Regulation
U.S. Presidential Candidate Would Rescind Keystone XL Permit if Elected
Presumptive U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said he would rescind the approval permit for the Keystone XL oil pipeline if he were to be elected in November.
CEQ Pro-Pipeline NEPA Changes Generate Heated Attacks
In Washington, on Feb. 22, Christy Goldfuss, former managing director of the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) under President Obama, stepped to the microphone during a public hearing and attempted to drive a rhetorical stake through the heart of the U.S. interstate pipeline industry.
EQM Sees U.S. Mountain Valley Pipeline Service in 2020, Analysts Unconvinced
Equitrans Midstream is still optimistic that its Mountain Valley natural gas pipeline can be in service by the end of 2020. Industry analysts are not as confident.
FERC Provides Guidance to Oil Pipelines During Pandemic
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has pledged to act expeditiously on certain waiver and tariff requests from interstate oil pipelines to address unforeseen circumstances resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
U.S. Pipeline Regulator Strikes Down Washington State's Crude-by-Rail Safety Limits
The U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) on Monday struck down crude-by-rail transportation restrictions imposed by Washington state, saying the measures would not lower the risk of explosions.
Oklahoma Regulators Take no Action After Oil Output Hearing
Energy regulators in Oklahoma declined to provide a timeline for a decision regarding requests from oil producers in the state to mandate production cuts in an attempt to stabilize to hard-hit industry.
U.S. Judge Revises Environmental Ruling on Pipeline Permits
A U.S. Judge partially revised a ruling that blocked pipeline crossings below streams and waterways, allowing crossings for utility and maintenance projects but continuing to require permits for pipeline construction projects.
Regulators Ease Storage Rules, Fees for Texas Producers
Texas oil and gas regulators voted to temporarily relax their rules for underground crude storage and waive related fees and surcharges that producers typically pay.
Texas Will Not Mandate Oil Production Cuts
Texas energy regulators on Tuesday said they will not mandate oil production cuts, ending a month-long debate about whether they would wade into global oil politics for the first time in 50 years as crude prices cratered.
U.S. Delays Pipeline Approvals After Environmental Ruling
Pipelines and utility projects across the country could face long delays and increased costs after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers halted a nationwide permit program citing a recent federal court ruling that declared the permit illegal.
PHMSA Eases Pipeline Regulations, Enforcement in Response to Pandemic
Responding to the impact Covid-19 on midstream staffing and resources, PHMSA has issued two guidance documents to ease some operating requirements, allow discretion in enforcement and provide flexibility to support the critical needs of state and industry partners.
Oklahoma to Allow Struggling Oil Producers to Halt Output Without Breaking Contracts
Oklahoma's oil regulator will allow struggling producers to shut-in wells without having to break a lease declaring unprofitable production an economic waste.
Drones Become Additional Inspection Tool in Permian Basin
Data collection, inspections and safety within the basin have become increasingly important among oil and gas enterprises in the Permian Basin, and drone technology has emerged as a front runner to transform operations.
PHMSA Issues Notice of Discretion Concerning Operators and COVID-19
PHMSA told pipeline operators on March 20 that the administration recognized the constraints they face in the wake of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, adding that certain employees may be required to work outside of their classification.
Oklahoma Judge May Recommend Ruling Oil Production 'Economic Waste'
An Oklahoma Judge will recommend the state's oil and gas regulator approve an emergency order declaring oil production in the state could constitute economic waste, a spokesman for the state's Corporation Commission said.
PHMSA Proposes Mandatory Shutoff Valve Installation for Some Pipelines
Natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines will have to install automatic shutoff valves (ASVs), remote control valves (RCVs) or equivalent technology on all newly constructed or entirely replaced pipelines that have nominal diameters of 6 inches (152.4 mm) or greater if the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) finalizes a proposal it issued in February.
House Democrats Consider Anti-Pipeline Regulatory Changes
Democrats in the House have introduced two bills that would negatively affect interstate pipelines. The legislative efforts align with a broader push by Democrats, including presidential candidates, to enact “green” energy policies, which will vilify natural gas, if not at least tarnish its reputation, as a climate-preferred alternative to coal and oil.
Texas Oil Hearing Stirs Debate but No Decision; Oklahoma Sets May Hearing
Texas energy regulators listened as top executives on Tuesday debated whether the state should cut oil output by 1 million barrels per day, but did not indicate how they might vote after more than 10 hours of sometimes dire testimony.
FERC Issues Favorable Environmental Assessment for Double E Pipeline
Summit Midstream and Exxon Mobil's Double E pipeline carrying natural gas from the Permian Basin to the Waha Hub in Texas has received a favorable environmental review from U.S. regulators.
Enbridge Applies for Construction of Great Lakes Pipeline Tunnel
Enbridge applied for permission to construct a pipeline tunnel beneath a waterway connecting two Great Lakes to replace an aging 4-mile stretch of its aging Line 5.
German Court Rejects Last Obstacle to Nord Stream 2 Construction
The Nord Stream 2 pipeline project cleared another legal hurdle in Germany last week.
U.S. Senate Confirms Danly to FERC, Widening Republican Majority
The U.S. Senate on Thursday easily confirmed James Danly as a Republican member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, widening the Republican majority on the panel.
Federal Regulatory Actions Ease Pipeline Construction
Two key Trump administration environmental regulators have made moves to wipe away potential barriers to new pipeline construction. The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) issued a proposed rule that would make it more difficult for environmentalists to block infrastructure construction because of concerns raised about the project’s creation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
State Awaits Final EIS after Answering Final Questions from FERC
With an additional 2,000 pages of charts, data, maps and explanations, the state-led Alaska liquid natural gas (LNG) team finished out 2019 by answering the last batch of questions from federal regulators for the project’s final environmental impact statement (EIS).
Alaska LNG Passes Major Permitting Milestone, Hurdles Remain
A U.S. energy regulatory report for Alaska Gasline Development Corp's proposed Alaska liquefied natural gas project found it would provide economic benefits to the state but could cause some significant adverse environmental impacts.
Canada's Supreme Court Dismisses Trans Mountain Pipeline Appeals
Canada’s Supreme Court said on Thursday it would not hear five separate appeals of a lower court’s decision related to the Trans Mountain oil pipeline, clearing another hurdle for a project that has been stalled for years due to opposition over climate concerns.
ExxonMobil Proposes Framework for Methane Regulations
ExxonMobil today released a model framework for industry-wide methane regulations that includes specific guidance related to transmission pipeline blowdowns between compressor stations.
Transco Takes Another Shot at NJ Pipeline Approval
Transco's Northeast Supply Enhancement Project, which would take natural gas to customers in New York City and Long Island, is back before New Jersey regulators.
FERC Weighs Plan to Build Pacific Connector Pipeline in Oregon
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is set to decide this week on a proposed natural gas pipeline and marine export terminal in Oregon that is likely set up a court battle over state's rights if approved.
U.S. Gives Iraq Sanctions Waiver for Iranian Gas Imports
The United States has granted Iraq a 45-day sanctions waiver enabling the country to continue importing vital Iranian gas and electricity supplies, two Iraqi officials said on Wednesday.
- 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
