Regulation
Spire STL Gas Pipeline Project Backed by FERC Following Legal Woes
(P&GJ) — The Spire STL Pipeline has been reissued a permanent certificate by FERC to operate the 65-mile (105-km) natural gas system, stating the project sufficiently satisfies economic needs in the St. Louis region.
US Pipeline Regulator Probing 60-Barrel Leak on Colonial's Line 3
Top U.S. pipeline operator Colonial Pipeline on Wednesday shut its Line 3 for unscheduled maintenance in response to a "product release" at its Witt delivery station near Danville, Virginia. PHMSA is monitoring the estimated 60-barrel leak on the company's Line 3 pipeline in Virginia, a source told Reuters on Thursday.
Biden Names Democrat Willie Phillips as Acting Head of FERC
President Joe Biden has named Willie Phillips, a Democrat, acting chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, FERC said on Tuesday. Phillips joined the commission in December, 2021 after being appointed by Biden and approved by Congress. Phillips will be the first African-American to take the reigns at FERC.
ONEOK Seeks FERC Approval for 155-Mile Permian-Mexico Connector Pipeline
Saguaro Connector Pipeline filed for a presidential permit application with FERC to construct and operate facilities for the exportation of natural gas at a new international border-crossing at the U.S. and Mexico border in Hudspeth County, Texas. The pipeline would consist of approximately 155 miles of 48-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline originating at the Waha Hub in Pecos County, Texas.
RRC Launches Investigation into Service Issues with Gas Distribution Operator Atmos Mid-Tex
(P&GJ) — The Railroad Commission on Dec. 27 launched an investigation on the performance of Atmos Energy Mid-Tex Division’s gas distribution system during last week’s Winter Storm Elliott.
Italy Court Ruling Allows Work on Tuscan LNG Terminal to Proceed
An Italian administrative court has ruled against a request for a precautionary halt on works for a new LNG terminal in the Tuscan port city of Piombino, saying it did not pose an immediate threat to public safety.
FERC Rejects Environmental Concerns About Gas Pipeline Projects
(P&GJ) — The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) continues to dispatch environmental objections to pipeline projects. Even Chairman Richard Glick, who had originally made reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions his guiding light, is turning a deaf ear.
Using Regulation to Develop Natural Gas Systems
(P&GJ) — Engineering design serves as a fundamental pillar of the lifecycle of an engineering project. The fundamentals of engineering design use industry standards combined with federal, state and municipal codes to produce a construction-ready engineering package.
TC Energy Submits Restart Plan for Keystone Pipeline to US regulator
TC Energy Corp. has submitted a restart plan for its Keystone pipeline to U.S. safety regulator Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) which is being reviewed, according to a source on Tuesday.
Understanding, Implementing New TSA Pipeline Directive
(P&GJ) — The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) made a significant change to its security directive for owners and operators of hazardous liquid and natural gas pipeline and liquified natural gas facilities, with the goal “to reduce the risk that cybersecurity threats pose to critical pipeline systems.”
Methane Emissions Problem Requires Better Monitoring
(P&GJ) — In 2021, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration measured methane in the atmosphere at 1,900 parts per billion. That was a record high and almost three times the level of methane present in the preindustrial age.
Canada to Bring Back Sanctions on Nord Stream Pipeline Parts
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government will revoke the waiver that exempted Nord Stream pipeline turbines from Canadian sanctions on Russia’s oil and gas industry, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing a senior government official.
EQT-THQ Appalachia Latest US Energy Deal to Face Regulatory Delay
Natural gas producer EQT Corp. said on Friday the U.S. antitrust regulator has asked for more information on its planned $5.2 billion buyout of THQ Appalachia I LLC and associated pipeline infrastructure.
FERC Rejects Environmental Concerns About Gas Pipeline Projects
(P&GJ) — TCO Gas and Pipelines (ATCO) continually innovates to reduce emissions and provide clean energy to its customers. In 2018, the company kicked off its decarbonization plan in a review of its different business units to understand where opportunities existed to reduce emissions across their operations to meet their ambitious environmental, social, and governance (ESG) targets.
Agencies with Power to Approve Pipelines Need Reality Check
(P&GJ) — Federal regulators with the power to approve natural gas pipelines need to make judgment calls on everything from how pipelines will affect farmland to how much methane will leak.
API Publishes Two Updated Standards for Underground Natural Gas Storage
(P&GJ) — The American Petroleum Institute released two second-edition standards on Nov. 29 for natural gas storage in underground salt caverns and depleted hydrocarbon and aquifer reservoirs to help ensure a safe and reliable energy supply.
The Forgotten World of Moving the Pipe
(P&GJ) — There are three major ways of moving pipeline sections from fabrication in a factory to placement in the ground in a right-of-way in North America. The decision of which transport method to use is based on several key factors, including costs, accessibility, and availability of needed resources.
Manchin Permitting Bill Provided Little Relief for Pipelines
(P&GJ) — Sen. Joe Manchin’s (D-W.Va.) withdrawal of his infrastructure permitting reform bill from Senate consideration at the end of September probably shouldn’t cause any teeth gnashing among interstate pipeline companies hoping for a new era of pro-pipeline regulatory policy. In that regard, the bill was a major disappointment.
INGAA Opposes Some New Pipeline Safety Mandates
(P&GJ) — Interstate gas pipelines will have nine months to comply with some of the significant, new safety regulations from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The agency has been working on these rules for a decade, ever since the San Bruno, Calif., gas explosion on a PG&E pipeline in 2010, which killed eight people.
White House Asks Congress for $500 Million to Modernize Oil Reserve
The Biden administration has asked Congress for $500 million to modernize the U.S. strategic petroleum reserve (SPR), a document outlining the request shows. The SPR oil is stored in hollowed-out, underground salt caverns that can shift and potentially require maintenance when petroleum is removed and replaced.
Green Groups Sue Louisiana Over Venture Global LNG Permit Exemption
Three environmental groups have sued the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources for exempting Venture Global LNG from needing an environmental permit to build a LNG terminal, the organizations said on Wednesday.
Mexico's Pemex to Work with EPA to Bring Down Methane Emissions
Mexican state oil company Pemex said Saturday that it would work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions — especially methane — to meet ambitious international commitments.
US Energy Regulator's Future Shaky as Senator Manchin Refuses Hearing
U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, a conservative Democrat from coal-rich West Virginia, indicated he would not hold a confirmation hearing to consider President Joe Biden's re-nomination of top energy regulator Rich Glick, potentially dooming Glick's chances.
US Allows Transactions to Free Sanctioned Oil Tanker Stranded in Indonesia
The Indonesian navy has been trying to free the Djibouti-registered ship, Young Yong, which ran aground off Indonesia's Riau Islands on Oct. 26 near a gas pipeline.
INGAA CEO Writes to President Biden to Address New England Reliability Concerns
(P&GJ) — Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) President and CEO Amy Andryszak sent a letter to President Biden on Monday to address New England gas-electric reliability concerns brought forward in a letter from Eversource President and CEO Joseph R. Nolan Jr.
Texas Oil and Gas Regulator Assesses More Than $688,000 in Penalties
The Railroad Commission of Texas this week assessed $688,162.92 in fines involving 262 enforcement dockets against operators and businesses at the Commissioners’ Conference.
Forty Countries Expected to Unveil Methane Plans at UN Climate Summit
Some forty of the 119 countries that pledged last year to slash emissions of the powerful greenhouse gas methane will unveil their plans to do so at the UN climate summit next week, according to a senior U.S. official.
US Regulators Want More Data on Texas Freeport LNG Plant Before Restart
U.S. federal regulators have told Freeport LNG to provide information needed for the planned restart of its LNG export plant in Texas, the second-largest U.S. LNG export plant, as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for review.
Judge Questions New Water Permit for 303-Mile Mountain Valley Pipeline
A federal circuit court judge last week said West Virginia regulators haven't adequately explained how approvals for construction on the Mountain Valley Pipeline have been changed to avoid future water pollution, setting up another potential setback for the beleaguered natural gas pipeline.
PHMSA Approves Expansion of Cameron LNG Plant
An expansion of the Cameron LNG liquefied natural gas export plant won approval by a U.S. regulator on Wednesday, advancing development of a fourth gas-chilling unit.
- 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
