNG Export Plant

EQT, the biggest U.S. natural gas producer, entered into an LNG agreement with U.S. energy firm Energy Transfer's proposed Lake Charles LNG export plant in Louisiana.

Maryland Cove Point LNG Feedgas Drops After TC Energy’s Gas Pipe Explodes in Virginia

The shutdown of part of Canadian energy company TC Energy's Columbia Gas Transmission Pipeline in Virginia after a fire on Tuesday has reduced the amount of gas flowing to the Cove Point LNG export plant in Maryland, the plant told customers.

Black Bear's AlaTenn Pipeline Commences Gas Deliveries to New Power Plant Units

(P&GJ) — Black Bear's AlaTenn pipeline system has started delivering natural gas supply for the commissioning of three new natural gas-fueled power plant units in Alabama’s Colbert County.

Australian Firm FFI Dives into U.S. Market with Phoenix Hydrogen Hub Acquisition

(P&GJ) — Australian green hydrogen developer Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) has made its first move into the U.S. market by purchasing the Phoenix Hydrogen Hub (PHH) project in Buckeye, Arizona, from fuel-cell truck manufacturer Nikola for $24 million.

TC Energy's Columbia Gas Pipeline Explodes Near Virginia's Interstate 81

(P&GJ) — A gas line explosion occurred near Strasburg, Virginia, in rural western Virginia, not far from Interstate 81. The incident took place on Tuesday morning and was promptly responded to by local officials, according to The Associated Press.

U.S. Oil M&A Jumps as Private Equity Unloads Shale Assets

U.S. oil and gas deals rebounded in the second quarter as private equity firms shed shale portfolio investments and publicly traded oil firms grabbed smaller rivals.

Canada Releases Framework to Phase Out Inefficient Fossil Fuel Subsidies

Climate policy analysts said the framework was an important step forward but fell short in continuing to allow government support for oil and gas projects that plan to reduce emissions through technologies such as carbon capture and storage (CCS).

US to Spend $700 Million for Oil and Gas Sector to Cut Methane Emissions

The U.S. government will provide up to $700 million in funding to monitor and reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sector, setting aside half of the amount for grants to states, two agencies said on Monday.