Regulation
Another Major U.S. Oil Refinery Shutting Down as Lyondell Confirms Houston Closure
LyondellBasell Industries plans to permanently close its 263,776 bpd Houston refinery in early 2025, citing long-term shifts in fuel demand amid rising renewable energy and electric vehicle adoption. The closure adds to a wave of U.S. refinery shutdowns as the industry adapts to changing market conditions.
Trump Victory Could Accelerate End of U.S. LNG Export Moratorium, Says Technip Energies
Technip Energies' CEO Arnaud Pieton suggested that a potential victory for Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential election could expedite the lifting of the U.S. moratorium on liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports.
Valero Considers All Options, Including Sale, for California Refineries Amid Regulatory Pressure
Valero Energy Corp. is evaluating various options for its two California refineries, including potential sales, in response to increasing regulatory pressures in the state. CEO Lane Riggs indicated that "all options are on the table," highlighting the challenges faced by refiners in California.
Permitting Reform Legislation Once Again on the Table
The need to update and improve the arduous process of obtaining the permits needed to get critical infrastructure projects off the ground is a longtime priority among supporters of American energy, especially advocates of infrastructure transporting fossil fuels.
Cheniere Energy Moves Closer to Starting New Texas LNG Export Operation
Cheniere Energy moves closer to starting production at its Corpus Christi Stage 3 LNG export facility in Texas, receiving federal approval for key operations. The expansion will add around 10 million metric tons per year to U.S. LNG export capacity.
Canada Halts Imperial’s Norman Wells Oil Permit Extension Over Pipeline, Environmental Concerns
The SSI outlined concerns about the impact of climate change on the Norman Wells operations and the Enbridge pipeline that transports the oil to Alberta in a September letter to the CER.
Workers Sue Pemex Over Injuries from Texas Refinery Gas Leak
Three workers have filed a lawsuit against Mexico's national oil company Pemex for injuries allegedly caused by a hydrogen sulfide gas release at a Deer Park, Texas refinery.
U.S. Northeast Outlook: Permitting Reforms Seen as Crucial to Region’s Energy Woes
The state of Massachusetts earlier in 2024 joined its fellow New England states, along with Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and New York in signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a framework for coordinating their activities to improve interregional transmission planning and development.
Federal Court Slaps FERC’s Hands on Project Approvals
According to the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA), 2023 saw the smallest increase in added interstate pipeline capacity on record in the United States.
FERC Denies Shell Access to Older Commissioning Records in Venture Global LNG Dispute
Shell has lost a bid to have U.S. regulators allow it to view nonpublic commissioning documents related to Venture Global LNG's Calcasieu Pass facility, a setback in a broader dispute over access to cargoes from the plant.
Fatal Gas Leak at Pemex’s Texas Refinery Kills 2, Sparks Investigations
A deadly gas leak at Pemex's Texas refinery in Deer Park claimed two lives and injured 35 workers, prompting investigations into the cause. The accident, which released toxic hydrogen sulfide gas, has sparked concerns about safety protocols at the Mexican state-owned refinery.
U.S. Appeals Court Blocks Kinder Morgan’s Tennessee Pipeline Permits
A U.S. appeals court on Friday put on hold approvals and permits necessary to allow a Kinder Morgan subsidiary to construct a 32-mile gas pipeline in Tennessee, at the urging of environmental groups.
Federal Court Rejects Four New Pipeline Safety Rules
Not only has the D.C. Federal Court of Appeals upending FERC decisions, but it has also now injected itself into Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) decisions.
Siemens Sues Citgo Parent in Texas Over $200 Million Default
Siemens Energy has filed a lawsuit against PDV Holding, Citgo's parent, in Texas, seeking to recover $200 million for a promissory note defaulted by Venezuela. The action comes as creditors pursue claims amid ongoing financial disputes.
North Dakota Pipeline Authority Reports Wildfire Impact on Oil, Gas Production
The North Dakota Pipeline Authority said on Tuesday oil production is estimated to be down nearly 60,000 to 90,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) due to the ongoing wildfires in the U.S. state.
Arbitration Favors BP as Sole Buyer in Kosmos Energy's Senegal LNG Project
Kosmos Energy said on Tuesday a Paris-based arbitrator has ruled in favor of BP, prohibiting Kosmos from selling to third parties liquefied natural gas from the Greater Tortue project offshore Senegal and Mauritania.
FERC Sides with Williams in Texas-Louisiana Pipeline Dispute with Energy Transfer
(P&GJ) — FERC has sided with Williams in a dispute with Energy Transfer, ruling that the Louisiana Energy Gateway project is a gathering network, not subject to federal jurisdiction. This clears the way for Williams to proceed with the project without regulatory oversight under the Natural Gas Act.
Russia Sues Shell Units Over Energy Projects, Court Documents Reveal
Russia's Prosecutor General has filed a lawsuit against a number of energy major Shell's units, court documents showed on Friday.
New Energy Tanker Berths at Russia's Arctic LNG 2 Despite U.S. Sanctions
The U.S.-sanctioned LNG tanker New Energy has berthed at Russia's Arctic LNG 2 plant, according to ship-tracking data. Despite Western sanctions over Russia's actions in Ukraine, the Palau-flagged tanker continues operations, including a recent ship-to-ship transfer from the plant.
From Crude to NGL: Understanding the Complexities of Pipeline Conversions
As Enterprise Products Partners LP expands its footprint in the Permian Basin, the conversion of existing pipelines raises both opportunities and challenges. This article delves into the complexities involved in repurposing energy infrastructure, highlighting technical, economic, and safety considerations amid robust production growth.
Venture Global Receives Approval to Advance Louisiana Calcasieu LNG Plant Toward Commercialization
Venture Global LNG has received approval from the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to reintroduce hazardous fluids to part of its Calcasieu LNG export plant in Louisiana. This critical step brings the plant closer to commercial operations after facing legal and regulatory challenges.
Exxon’s $1.28 Billion Asset Sale to Seplat Nears Approval, Says Nigerian President
Nigeria is struggling to raise output of oil, its biggest export earner, mainly due to theft of crude and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta, forcing companies like Exxon and Shell to look to deepwater projects for expansion.
Profile of Regulations on Colorado County Points to Private Property Safeguards
Colorado is among the largest producers of oil and natural gas in the United States, and the bulk of the energy production in the Centennial State is found in one county: Weld County.
FERC Sides with Venture Global LNG on Equipment Issues as Contract Disputes Escalate
U.S. regulators have backed Venture Global LNG's efforts to address equipment issues at its Calcasieu Pass, Louisiana plant, which have prevented the company from fulfilling long-term LNG contracts for two years.
Exxon Board Member Gregory Goff Joins Elliott Group's Bid to Acquire Citgo Petroleum
Exxon board member Gregory Goff has joined Amber Energy, an Elliott-backed company, in a bid to acquire Citgo Petroleum through a U.S. court auction. The deal aims to resolve Venezuela’s debts, placing a $7.28 billion enterprise value on the Houston-based oil refiner.
ConocoPhillips Secures Court Approval to Seize Payments to Venezuela's PDVSA
The court's decision comes as part of ConocoPhillips' ongoing efforts to recover compensation after the expropriation of its assets by Venezuela. The ruling allows the company to target PDVSA assets linked to the joint Dragon Gas Field project.
India Refuses LNG Purchases from Sanctioned Russia's Arctic LNG 2 Project
India will not buy liquefied natural gas (LNG) produced from Russia's Arctic LNG 2 project, which is sanctioned by Western countries, Oil Secretary Pankaj Jain said on Friday.
Natural Gas Producers Demand Harris’ Stance on Key Energy Issues in Battleground Pennsylvania
As the nation’s second-largest natural gas producer, Pennsylvania is crucial in the upcoming election, with energy policies on LNG and fracing poised to shape the battleground state’s economy. Harris’s approach remains unclear, leaving industry leaders concerned about the potential impact on jobs and energy costs.
FTC Bars Hess CEO from Chevron Board Seat in $53 Billion Deal, Sources Say
U.S. antitrust regulators will block Hess CEO John Hess from joining Chevron's board as a condition for approving Chevron's $53 billion acquisition of Hess, according to sources. This mirrors restrictions in other recent oil industry megamergers.
FTC Set to Greenlight Chevron's $53 Billion Buy of Oil Rival Hess, Sources Say
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is expected to greenlight Chevron’s $53 billion acquisition of Hess this week, according to sources. While FTC approval is near, Exxon Mobil’s legal challenge over Hess’s Guyana assets remains a key hurdle, with a decision expected by mid-2025.
- Trump Puts Keystone XL Pipeline Back in Discussion, Though Revival Faces Developer Resistance
- Army Corps Lists Enbridge’s Line 5 as ‘Emergency’ Project Eligible to Bypass Environmental Review
- Missouri Loses Control Over 1.5 Million-Mile Gas Pipeline Network as Feds Step In
- Energy Transfer Wins New York Court Ruling in $150 Million Pipeline Fraud Case
- ONEOK, MPLX to Build $1.4 Billion LPG Export Terminal, Pipeline in Texas
- Kinder Morgan Approves $1.4 Billion Mississippi Crossing Project to Boost Southeast Gas Supply
- Army Corps Lists Enbridge’s Line 5 as ‘Emergency’ Project Eligible to Bypass Environmental Review
- India’s GAIL Eyes U.S. LNG Deals Following Trump’s Policy Shift
- TC Energy Beats Q4 Profit Estimates, Driven by Mexico Pipelines' Success
- Michigan Court Backs Permits for Enbridge’s Line 5 Pipeline Tunnel Project
