North America
Global News December 2021
German Regulator Stalls Nord Stream 2, Ida Reduced Gas Production More Than Any Hurricane in Past Decade, Israeli Energy Minister Proposes Ending UAE Pipeline Deal and more are included in this month's global headlines.
A True Chilling Effect
When the Supreme Court refused to stay a lower court decision that vacated a federal permit allowing Spire’s STL pipeline to operate, it opened a door that could threaten natural gas supplies to residents during St. Louis’ notoriously bitter winter.
Michigan Drops Federal Case Against Enbridge Pipeline to Clear Way for State Court Case
The move is a welcome development for Enbridge in one part of the long-running battle over Line 5, but Governor Gretchen Whitmer made it clear she will continue to fight against the 68-year-old oil pipeline.
Enbridge May Face Tougher Fight for Oil Barrels, Lower Rates, After Pipeline Ruling
A Canadian regulator's rejection last week of Enbridge's plan to sell space long-term on the country's biggest oil pipeline dealt the company a double whammy that analysts say could hit its bottom line.
Canada Rejects Enbridge Plan to Sell Oil Pipeline Space Under Contract
The Canada Energy Regulator on Friday rejected Enbridge's plan to sell nearly all space on its Mainline oil pipeline under long-term contracts, rather than rationing it on a monthly basis.
Giant Pipeline in U.S. Midwest Tests Future of Carbon Capture
The 2,000-mile Midwest Carbon Express would be the world's largest carbon dioxide pipeline, moving greenhouse gases from Midwest biofuels plants to store underground in North Dakota. But some landowners don't want it.
Contractors: Western Canada to Boost Drilling to Pre-Pandemic Levels
Western Canadian oil and gas producers will drill 27% more wells in 2022 than the previous year, returning to pre-pandemic levels as prices rebound and pipeline projects advance, the Canadian Association of Energy Contractors (CAOEC) said.
U.S. Energy Secretary: Companies Making Big Profits Should Increase Oil Supply
U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm on Tuesday urged U.S. energy companies to increase oil supply amid "enormous profits," as the Biden administration tries to bring down the price of gasoline.
US to Release Oil from Reserves; OPEC+ Rebuffs Call for More Crude
The United States said on Tuesday it would release millions of barrels of oil from strategic reserves in coordination with China, India, South Korea, Japan and Britain to cool prices after OPEC+ producers repeatedly ignored calls for more crude.
Texas Electric Grid Still Not Ready for Extreme Winter Weather -NERC
The Texas electric grid could suffer a massive shortfall in generating capacity in a winter deep freeze, potentially triggering outages similar to those in February, according to a report on Thursday by an electric reliability authority.
Canadian Police Set to Remove Indigenous Protesters at Site of Disputed Pipeline
Canadian police on Thursday prepared to remove indigenous protesters from the site of TC Energy Corp.'s Coastal GasLink pipeline in British Columbia, a development long opposed by some First Nations groups.
New Natural Gas Capacity Expands Access to Export and Northeast Markets
The EIA estimates more than 4 billion cubic feet per day of new natural gas pipeline capacity entered service in the third quarter of 2021, primarily supplying Gulf Coast and Northeast demand markets.
Pipeline Firms Scramble to Restore Service After British Columbia Floods, Gas Prices Spike
Natural gas customers in British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest are facing reduced supplies after Enbridge shut a segment of its Westcoast pipeline as a precaution, reducing flows to 1.4 b Bcf/d from up to 1.8 Bcf/day.
Canadian Shippers Find Few Easy Alternatives for Grain, Oil Cut Off by Flood
Canadian exporters of commodities from grain to fertilizer and oil scrambled on Wednesday to divert shipments away from Port of Vancouver, which floods have isolated, but they found few easy alternatives.
US Wants NatGas/Power Coordination to Prevent Another Feb Freeze
U.S. power reliability regulators recommended electric grids strengthen cold weather rules and coordinate with the natural gas industry to prevent a recurrence of the February freeze that left millions in Texas without power for days.
Ironwood Midstream Expanding Footprint in Eagle Ford Region of South Texas
The Ironwood II leadership team assumed management of Nuevo Midstream assets, including about 100 miles of crude oil gathering pipeline in Lavaca, Gonzalez, and Fayette counties.
Canada's Trans Mountain Oil Pipeline Shut Down Due to British Columbia Storms
Canada's Trans Mountain oil pipeline has been shut down temporarily because of rainstorms pounding parts of the province of British Columbia, the operating company said in a statement on Monday.
As Energy Prices Soar, Supply Chain Snags Threaten US Oil Output Gains
Firms that convert pipeline compressor stations to run on electric motors instead of natural gas are finding parts in short supply, said energy consultant Spears.
Canadian Indigenous Group Ordered Workers Off Coastal GasLink Pipeline Site
An indigenous group in the Canadian Pacific province of British Columbia says it has ordered workers to leave the site of TC Energy's Coastal GasLink pipeline, the latest step in a protracted dispute.
Perspective: Moving Away from Fossil Fuels Could Put Canada's Energy Security at Risk
An oil-price drop, coupled with a global economic slowdown, has had adverse effects on other industries, global financial stability and non-oil-producing economies. In other words, no industry or economy is immune to these shocks.
US Natural Gas Consumption to Fall Through 2022, Data Shows
The EIA Short-Term Energy Outlook shows U.S. consumption of natural gas is expected to decline from 2020 levels in all end-use sectors except in the industrial sector and among non-specific users, such as lease and plant fuel, pipeline and distribution use, and vehicle use.
15-Mile Pipeline Provides Path for High-Temp Water from Deep Underground
The Desert Hills pipeline would eventually use approximately 80,000 feet of polyethylene, raised temperature high-density polyethylene PE 4710 pipe to provide E&P companies with a way to dispose of the water.
US Republicans Renew Push to Sanction Nord Stream 2 Pipeline
A group of U.S. Senate Republicans said they introduced legislation that would impose mandatory sanctions on Nord Stream 2, a Russian-backed natural gas pipeline that opponents believe would be harmful to U.S. allies in Europe.
Oil Prices Rise, With Few US Government Brakes Available
Oil prices have soared to seven-year highs as the global economy has recovered, and driven the U.S. retail gasoline cost to $3.42 a gallon, also the highest in seven years.
23rd World Petroleum Congress Unveils United States Program
With the World Petroleum Congress back in the U.S. for the first time in decades, attendees will have a unique opportunity to hear in-depth discussions around specific areas where the U.S. is at the forefront.
Perspective: Would US Oil Reserve Sales Affect Prices Much?
Speculation is growing the Biden administration could order the release of crude from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to lower oil prices after OPEC+ last week rejected calls to accelerate its output increases.
Canadian Pipeline Companies Enbridge, TC Energy Report Higher Profits
Canada's largest pipeline companies Enbridge Inc. and TC Energy Corp. reported a rise in third quarter profits on Friday, helped by rising demand for oil and gas that boosted pipeline volumes.
Added Transnational Oil Pipeline Capacity Could Reduce Crude Oil Shipped by Rail
Because the Line 3 replacement project increases the capacity to import crude oil by pipeline from Canada, this pipeline could reduce the need to ship crude oil from Canada by other modes, especially rail.
California Looks to Natural Gas to Keep Lights on This Winter
After years of restricting the growth of fossil fuel infrastructure, California is looking to natural gas for power generation this coming winter after drought and wildfires leave the state with few options to keep the lights on.
Will Democratic-Run FERC Bless Use of ‘Social Cost of Carbon Tool’?
In a decision at the end of September, FERC staff handed the pipeline industry what could be a short-lived victory by approving three compressor stations – one new – in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
- 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
