Regulation
US, EU Pursuing Global Deal to Slash Planet-Warming Methane, Documents Show
The United States and the European Union have agreed to aim to cut emissions of methane by around a third by the end of this decade and are pushing other major economies to join them, according to documents seen by Reuters.
Performance Measures Needed to Assess Liquid Pipeline Regulations
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) amended safety regulations in 2019. Several operators said they would need to modify or replace pipelines to accommodate certain inspection tools.
Biden to Nominate Democrat Willie Phillips to FERC
Phillips would bring FERC to a 3-2 Democratic majority for the first time in Biden's administration, a change that could help in Biden's push to put the country on a path to decarbonize the power grid by 2035.
Stronger Storms Test Aging U.S. Offshore Oil Facilities
Stronger hurricanes threatening the U.S. Gulf Coast energy hub are elevating the risks of oil spills from damage to area refineries, oil platforms and subsea pipelines, experts say.
Energy, Manufacturing, Labor and Business Groups Urge Senate to Oppose Punitive Natural Gas Tax
The American Petroleum Institute (API) and 130 organizations across the natural gas and oil supply chain sent a letter to the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works opposing legislation that would place a fee on methane.
Infrastructure Bill Includes More Spending on Water Pipes, Sewers
The Senate infrastructure legislation provides major funding boosts to the drinking water and clean water state revolving funds, but congressional passage of the bill depends, apparently, on whether Congress also passes a second $3.5 trillion “social infrastructure” bill demanded by progressive Democrats in the House.
INGAA Questions New Pipeline Cybersecurity Mandates
Members of Congress, who view gas and oil pipelines as dangerously vulnerable to cyberattacks, appear to be underwhelmed by the DHS mandates which come from its subagency, the Transportation Security Administration. A second directive in May was simply non-enforceable guidance.
Australia's Commonwealth Bank Taken to Court Over Oil and Gas Financing Policies
The case seeks documentation on projects including Santos' acquisition of the Barossa Gas Field, the Permian Highway natural gas pipeline in the United States, and Euronav NV "very large crude carriers,” the documents say.
Australia Bucks Climate Trend with Plan to Subsidize Natural Gas, Coal
Australia's federal government is proposing what amounts to a subsidy to natural gas- and coal-fired power generation, in a bid to solve a problem the country's energy market operator says doesn't exist.
Line 3 Pipeline Approaches Completion after Court Ruling
Enbridge's Line 3 replacement project is nearing completion after successfully defending another legal challenge last week, when the Minnesota Supreme Court decided it would not hear an appeal from opponents who sought to overturn regulatory approval.
German Court Says EU Rules Apply to Nord Stream 2 Pipeline
The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is not exempt from European Union rules that require the owners of pipelines to be different from the suppliers of the gas that flows in them to ensure fair competition, a German court ruled.
Spire Could Get More Time to Operate Missouri STL NatGas Pipeline
Spire Inc. will likely get more time to keep its STL pipeline in Missouri operating after the environmental group that won a court decision requiring the pipe shutdown asked the court for more time, according to analysts.
Court Rulings Underscore Challenges for Gas Pipeline Construction
Recently, the construction of new and expanded gas pipelines has been scrutinized, especially as countries address climate change by expanding the use of renewable energy resources and reducing the use of fossil fuels.
FERC to Lose Republican Majority After Commissioner’s Departure
Federal Energy Regulatory Commissioner Neil Chatterjee, a Republican, will step down Aug. 30, leaving FERC evenly split between Republicans and Democrats.
Germany Open to Suggestions on Nord Stream 2, But Won't Create Obstacles
Germany is open to suggestions about the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project but will not create obstacles to it, economy and energy minister Peter Altmaier said on Monday.
GAO Report Finds Multiple Problems with Keystone Pipeline
The U.S. government watchdog found multiple problems with the construction, manufacture and design of the Keystone XL pipeline, validating President Joe Biden’s decision to revoke its permit, leaders of several House Democratic committees said.
Ukraine Discussed Guarantees with US, Germany Over Nord Stream 2 Pipeline
The energy ministers of Ukraine, the United States and Germany discussed guarantees for Ukraine about its future as a transit country after the construction of Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
Russia Pledges Retaliation After New U.S. Sanctions
Moscow pledged retaliatory measures after a new set of sanctions imposed by the United States on a Russian ship and two companies involved in the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, Russia's foreign ministry said.
U.S. Slaps Sanctions on Nord Stream 2, Project's Opponents Say Not Enough
The Biden administration on Friday slapped sanctions on one Russian vessel and two Russian individuals involved in the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, but opponents of nearly-completed project said the move would do little to stop it.
Ukraine Naftogaz Says Nord Stream 2 Cannot Succeed
Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is a political project that breaches European Union regulations, cannot work commercially and should be stopped, the head of Ukraine's state energy firm Naftogaz told Reuters.
German Court to Rule on Nord Stream 2 Gas Link on Aug. 25
A German regional court will decide on Aug. 25 whether European Union rules requiring the separation of energy production from transportation and trade must be applied to the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
U.S. Regulator Moving to Restore Federal Oil and Gas Leasing Program
A U.S. offshore regulator on Wednesday said efforts to resume a federal oil and gas leasing program are underway following a court decision reversing the Biden administration's suspension.
New Cybersecurity Standard for Pipelines Provides Comprehensive Approach to Cyber Defense
API published its third edition of Pipeline Control Systems Cybersecurity underscoring the natural gas and oil industry’s ongoing commitment to protecting the nation’s critical infrastructure from malicious and potentially disruptive cyber-attacks.
Oil Industry Sues Biden Administration Over Drilling Auction Pause
Major U.S. oil industry groups sued the Biden administration for halting drilling auctions on federal lands and waters this year, arguing the government is required by law to hold regular sales.
U.S. Treasury to Oppose Development Bank Financing for Most Fossil Fuel Projects
The Treasury said it would oppose upstream natural gas projects, but could support midstream and downstream natural gas projects in poor countries that meet the World Bank's International Development Association targets.
New York's Pension Fund to Review Oil Holdings, Axes More Coal Investments
Major investors have re-evaluated holdings in fossil fuel producers and prodded energy executives to reduce emissions. After completing its shale review, the New York fund plans to turn next to oil and gas pipeline and processing investments.
Russia's Gazprom Meeting Obligations for Yamal-Europe Gas Exports
Russian state gas company Gazprom is meeting gas delivery obligations via the Yamal-Europe gas pipeline in full, its export arm, Gazprom Export, said.
New US Energy Security Advisor to Tackle Nord Stream 2 Risks
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken appointed former diplomat Amos Hochstein as a senior advisor for energy security to work on the fallout from the Russia-backed Nord Stream 2 pipeline, among other energy issues.
Norway Should Reclaim Energy Regulation From EU, Eurosceptic Opposition Says
Centre opposed Norway's adoption of the EU's Third Energy Package in 2019 that liberalized markets by barring suppliers from controlling pipelines and power grids and creating the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators.
Court Adds to Democratic FERC Leverage on Pipeline Standards
A federal court decision stopping operation of the Spire STL pipeline in Missouri strengthens the hands of the Democratic leadership of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as it considers pipeline-opposed changes to its 1999 pipeline approval policy standards.
- 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
