Regulation
New Leak Detection Rules for Pipelines Proposed
(P&GJ) — The federal pipeline safety agency has proposed major changes to its leak detection, based not on concerns about safety but rather in order to reduce methane emissions based on their contribution to climate change.
Editor’s Notebook: Alaska’s Long Road Back
(P&GJ) — With the Biden administration’s recent approval of exports from a proposed LNG project and the rejection of a lawsuit challenging construction of related infrastructure, prospects may again be looking up again for the Final Frontier.
Iraq-Iran Gas-for-Oil Barter Would Likely Violate US Sanctions
A barter of Iranian natural gas for Iraqi oil as described by the Iraqi prime minister this week would likely violate U.S. sanctions on Tehran unless the U.S. issued a waiver permitting it, three former U.S. officials said on Thursday.
Mountain Valley Asks US Supreme Court to Vacate Stays Halting Pipeline
Mountain Valley Pipeline LLC asked the U.S. Supreme Court in a filing on Friday to vacate stays imposed by a federal court halting construction of a portion of its West Virginia-to-Virginia natural gas pipeline.
Importer Group: Investments in LNG 'Ever More Necessary' as Imports Rise
Global LNG imports rose last year as Europe's scramble to replace Russian pipeline gas pushed its shipments up 60%, making additional investments "ever more necessary" to ensure the security of supply, an importer group said on Thursday.
Energy Transfer Signs Deals for Louisiana Lake Charles Export Plant
The agreements come even though the U.S. Department of Energy has so far refused to extend Lake Charles' authorization to sell LNG to non-Free Trade Agreement (FTA) countries beyond December 2025.
TC Energy Urges Canada to Speed Permits for Energy Transition Projects
TC Energy has more than 20,000 kilometers (14,300 miles) of pipeline in western Canada that could be repurposed to carry carbon dioxide for sequestration underground or transport low-emissions hydrogen, CEO Francois Poirier said.
CPC Adopts New Regulations on Tanker Loadings in Its Marine Terminal
Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) said it has adopted new regulations allowing it to reduce the loading speeds of oil tankers in its marine terminal at times of changing weather conditions to minimize air pollution.
Shell, BP Pursue Arbitration Claims Against Venture Global LNG
Top LNG traders Shell and BP have separately filed for arbitration against U.S. exporter Venture Global LNG for failing to supply contracted cargoes, even as it sold to non-contract customers as prices soared, four people familiar with the matter said.
BP Settles US Natural Gas Market Manipulation Case for $10.8 Million
The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) alleged that BP violated the Natural Gas Act by manipulating the next-day gas market at Houston Ship Channel from mid-September through Nov. 30, 2008.
Sempra Expects US to Approve Permit Extension for Cameron LNG Plant
Sempra Infrastructure likely will ask the U.S. Department of Energy for an export license extension for its Cameron LNG facility expansion, President Dan Brouillette said on Monday.
Equitrans Midstream Weighing Options as Court Blocks Mountain Valley Project
Pipeline operator Equitrans Midstream said on Tuesday it is evaluating all legal options, including an emergency appeal at the U.S. Supreme Court, after an appellate court halted construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline project in the Jefferson National Forest.
Canada Regulator Issues Order to Trans Mountain Over Community Impact Monitoring
The Canada Energy Regulator issued an "Inspection Office Order" to Trans Mountain for not adhering to an approved plan to monitor the impact of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project on local communities during construction.
Russia Bans Tiny US-based NGO for 'Sabotaging' Vast Gas Pipeline
Russia accused a small U.S.-based charity on Wednesday of "sabotaging" the construction of a huge gas pipeline to China and banned it as an "undesirable organization."
Delaware Court Holds TC Energy Liable for Fiduciary Duty Breaches in Columbia Pipeline Deal; Appeals Planned
(P&GJ) — A Delaware court holds TC Energy liable for aiding and abetting breaches of fiduciary duty by former top executives of Columbia Pipeline Group Inc., while TC Energy plans to appeal the decision.
Venture Global LNG Seeks Approval to Speed Up Plant Construction
Venture Global LNG has asked U.S. regulators for an expedited review of a request to add construction workers to its Plaquemines LNG export project and to allow work around the clock seven days per week.
US Dept of Energy Grants Export License to Gulfstream LNG
Gulfstream LNG Development has received an export authorization from the U.S. Department of Energy to advance its proposed LNG export plant in Louisiana, the company said on Friday.
Mountain Valley Pipeline Gets FERC Authorization to Resume Construction
U.S. energy company Equitrans Midstream Corp.'s long-delayed $6.6 billion Mountain Valley natural gas pipeline received authorization on Wednesday from the country's energy regulator to restart construction of the project.
MVP Pipeline Foes Say Congress Can't 'Mandate Victory' for the Project
A provision of the U.S. debt ceiling bill that streamlined the federal approval process for the $6.6 billion Mountain Valley Pipeline and limited court reviews of challenges to the project violates the U.S. Constitution’s separation of powers doctrine, opponents of the pipeline have claimed.
Oil Shippers on Canada's Trans Mountain Expansion Dispute Pipeline Tolls
Oil shippers on the Trans Mountain expansion project are challenging proposed pipeline tolls filed by Canadian government-owned Trans Mountain Corp. with regulators last month, citing concerns about significant cost increases.
TotalEnergies Faces Second Lawsuit Over Uganda Oil Projects
The French and Ugandan groups, led by Friends of the Earth France, accuse the energy company of failing to protect people and the environment from its Tilenga oil development and the $3.5 billion East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).
Nigeria Investigates Shell's Trans Niger Pipeline Spill
Nigerian authorities and Shell's local subsidiary were on Monday investigating the cause of a spill on the Trans Niger pipeline that lasted several days.
Energy Transfer to Continue Lake Charles LNG Project Despite DOE Rehearing Denial
Pipeline operator and LNG developer Energy Transfer on Friday said it will continue construction of its Lake Charles LNG project despite a rehearing denial by the U.S. Department of Energy.
US Mountain Valley Gas Pipeline Moving Forward, Capacity May Be Limited
The $6.6 billion Mountain Valley natural gas pipeline from West Virginia to Virginia is on track to get final permits by Saturday, moving the long-delayed project closer to re-starting construction.
DOE Refuses Pipeline Operator Energy Transfer's Rehearing Request for LNG Project
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will not rehear pipeline operator Energy Transfer's request for a second extension of its Lake Charles LNG export project. The decision could spell an end to the project, according to the company's own filings with the DOE.
New State Budget Allows Texas Railroad Commission to Better Serve Oil, Gas Industry
The budget includes new funding to enhance the RRC’s work serving public safety and environmental protection, including hiring up to 50 new pipeline safety inspectors to inspect thousands of more miles of pipelines in Texas.
Canadian Regulator Raises Pipeline Abandonment Cost Estimate to Over $14 Billion
The increase means most of the 93 companies whose Canadian pipelines are regulated by the CER will face higher abandonment costs, the regulator said.
Useful Considerations for CO2, Hydrogen Pipeline Operators
(P&GJ) — When a pipeline operator becomes a “common carrier” under Texas law, it is granted the power of eminent domain over private property for public use. Texas law provides two independent sources for common carrier status: Texas Natural Resources Code Section 111 and Texas Business Organizations Code Section 2.105. Common carrier status is critical to pipeline projects in Texas, especially when easements are difficult to obtain.
Adapting ROW Strategies to Sustainability, Public Perception
(P&GJ) — Pipeline infrastructure and operations raise two common concerns among landowners and other public entities: greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and ecosystem disturbance.
Proactive Integrity Management for Pipeline River Crossings
(P&GJ) — The selection of appropriate pipeline routes is critical for reducing the impact of geotechnical and hydrotechnical hazards. Many hazards, including water crossings, can be avoided by careful route planning.
- Trump Aims to Revive 1,200-Mile Keystone XL Pipeline Despite Major Challenges
- Valero Considers All Options, Including Sale, for California Refineries Amid Regulatory Pressure
- ConocoPhillips Eyes Sale of $1 Billion Permian Assets Amid Marathon Acquisition
- ONEOK Agrees to Sell Interstate Gas Pipelines to DT Midstream for $1.2 Billion
- Energy Transfer Reaches FID on $2.7 Billion, 2.2 Bcf/d Permian Pipeline
- U.S. LNG Export Growth Faces Uncertainty as Trump’s Tariff Proposal Looms, Analysts Say
- Tullow Oil on Track to Deliver $600 Million Free Cash Flow Over Next 2 Years
- Energy Transfer Reaches FID on $2.7 Billion, 2.2 Bcf/d Permian Pipeline
- GOP Lawmakers Slam New York for Blocking $500 Million Pipeline Project
- Texas Oil Company Challenges $250 Million Insurance Collateral Demand for Pipeline, Offshore Operations
