Regulation
Security Concerns Drive Interest in Subsea Clamps
(P&GJ) — Increased concerns about energy security and the desire to support net-zero targets through innovative decommissioning projects are driving up demand for subsea clamps and connectors, according to pipeline technology specialist STATS Group.
Mountain Valley Pipeline Requests In-Service Approval as Completion Nears
(P&GJ) — The Mountain Valley Pipeline is on the verge of completion, with the company seeking federal approval to commence operations. Although some final touches are pending, the company has submitted a request to FERC to expedite the process and issue an order by May 23.
DOE, FERC Take Different Positions on LNG
Environmentalists hailed the announcement by the Biden administration at the end of January — which halted the further approval of LNG exports — calling it a big victory in their fight against climate change and the natural gas industry’s alleged contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.
Pipeline Industry Concerned About Methane Fee Proposal
Natural Gas industry groups are asking Congress to cancel the methane emissions fee, which goes into effect in March 2025, based on emissions in 2024.
Russian LNG Exports Could Stall Over Next Four Years Amid Sanctions Pressure
Russia's LNG exports could stagnate in the next four years under the two less-rosy of three Economy Ministry scenarios - a sign that Western sanctions might be cramping Moscow's energy plans.
Deepwater Port Struggles for Customers as Shale Oil Gains Slow
As U.S. shale oil boomed last decade, an oil pipeline company pitched an ambitious multi-billion-dollar export port off the Texas coast to ship domestic crude to buyers in Europe and Asia.
TC Energy Receives FERC Approval for Northwest Xpress Gas Pipeline Expansion Despite Opposition
(P&GJ) — TC Energy's plan to expand the capacity of its Gas Transmission Northwest Express pipeline by 150 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) received the green light from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on April 16.
Mexico Seizes Air Liquide's Hydrogen Plant at Pemex Refinery
Mexico expropriated a hydrogen plant at a Pemex state oil refinery that a previous administration sold to French firm Air Liquide, the government announced in an official gazette on Thursday.
Ceiling on Venezuela's Oil Output Growth Expected as U.S. Oil License Expires
The expiration of the widest U.S. license so far granted to Venezuela's oil and gas industry will put a ceiling on the South American country's slow crude production growth unless Washington grants enough individual authorizations to compensate, according to analysts and experts.
U.S. Considers Releasing More SPR Oil to Keep Gas Prices Low, White House Adviser Says
U.S. President Joe Biden will do what he can to ensure affordable gasoline prices, White House senior adviser John Podesta said at an industry conference on Tuesday, when asked about future releases of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR).
Dutch Senate Approves Law to Permanently Close Shell, Exxon-Operated Groningen Gas Field
The Dutch Senate on Tuesday approved a law to permanently close the Groningen gas field, following the government's promise that production will never be resumed to limit seismic risks in the region.
Texas Regulators Fine Freeport LNG for Environmental Breaches
Texas' environmental regulator has fined LNG exporter Freeport LNG $152,173 for violating state air pollution emissions rules for periods between 2019 and 2021, the company reported on Tuesday.
Biden Unlikely to Tighten Iran Oil Sanctions Following Israel Attack, Analysts Say
Iran's unprecedented missile and drone strike on Israel is unlikely to prompt dramatic sanctions action on Iran's oil exports from the Biden administration due to worries about boosting oil prices and angering top buyer China, said analysts.
Black & Veatch Receives Green Light for Canada's First FLNG Project
Black & Veatch, in collaboration with Samsung Heavy Industries, has received full authorization from Cedar LNG LP partners to commence construction of Cedar LNG's floating liquefaction facility in Kitimat, British Columbia.
Kansas City Fed Survey: Oil, Gas Activity Declines in U.S. Midwest, Rockies During Q1 2024
Oil and gas energy activity in Oklahoma, Colorado and the northern part of New Mexico fell in the first quarter of 2024, the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Missouri, said on Friday in its quarterly survey of energy activity.
U.S. Finalizes Big Reforms to Federal Oil and Gas Drilling
President Joe Biden's administration on Friday finalized a range of reforms designed to boost returns and address environmental harms from oil and gas drilling on public lands.
Oklahoma Attorney General Sues Enable and Symmetry Over Winter Storm Uri Natural Gas Price Hikes
(P&GJ) — Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has filed litigation against Enable Midstream Partners (Enable) entities and Symmetry Energy Solutions LLC, accusing them of artificially inflating natural gas prices in the aftermath of Winter Storm Uri.
EU Parliament Approves Legal Option to Block Russian LNG Imports
The European Parliament voted on Thursday to pass rules allowing European governments to ban Russian LNG imports, by preventing Russian firms from booking gas infrastructure capacity.
Germany's Mukran LNG Terminal Receives Operating Permit
Germany's Baltic Sea import terminal for LNG at Mukran on Ruegen island has received its operating permit under federal and state laws, private operating company Deutsche ReGas said on Wednesday.
DeLa Express’ 690-Mile Permian-to-Louisiana Gas Pipeline Seeks FERC Approval, Targets 2028 Launch
(P&GJ) — DeLa Express LLC, an affiliate of Moss Lake Partners, has formally requested FERC approval to initiate the Pre-Filing Review Process for the proposed DeLa Express Project—a 690-mile natural gas pipeline aiming to transport gas from production sites in the Delaware Basin, Texas, to markets around Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Chesapeake, Southwestern $7.4 Billion Merger Delayed by FTC's Request for More Information
Chesapeake Energy and Southwestern Energy said on Friday the closing date of their proposed $7.4 billion merger has been pushed back to the second half of the year after receiving a U.S. regulator's second request for information.
AMPP Unveils New Guide to Enhance Pipeline Safety Through Corrosion Control
AMPP unveils a comprehensive guide to enhance pipeline safety through corrosion control, aligning with the latest PHMSA regulations. Developed by industry experts, the guide offers practical strategies for U.S. gas transmission operators and valuable insights for international counterparts, all aimed at safeguarding pipeline integrity.
Enterprise Products Partner's Texas Gulf Coast Oil-Export Facility License Upheld by U.S. Court
A U.S. appeals court on Thursday upheld federal approval of a deepwater oil-export facility planned off the Texas Gulf Coast, saying the proposed Enterprise Products Partners facility had met environmental review criteria.
Enbridge Receives Approval to Begin Service on Louisiana Venice Gas Pipeline Project
Canadian pipeline operator Enbridge's Texas Eastern Transmission subsidiary received approval on Thursday from U.S. energy regulators to commence service of a natural gas pipeline associated with its Venice extension project in Louisiana.
U.S. Halts Louisiana SPR Contracts Due to High Oil Prices
The U.S. Department of Energy on Wednesday said it will not award oil supply contracts for Louisiana's Bayou Choctaw Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) site in August and September due to high oil prices.
Trans Mountain's Expanded Pipeline System to Begin Operations on May 1
Trans Mountain's expanded oil pipeline system will start commercial operations on May 1, the Canadian company said on Wednesday.
Biden Administration Cancels Latest Oil Reserve Refill Plan Amid High Prices
The U.S. has canceled the purchase of about 3 million barrels of oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve due to rising prices, slowing down the pace of replenishment after a historic sale from the emergency stockpile in 2022.
Court Upholds FERC's Authority in Gas Pipeline, LNG Project Deadline Extensions
(P&GJ) — A recent court ruling upheld FERC's authority to extend deadlines for approved natural gas projects, despite opposition from environmental groups. The cases in question involved the Northern Access Pipeline in Pennsylvania and the expansion of Cheniere's Corpus Christi Liquefaction LNG facility in Texas.
Shell Seeks Longer U.S. License Before Committing to Venezuela Gas Project
Oil major Shell is seeking a long-term license from the U.S. before making a final investment decision on the Dragon natural gas project in Venezuela, four people familiar with the matter said.
White House Considers Ending LNG Export Pause for Ukraine Aid, Sources Say
U.S. officials are open to ending President Joe Biden's pause on approvals of LNG exports to get a Ukraine aid package passed in Congress, but want to wait to see the entire proposal before making any decisions, two White House sources said on Tuesday.
- Keystone Oil Pipeline Resumes Operations After Temporary Shutdown
- Freeport LNG Plant Runs Near Zero Consumption for Fifth Day
- Biden Administration Buys Oil for Emergency Reserve Above Target Price
- Mexico Seizes Air Liquide's Hydrogen Plant at Pemex Refinery
- Enbridge to Invest $500 Million in Pipeline Assets, Including Expansion of 850-Mile Gray Oak Pipeline
