Regulation
Brazil Supreme Court Approves Sale of Petrobas Pipeline Unit
Brazil's Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that state-run firms do not need congressional approval to sell their subsidiaries, a major victory for the government of President Jair Bolsonaro and state-run oil firm Petrobras.
Enbridge Seeks Michigan Court Ruling on Line 5 Pipeline Deal
Enbridge said will go to court after failing to strike a deal with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on building an oil pipeline tunnel beneath the channel that connects Lakes Huron and Michigan.
Canadian Senate Passes Major Project Assessment Bill with Heavy Amendments
The Canadian Senate has approved legislation aimed at changing the way major projects such as oil pipelines are assessed, with more than 180 amendments that were welcomed by the government of Canada's main crude-producing province Alberta.
U.S. Regulators Partially OK Cactus II Rate Structure
U.S. energy regulators partially approved the rate structure and terms of service for Plains All American Pipeline LP’s Cactus II crude and condensate line from the Permian Basin to the Corpus Christi, Texas, area.
Michigan AG Vows to Shutdown Line 5 in 30 Days if Talks Fail
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel says she will move next month to decommission the Great Lakes oil pipeline if the state’s governor cannot resolve the issue with operator Enbridge.
Company Receives Federal Permit for Alaskan Pipeline Project
A company seeking to develop a large oil project on Alaska’s North Slope has won a key federal permit.
Trans Mountain Pipeline Gets Boost From Provincial Court Ruling
The Trans Mountain Pipeline project (TMX) received a boost after the British Colombia Court of Appeals unanimously ruled that the B.C. government could not block a proposed expansion of the pipeline.
Pipeline Opponents Challenge Louisiana Law Targeting Protesters
Environmental groups and demonstrators arrested near an Energy Transfer LP crude pipeline filed a lawsuit on Wednesday challenging a 2018 Louisiana state law that made trespassing near oil and gas pipelines a criminal offense.
U.S. Asks Supreme Court for More Time on Atlantic Coast Appeal
The U.S. Solicitor General asked the Supreme Court on Wednesday to extend the time the government has to file a petition in an appeal of a circuit court decision preventing Dominion Energy Inc from building the Atlantic Coast natural gas pipeline across the Appalachian Trail in Virginia.
Texas Lawmakers May Stiffen Penalties for Intentionally Damaging Pipelines
Lawmakers in Texas are considering a bill that would stiffen penalties for those who damage or trespass around oil and gas operations, despite opposition from environmental activists.
Texas May Stiffen Penalties for Pipeline Damage
Lawmakers in Texas are considering a bill that would stiffen penalties for damaging or trespassing around oil and gas operations despite opposition from environmental groups who say it would quell peaceful protests and overly criminalize offenses.
U.S. Senators Planning Legislation Against Nord Stream 2
A group of Republican and Democratic U.S. senators will introduce legislation as soon as Tuesday seeking sanctions targeting the Nord Stream 2, a gas pipeline from Russia to Germany under fire from the United States and some European Union countries.
China to Raise Tariffs on LNG Imports from United States
China said on Monday it would raise tariffs on LNG imports from the United States amid a series of additional levies, a move that could further reduce U.S. LNG shipments to the world's fastest growing importer of the fuel.
Potential Permitting Delays Could Raise Line 3 Costs
Enbridge Inc, Canada's largest pipeline operator, said on Friday there is a risk its Line 3 replacement project could exceed its previous cost estimate of C$9 billion ($6.71 billion) because of delays to permits in the United States.
Trump Administration Will Complete New Keystone XL Environmental Review
U.S. government attorneys say the Trump administration plans to finish a new environmental review of the Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada even if a federal appeals court throws out a lawsuit that blocked the project.
Federal Judge Sends Dakota Access Ruling Back to State Courts
A federal judge has sent back to North Dakota state court a lawsuit alleging the environmental group Greenpeace conspired against the Dakota Access oil pipeline.
Tariffs Could Add $80 Million Cost to Kinder Morgan GCX Pipeline
U.S. pipeline operator Kinder Morgan Inc will pay a tariff on imported steel used in a $1.75 billion natural gas pipeline project, the U.S. Department of Commerce ruled on Monday, dealing a setback to energy industry efforts to avoid the penalties.
Michigan Governor Halts Great Lakes Oil Pipeline Tunnel
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has ordered state departments and agencies to take no further action on legislation enacted in late 2018 authorizing construction of an oil pipeline tunnel beneath lakes Huron and Michigan. Whitmer made the move after Attorney General Dana Nessel issued an opinion st..
Denmark Asks Nord Stream 2 to Assess 3rd Option for Pipeline
The Danish Energy Agency has requested an environmental assessment of a third route option for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in Danish waters, a move that could delay the project to pump Russian gas to Europe. The 765-mile (1,225-km) pipeline, now under construction, has come under fire from the U..
Trump Signs New Permission for Keystone XL Pipeline
U.S. President Donald Trump signed a new permission for TransCanada Corp to build the Keystone pipeline for imports of Canadian oil, replacing his previous permits in an effort side step the blocking of the project by a Montana court. In issuing the executi..
Local Sewer Grants Targeted for Big, Speculative Increase
Stephen Barlas, Contributing Editor, Washington, D.C. There seems to be a pretty good chance that Congress will pass a reauthorization of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) this Congress given strong bi-partisan support for the Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act of 2019 (H.R. ..
Congress Begins to Consider Changes to Pipeline Safety Law
Stephen Barlas, Contributing Editor, Washington, D.C. Congress had its first hearings in April in both the House and Senate on reauthorization of the Pipeline Safety Act, which loses its current authority Sept. 30, 2019. There will perhaps be some new safety requirements passed given that both De..
Mass. Budgets Statewide Review of Natural Gas Systems
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker signed a spending bill that funds a statewide examination of Massachusetts’ natural gas distribution system, a review that was ordered after last September’s gas explosions near Boston that killed one person, injured 25 others and damaged or destroyed dozens of build..
ACLU Challenges South Dakota Pipeline Protest Legislation
The American Civil Liberties Union is challenging a new law signed by South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem aimed at potential protests against the planned Keystone XL oil pipeline. The Republican governor’s bills require pipeline companies to chip in on protest-related expenses and create a way to pursue..
Interstate Pipeline Companies: Condemning the State in Federal Court
By Richard G. Scott, Attorney, Rutter & Roy, LLP In New Jersey, it is almost impossible for an interstate pipeline company to build a significant pipeline project without crossing state-owned land or land in which the state holds some form of interest. Sev..
Letter from PRCI President Cliff Johnson: Investing in Research to Improve Pipeline Safety
Pipeline Research Council International (PRCI) exists as a way for its members, who are pipeline operators, service providers and other industry stakeholders, to collectively and collaboratively, conduct research, develop, and evaluate new and emerging technologies that have the potential to improve..
PHMSA Pushing to Finalize 2011 Safety Rules
The head of the U.S. pipeline safety agency says officials intend to finalize long-delayed rules aimed at preventing oil spills and deadly natural gas explosions by the end of the year.
Michigan Attorney General Vows to Shut Down Pipeline if Governor's Talks Fail
Michigan's attorney general pledged Monday to move to shut down an oil pipeline in the Great Lakes if the governor doesn't find a "swift and straightforward" resolution to the contentious issue.
Minnesota Governor Renews Challenge to Enbridge Pipeline
Gov. Tim Walz said Monday that his administration has renewed its challenge to a regulatory panel’s approval of Enbridge Energy’s plan to replace its aging Line 3 crude oil pipeline across northern Minnesota, saying he wants to let the legal process play out.
Michigan Governor Open to Possible Line 5 Tunnel Construction
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Wednesday that she's open to allowing construction of an oil transport tunnel beneath the channel where Lakes Huron and Michigan meet, despite previously halting work on a tunnel plan developed by her predecessor.
- 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
