Environment

Stronger Storms Test Aging U.S. Offshore Oil Facilities

Stronger hurricanes threatening the U.S. Gulf Coast energy hub are elevating the risks of oil spills from damage to area refineries, oil platforms and subsea pipelines, experts say.

Making Hydrogen Work for UK’s Commercial Buildings

While domestic heat makes up more than half of the U.K. heat demand, commercial and industrial properties’ space heating, hot water and heat for cooking account for more than a quarter. Therefore, any conversion from natural gas to hydrogen in the national and local pipeline grids must cater to larger-scale commercial and industrial heating.

Energy, Manufacturing, Labor and Business Groups Urge Senate to Oppose Punitive Natural Gas Tax

The American Petroleum Institute (API) and 130 organizations across the natural gas and oil supply chain sent a letter to the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works opposing legislation that would place a fee on methane.

Infrastructure Bill Includes More Spending on Water Pipes, Sewers

The Senate infrastructure legislation provides major funding boosts to the drinking water and clean water state revolving funds, but congressional passage of the bill depends, apparently, on whether Congress also passes a second $3.5 trillion “social infrastructure” bill demanded by progressive Democrats in the House.

Exxon to Begin Certifying Some Shale Gas Emissions Amid Investor Pressure

Exxon Mobil Corp on Tuesday said it will begin measuring methane emissions from production of natural gas at a New Mexico facility, joining several shale gas producers seeking to provide the data to buyers.

U.S. Probing Nearly 350 Reports of Oil Spills in Wake of Hurricane Ida

The U.S. Coast Guard said on Monday it was investigating nearly 350 reports of oil spills in and along the U.S. Gulf of Mexico in the wake of Hurricane Ida.

China Approves $149 Million Coalbed Methane Pipeline Project

China's state planner has approved a 960 million yuan ($149 million) coalbed methane pipeline project linking the northern provinces of Shanxi and Shaanxi, the National Development and Reform Commission said.

Australia's Commonwealth Bank Taken to Court Over Oil and Gas Financing Policies

The case seeks documentation on projects including Santos' acquisition of the Barossa Gas Field, the Permian Highway natural gas pipeline in the United States, and Euronav NV "very large crude carriers,” the documents say.

Spire Could Get More Time to Operate Missouri STL NatGas Pipeline

Spire Inc. will likely get more time to keep its STL pipeline in Missouri operating after the environmental group that won a court decision requiring the pipe shutdown asked the court for more time, according to analysts.

Equinor Halts Oil Exports from Norway Terminal Due to Demonstration

Sture is a major export facility for crude, which arrives by pipeline from several offshore fields including Equinor's Oseberg, Lundin Energy's Edvard Grieg and Aker BP's Ivar Aasen, according to Equinor's website.

Centurion Pipeline Releases First Environmental Sustainability Report

Centurion Pipeline announced the release of its inaugural sustainability report, which outlines the company’s focus on environmental, social and governance initiatives.

UK Government Sets Out Strategy for a Hydrogen Economy

The British government launched a strategy to meet its goal of 5 GW of low-carbon hydrogen production by 2030 to replace natural gas in powering around three million homes, as well as industry and transport.

U.S. Treasury to Oppose Development Bank Financing for Most Fossil Fuel Projects

The Treasury said it would oppose upstream natural gas projects, but could support midstream and downstream natural gas projects in poor countries that meet the World Bank's International Development Association targets.

New York's Pension Fund to Review Oil Holdings, Axes More Coal Investments

Major investors have re-evaluated holdings in fossil fuel producers and prodded energy executives to reduce emissions. After completing its shale review, the New York fund plans to turn next to oil and gas pipeline and processing investments.

RWE CEO: Don't Expect Renewable Megadeals in Next Few Years

RWE, Europe's third-largest renewables player, does not expect large deals in the sector in the next few years, its chief executive told journalists after presenting first-half results.

Norway Should Reclaim Energy Regulation From EU, Eurosceptic Opposition Says

Centre opposed Norway's adoption of the EU's Third Energy Package in 2019 that liberalized markets by barring suppliers from controlling pipelines and power grids and creating the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators.

INGAA Welcomes Senate Passage of Bipartisan Infrastructure Package

The Senate’s vote to advance the INVEST in America Act, demonstrates that Congress can achieve bold energy and climate goals when it works on a bipartisan basis and collaborates with stakeholders, INGAA's CEO said.

Texas Railroad Commission Exceeds Legislative Target for Pipeline Safety Inspections

The agency had completed more than 1,800 pipeline safety special investigations by early August. The Legislature’s target measure for the agency is 1,200 accident and special investigations by the end of August.

U.N. Climate Report Urges Focus on Methane Reduction

In four decades of climate negotiations, the world has focused on carbon dioxide as the most abundant climate-warming gas. This year, scientists are urging a focus on methane as the best hope to stave off global warming.

Canadian Natural Sets New Emission Goals After Profit Beat

Canadian Natural said it is now targeting 50% reduction in methane emissions from its North America exploration and production business by 2030, from baseline of 2016.

Perspective: IEA’s Roadmap Shows Difficult Journey to Net Zero

Polarized responses to the International Energy Agency report on achieving net zero emissions by 2050 reveal the enormous challenges of the goal and differences about whether it is realistic in the timeframe.

Cross Carbon Ventures Announces Formation of Carbon Capture Development Partnership

CCV will leverage Svante’s innovative technology to capture carbon directly from industrial post-combustion flue gases to produce pipeline-grade CO2 for safe transportation and storage.

Texas Intrastate Whistler Pipeline Placed in Service

The Whistler Pipeline began full commercial service last month, providing approximately 2.0 Bcf/d of incremental natural gas transport capacity to the Texas Gulf Coast markets from the Permian basin, which will help ensure sufficient reliable gas takeaway and reduce natural gas flaring in the Permian basin.

Mexican Methane Leak Rate 'Alarming' for Climate Change, Report Says

To blame for Mexico's poor record are mostly high emissions at midstream facilities that gather, compress, and process the gas, the report says. Other culprits are venting and flaring.

Perspective: Why Green Hydrogen — Not Grey — Could Help Solve Climate Change

Green hydrogen is more expensive to produce, but it can be manufactured with zero emissions using renewable electricity to split water into oxygen and hydrogen. Globally, less than 2% of hydrogen is produced this way.

Canada's Quebec Rejects LNG Export Project, Citing Environmental Concerns

The Canadian province of Quebec on Wednesday rejected a liquefied natural gas export project for the Port of Saguenay, citing environmental concerns, in the latest blow to North American LNG development.

INNIO Jenbacher Launches Hydrogen-Ready Gas Engines

Most of the currently installed INNIO Jenbacher natural gas fueled fleet can be upgraded to operate with up to 25% volume of hydrogen in pipeline gas or converted from natural gas to 100% hydrogen operation.

PIDX Emissions Data Exchange Initiative Moves Emissions Reporting Forward

PIDX International, a professional standards organization comprised of energy industry leaders, announced that its emissions transparency data exchange (ETDX) project team is moving forward with scope 3 emissions reporting.

Perspective: Energy Pipelines Controversial Now, But One Helped Win World War II

Oil and gas pipelines have become flashpoints in discussions of climate change. From the Atlantic coast to the Dakotas, pipelines that would deliver fossil fuels to customers have sparked protests and legal challenges.

WBI Energy Begins Construction on ND Natural Gas Pipeline Project

WBI Energy, a subsidiary of MDU Resources Group, began construction this week on the North Bakken Expansion project in North Dakota. This natural gas pipeline expansion will have capacity to transport 250 million cubic feet of natural gas per day from the Bakken Formation.