Regulation

Energy Transfer, Sunoco Pipelines Rack Up Violations: Analysis

Energy Transfer LP and its Sunoco pipeline subsidiary have racked up more than 800 state and federal permit violations while racing to build two of the nation's largest natural gas pipelines, according to a Reuters analysis.

Another Keystone XL Setback: Environmental Study Ordered

Environmentalists cheered a federal court order that blocks a Trump administration permit for the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, pending an environmental review.

US Allows Williams More Time to Get OK for Constitution Pipeline

U.S. energy regulators gave Williams Cos two more years, until December 2020, to get the approvals needed to build its long-delayed Constitution natural gas pipeline from Pennsylvania to New York, according to a federal filing made available.

FERC Approves Final Two Laterals on Rover Pipeline

Energy Transfer said its Rover Pipeline has received federal approval to commence natural gas service on the project's final two laterals, allowing the pipeline to add receipt and delivery points for production in West Virginia.

TransCanada Eyes Joint Ventures, Sales to Fund Keystone XL

Canadian pipeline operator TransCanada Corp said it is eyeing joint ventures and asset sales, among other options, to finance the construction of its $8 billion Keystone XL crude oil pipeline.

Italy Gives Green Light to Contested TAP Gas Pipeline

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte gave Italy's final approval to the Trans Adriatic Pipeline, a gas transport project which had been strongly contested by one of the two parties in the ruling coalition.

Australian State Slows AGL LNG Import Project with Environment Review

Plans by Australia’s AGL Energy to start importing LNG from 2021 will be delayed after the state of Victoria called for the company and its pipeline partner to submit a full environmental assessment of their project.

Minnesota Judge Tosses Charges Mid-trial Against 3 Activists

A Minnesota judge abruptly dismissed charges against three climate change activists during their trial, saying prosecutors failed to prove that the protesters’ attempt to shut down two Enbridge Energy oil pipelines caused any damage.

Valley Crossing Pipeline to Mexico Gains FERC Extension

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) awarded Enbridge subsidiary Valley Crossing Pipeline six additional months to connect its natural gas pipeline to its counterpart in Mexico, moving the deadline to April 23.

Canada Won’t Appeal Court Ruling Overturning Pipeline Approval

The Canadian government will not appeal a court ruling that overturned its approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project, Natural Resources Minister Amarjeet Sohi said Wednesday.

A Look at Government’s Role in Pipeline Safety, Maintenance

As existing U.S. pipeline infrastructure ages and new projects face increased public scrutiny, it’s important that measures are in place to ensure safe operations. Here's an overview of the role government plays in making pipelines the safest way to annually transport 16.2 billion barrels of liquid products and over 25 Tcf of natural gas.

Enbridge: Petitions Against Approved Line 3 'Expected'

Line 3 pipeline opponents have petitioned Minnesota to reverse its approval of the replacement project, which Enbridge described as an expected step in the process.

Keystone XL Pipeline Route Would Not Harm Environment: State Dept.

The U.S. State Department on Friday issued an environmental assessment of a revised route for the Keystone XL crude pipeline that concluded it would not harm water or wildlife, clearing a hurdle for the project that has been pending for a decade.

U.S. Manufacturer Praises new Tariffs on Fittings, Flanges

A Trump Administration decision to add tariffs on Chinese-made pipe fittings and flanges has drawn strong support from a major U.S. manufacturer and supplier to the pipeline industry.

Dominion Energy to Buy Rest of Dominion Energy Midstream Partners

Dominion Energy said Wednesday it offered to buy the rest of Dominion Energy Midstream Partners in an all-stock deal, valuing the company at about $2.2 billion.

Government

FERC Pressed to Change Pipeline Approval Policies Interstate pipeline companies are fending off efforts by environmental groups to pressure the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to make significant changes to its 1999 pipeline certificate policy. Groups such as the Chesapeake Bay Foundati..

Landowners Oppose Year-Old Oil Pipeline Before Iowa Supreme Court

A group of Iowa landowners and an environmental group asked the Iowa Supreme Court on Wednesday to declare a crude oil pipeline permit illegal under the Iowa Constitution, a decision that could force the pipeline in operation for more than a year to be turned off.

Court Quashes Canada's Approval of Trans Mountain Pipeline

Canada's Federal Court of Appeal on Thursday quashed the approval of the contentious Trans Mountain pipeline expansion that would nearly triple the flow of oil from the Alberta oil sands to the Pacific Coast.

US Companies Fume over Rejected Steel Tariff Exemptions

When the Trump Administration slapped a 25 percent tariff on imported steel this spring, it allowed companies to apply for exemptions if needed metals were unavailable in sufficient quality, quantity or in a reasonable time. But the process is proving slow and controversial as a deluge of applications has buried the small staff initially assigned to the task.

Commerce Dept: 6 Countries Dumped Welded Pipe in US Market

The U.S. Commerce Department said it made a preliminary determination that large-diameter welded pipe from Canada, China, Greece, India, South Korea and Turkey was being dumped in the U.S. market.

A New Mexican Administration: Taking Action

As the new administration offers additional insight into its policies, it appears that Mexico will continue to offer a business-friendly environment when Andrés Manuel López Obrador takes office as its new president on Dec. 1.

Pipeline Digs Get Assist From PMO

Performing direct assessments to verify a pipeline’s MAOP is not new, but as federal regulations become more stringent, the volume of digs will increase significantly, and operators need to keep up with the pace.

NACE President Looks to Bolster Corrosion Education

NACE International’s president for 2018, Jeffrey Didas, discusses corrosion education and other issues of importance to the organization in its 75th anniversary year.

Mexico Likely To Keep Making the World’s Biggest Oil Hedge

First signals from President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s staff and advisors are that the new administration will not seek to backtrack on energy reforms that allow foreign firms to win E&P contracts in Mexico.

Italian Energy Hub Seen as Key to EU Goals

European energy policy is largely determined by Brussels and implemented by individual member states, but integral to improving European energy security are joint plans to turn Italy into Southern Europe’s energy hub.

How the Historic Energy Reform Transformed Mexico’s Oil Fortunes

Five years ago, few would have predicted that Mexico would be capable of overhauling its oil and gas sector, much less through a downturn. Yet since the constitutional reform of 2013, Mexico has dramatically revivified its upstream sector.

Regulators Greenlight Construction of Trans Mountain Segments

Canada's energy regulator said it had given the go-ahead for the construction of a large portion of the Trans Mountain expansion project, which will nearly triple capacity on the oil pipeline from Alberta to a Vancouver area port.

FERC Approves Transco Expansion Project in New Jersey

Williams said FERC has authorized an expansion of the Transco natural gas pipeline to meet growing heating and power generation demand in the U.S. Northeast.

Energy Execs Lament Trump Tariffs as Costs Rise on Pipeline Projects

U.S. President Trump’s proposal to double tariffs on steel and aluminum from Turkey could push up costs even further for domestic oil and gas pipeline projects, as energy executives said they were already struggling from earlier tariff rises.

SoCalGas: Aliso Canyon Leak Costs Exceed $1 Billion

SoCalGas raised the estimated cost for the massive leak at its 2015-2016 Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility in Los Angeles to $1.014 billion, warning the "estimate may rise significantly" due to pending lawsuits, possible fines and other costs.