Regulation
Norway to Acquire Full Control of Gas Pipeline Network in $1.6 Billion Government Deal
Norway has agreed to a $1.6 billion buyout with seven private owners to nationalize most of its gas pipeline network, enhancing government control over the key energy infrastructure.
Trump Prepares to Withdraw from Paris Climate Agreement, NYT Reports
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's transition team prepares executive orders to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, end the LNG export pause, and revoke California's pollution waiver, according to the New York Times.
Freeport LNG Sets New Gas-Processing Record After Plant Overhaul
Freeport LNG drew record natural gas volumes on several days this week, according to financial firm LSEG, following completion of an overhaul that increased processing capacity.
Biden Administration Makes Final Oil Purchase for Strategic Reserve as Funding Ends
The Biden administration announced its last oil purchase for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve after record sales in 2022, as Department of Energy funding for the reserve has been fully tapped.
Trump Win Expected to Lift Barriers on U.S. LNG Export Projects, Say Developers
U.S. LNG developers anticipate accelerated project approvals following Donald Trump’s election, as his administration promises to streamline Department of Energy reviews. Companies like Energy Transfer and Commonwealth LNG expect this shift to fast-track multibillion-dollar export projects, while environmental groups vow continued opposition.
EU Explores LNG Imports From U.S. to Counter Trump’s Tariff Threat, Boost Trade Balance
The European Union is considering increasing LNG imports from the U.S. to ease trade tensions with a potential second term for Donald Trump, as Brussels braces for new tariffs. This move is seen as a way to address the trade deficit while diversifying energy sources in the wake of geopolitical instability.
Sempra's Port Arthur LNG Phase 2 Progressing Faster Than Cameron LNG Expansion, CFO Says
The Texas-based Port Arthur project benefits from a continuous construction agreement with Bechtel and is on track to receive its non-FTA export permit early next year. Meanwhile, the timing for financial approval of the Cameron expansion remains uncertain.
Federal Regulators Approve Venture Global to Introduce Natural Gas at Louisiana LNG Plant
Federal regulators have granted Venture Global permission to introduce natural gas into its Plaquemines LNG plant in Louisiana, bringing the facility closer to producing liquefied natural gas (LNG) and strengthening U.S. LNG export capacity.
Trump’s Return May Shift U.S. Energy Focus, but Clean-Energy Boom Remains Strong
Donald Trump's return to the White House would likely redirect U.S. energy policy towards oil and gas, but experts believe the nation's clean-energy boom will maintain momentum due to existing subsidies and market dynamics.
Texas Reelects Craddick to Lead Oil Regulatory Body, Signaling Continued Industry Growth
Texas voters have re-elected Christi Craddick as chair of the Texas Railroad Commission, reinforcing her conservative stance on energy regulation and signaling further growth for the state’s oil industry, including the Permian Basin.
Texas GulfLink Project Gets EPA Backing for Crude Export Hub off Texas Coast
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has given its nod to the Texas GulfLink (TGL) Deepwater Port Project, a venture proposed by Texas GulfLink Holdings, a subsidiary of Sentinel Midstream LLC, intended to facilitate crude oil exports from the U.S. coast.
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.
- 1,000-Mile Pipeline Exit Plan by Hope Gas Alarms West Virginia Producers
- Valero Plans to Shut California Refinery, Takes $1.1 Billion Hit
- Greenpeace Ordered to Pay $667 Million to Energy Transfer Over Dakota Access Pipeline Protests
- Canada’s Canceled Oil Pipelines: The Projects That Didn’t Make It
- Diversified Energy Closes $42 Million Summit Natural Resources Acquisition
- New Alternatives for Noise Reduction in Gas Pipelines
- Missouri Loses Control Over 1.5 Million-Mile Gas Pipeline Network as Feds Step In
- Enbridge Plans $2 Billion Upgrade for North America’s Largest Crude Pipeline
- South Dakota Governor Signs Bill Banning Eminent Domain for Carbon Pipeline
- Woodside May Delay Final Investment Decision on Louisiana LNG to Q2, CEO Says
