Regulation
PHMSA Strengthens Safety Requirements for Over 300,000 Miles of Natgas Pipelines
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) transmitted a final rule on Thursday that will strengthen the safety and environmental protection on more than 300,000 miles of gas transmission pipelines.
Manchin Appears to Have Secured Pro-Energy Side-Deal with White House
(P&GJ) – In addition to securing a commitment from President Joe Biden and the Democratic leadership that might enable the Mountain Valley Pipeline to be completed, Sen. Joe Machin apparently gained a side-deal that could have a far-reaching positive effect on energy projects.
Senator Manchin Secures Future of Mountain Valley Pipeline Project
Democratic U.S. Senator Joe Manchin has secured a commitment from President Joe Biden, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to allow the Mountain Valley Pipeline to be completed, his office told a CBS affiliate on Monday.
PHMSA Issues Notice of Limited Enforcement Discretion for Certain Gas Gathering Pipelines
The new notice specifies that PHMSA will hold off on pursuing enforcement action against operators for a further year (i.e., until May 17, 2024), but only for Type C gathering pipelines with lower outer diameters.
US Senate Bill Could Deal Significant Blow to Biden’s Anti-Drilling Pledge
U.S. President Joe Biden's vow to end federal oil and gas drilling could be axed by a $430 billion spending bill proposed by U.S. Senate Democrats. If it passes, it would effectively guarantee continued drilling rights auctions on federal lands and waters for at least another decade.
FERC OKs Natural Gas Pipeline Projects Aimed at US Exports
In the first quarter of 2022, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved three projects intended to increase U.S. natural gas exports via pipeline and as liquefied natural gas (LNG).
FERC Reviewing $160 Million Ohio Valley Connector Expansion
The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has issued a notice that it will conduct an environmental review of Equitrans’ Ohio Valley Connector Expansion (OVCX) project, a regulatory hurdle that if passed will bring the project closer to receiving authorization.
Russia's Gazprom Declares Force Majeure on Some Gas Supplies to Europe
Russia's Gazprom has declared force majeure on gas supplies to Europe to at least one major customer, according to a letter from Gazprom that will add to European fears of fuel shortages.
Russian Court Overturns Suspension on Caspian Pipeline Operations
A court in southern Russia on Monday overturned an earlier ruling suspending Caspian Pipeline Consortium's operations and instead fined it 200,000 rubles ($3,300), easing concerns about a global oil supply crunch.
Ukrainian Group Files Lawsuit Against Canada for Returning Nord Stream 1 Turbine
A group representing the Ukrainian diaspora said on Tuesday it was seeking a judicial review of the Canadian government's decision to return a repaired turbine to Germany that is needed for the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline.
Russia: Future of Nord Stream 1 Depends on Gas Demand and Sanctions
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that the future of the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline to Germany would depend on gas demand in Europe and Western sanctions against Russia.
Gas Gathering Pipeline Rules: A New Beginning
The need to regulate the more than 425,000 miles of natural gas gathering pipelines throughout the United States for the first time stems from more than governmental fiat. It is tied to the transformation of the energy industry in the 21st century and the pipelines that supply increasingly complex markets.
Canada's Trudeau: 'Very Difficult Decision' to Return Turbine for Russian Pipeline
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Wednesday that it was a "very difficult decision" to grant an exemption from sanctions imposed on Russia for the return of a repaired turbine needed for the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline.
Glick Renomination, Policies Become Converging Controversies
Some key decisions about federal pipeline regulation are coming to a head as the comment period for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) two draft policy statements closed and the Senate decides whether to renew Richard Glick’s chairmanship at FERC.
Trans-Foreland Pipeline Seeks Extension for Alaska LNG Import Project
Marathon Petroleum Corp.'s Trans-Foreland Pipeline Co. unit said it has yet to make a final investment decision to build the project because the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have worsened economic and logistical conditions.
How Operators Can Respond to PHMSA Gas Gathering Reporting Rule
A new gas gathering rule, issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), expands safety oversight to all onshore gas-gathering pipelines, with the intent to make all processes associated with pipelines safer.
Environmental Groups Attempt to Slow LNG Exports to Europe
Despite Biden’s commitment to get more U.S. LNG to Europe, environmental groups are trying to convince FERC to slow or kill export LNG facilities and pipelines that serve them on mostly environmental grounds.
Michigan Regulators Request More Information on Enbridge’s Line 5 Pipeline Tunnel Project
State of Michigan regulators on Thursday ordered Canada's Enbridge Inc. to file additional information on safety and engineering for its proposed Line 5 oil pipeline tunnel, describing Enbridge's current application as "deficient."
Cheniere Asks Biden Administration for Exemption from Pollution Rule
Cheniere Energy Inc. has asked the Biden administration to exempt it from a pollution rule under the U.S. Clean Air Act, arguing the limits would force the LNG exporter to shut for an extended period and endanger the country's efforts to ramp up supplies to Europe.
FERC Suspends Schedule for Venture Global’s Gas Plant, Pipeline Project in Louisiana
The U.S. energy regulator has suspended the environmental review schedule for Venture Global LNG's proposed CP2 LNG export plant and pipeline in Louisiana.
Kinder Morgan Gets FERC Approval to Offer Certified Gas Pooling on TGP System
Kinder Morgan subsidiary Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. LLC (TGP) has received approval from FERC to offer producer certified gas, or responsibly sourced gas, aggregation pooling service across the 11,760-mile pipeline system.
Supreme Court Limits EPA’s Authority to Regulate Carbon Emissions
In a highly anticipated but not unexpected 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on June 30, 2022, that the Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s authority under the Clean Air Act.
PHMSA Blocks Restart of Freeport LNG Plant Citing Unsafe Conditions
U.S. pipeline safety regulator PHMSA on Thursday said it found unsafe conditions at a Texas liquefied natural gas export facility and will not allow owner Freeport LNG to restart the plant until an outside analysis is complete.
Texas RRC Approves Rule to Ready Natural Gas Industry for Weather Emergencies
The Texas Railroad Commission (RRC), which oversees the state's oil and natural gas industries, approved a proposed weatherization rule to help protect Texans during emergencies that could occur any time of the year.
Demand for US Exports to Drive More Natural Gas Production
The reference case in the U.S. Energy Information Association’s (EIA’s) Annual Energy Outlook (AEO2022) projects U.S. natural gas production to continue to increase through 2050. The reference case is the baseline in AEO2022, and it projects energy trends based on current laws, regulations, and market conditions.
API Unveils Ten-Point Policy Plan to Restore US Energy Leadership, Fuel Economic Recovery
The American Petroleum Institute on Tuesday released a “10 in 2022 plan”—10 policies that policymakers can advance today to unlock American energy, fuel economic recovery, and strengthen national security.
Cheniere Gets OK to Place Sabine LNG Tank Back in Service
U.S. LNG company Cheniere Energy Inc. received permission from federal regulators on Wednesday to return one of two shut storage tanks to service at its Sabine Pass LNG export plant in Louisiana following a leak in 2018.
Texas RRC Commissioners Assess Unusually Heavy Amount of Enforcement Fines
The Railroad Commission of Texas assessed $1,008,396 in fines with pipeline operators and excavators ticketed $476,200 for violations of the Commission’s Pipeline Damage Prevention rules, the Commission said on Wednesday.
DOE Launches $8 Billion Program for Clean Hydrogen Hubs across US
The U.S. Department of Energy filed a notice of intent to fund the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s $8 billion program to develop regional clean hydrogen hubs – H2Hubs – across America, the DOE said in a press release on Monday.
NWP 12 Up for Review Again
The Army Corps of Engineers is undertaking a review of Nationwide Permit 12 (NWP 12), which allows gas and oil pipelines to avoid a lengthy, expensive environmental review when building facilities near wetlands.
- 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
