Regulation

Shell Urges DOE to Approve Energy Transfer’s LNG Export License Application

Shell PLC has submitted a letter to the U.S. Energy Department in support of Energy Transfer's request for a new license to export LNG to countries without free trade agreements with the U.S., saying the pipeline operator is a reliable gas supplier.

Williams Selected by DOE to Participate in Two Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs

(P&GJ) — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has chosen Williams to join two hydrogen hubs, one in the Pacific Northwest and another in Appalachia.

Suncor CEO Highlights the Challenge of Uncertainty in Canadian Energy Policy for Investors

Unpredictability in Canadian energy policy is scaring away capital investment in the sector, the CEO of one of Canada's largest oil producers, Suncor Energy, told a parliamentary committee on Monday.

Williams' Gas Pipeline in Idaho Ruptures, Company Challenges Explosion Allegations

The rupture occurred when an excavator operator accidentally damaged a 22-inch gas pipeline near Middleton. However, Williams contested the local authorities' account of the incident, asserting no ignition, fire, or explosion was connected to the occurrence.

Canadian Regulator Set to Decide on Trans Mountain Expansion Tolls

The Canada Energy Regulator (CER) said on Thursday it will make a preliminary decision on Trans Mountain Corp.'s proposed shipping tolls for its oil pipeline expansion project this autumn before holding a hearing on the tolls next year.

FERC Grants Venture Global Approval for Steam Generator Modifications at Louisiana LNG Plant

The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on Thursday granted Venture Global LNG permission to proceed with the heat recovery steam generator modifications at the Calcasieu Pass LNG export plant in Louisiana.

Seismologists Detected Blast-Like Waves Near Broken Baltic Sea Pipeline

Nordic and Baltic seismologists said that they had detected blast-like waves on Sunday when a Baltic Sea gas pipeline ruptured but that the data was not strong enough to determine whether explosives were involved.

Chevron Australia, Unions Make Progress in LNG Talks, Deal Remains Elusive

Negotiations over a stalled pay and conditions deal between Chevron and unions at its LNG facilities in Australia made progress on Friday but fell short of sealing an agreement to end months of labor disputes at the major export sites.

Finland to Restrict Access to LNG Port After Gas Pipeline Damage

Finland on Friday was tightening access to key parts of the country's Inkoo port, where a vessel to import LNG was installed last year, as part of efforts in the wider region to intensify security at energy installations.

U.S. Supports Finland, Estonia as It Probes Baltic Gas Pipeline Burst

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday the United States would support Finland and Estonia as they probe damage to a gas pipeline and a telecommunications cable under the Baltic Sea.

Pennsylvania Hydrogen Hubs Among Winners of $7 Billion in U.S. Grants

Two hydrogen hubs projects partially located in Pennsylvania- one in the mid-Atlanic region and one in the Appalachian region — will receive part of $7 billion in U.S. federal grants that will be announced on Friday, sources familiar with the plan told Reuters on Wednesday.

Venture Global Requests FERC Approval to Start Service at Louisiana Calcasieu LNG Plant Amid Customer Disputes

The startup of commercial service at that plant is the subject of several disputes between Venture Global and some of its customers, including units of European energy firms Shell, BP, Edison and Repsol.

Biden Administration to Unveil $7 Billion in Hydrogen Hub Grants Friday

The Biden administration is expected to announce on Friday the winners of $7 billion in federal grants to build out regional hydrogen hubs, Reuters reported.

Chevron Halts Gas Exports via EMG Pipeline from Israel to Egypt

Chevron has halted natural gas exports through a major subsea pipeline between Israel and Egypt and is supplying gas via an alternative pipeline through Jordan, industry and government sources said on Tuesday.

Israel Suspends Chevron's Tamar Gas Field Amid Hamas Attacks

Israel has suspended production at the Tamar gas field off its southern coast and will seek alternative fuel sources to meet its needs, the energy ministry said on Monday following three days of violence in the region.

RWE CEO Warns of Gas Supply Risks in Germany

Germany must speed up construction of gas import infrastructure to avoid supply squeezes, the CEO of the country's largest utility told news outlet WirtschaftsWoche, adding the risk of soaring energy prices had not been fully contained.

Tellurian Asks FERC for 3-Year Extension to Finish Louisiana Driftwood LNG Export Plant

U.S. energy company Tellurian Inc. has asked federal energy regulators for more time to build its Driftwood liquefied natural gas (LNG) export plant in Louisiana.

Equitrans Midstream and PHMSA Collaborate to Improve MVP Pipeline Safety

(P&GJ) — Equitrans Midstream, the operator of the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP), entered into an agreement on Oct. 3 with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to strengthen the pipeline's safety and regulatory compliance.

416-Mile Coastal GasLink Pipeline Project 98% Complete

(P&GJ) — TC Energy’s Coastal GasLink pipeline project is 98% complete, signaling the culmination of a significant milestone in the development of the 670-km (416-mile) pipeline, according to the company’s September construction update.

Projects September 2023

The Trans Mountain expansion project plans to call on oil producers to start filling the pipeline in the days ahead, the head of shipper Canadian Natural Resources said during a quarterly earnings call.

Non-Contact, Drone-Based Technology for Movement Assessment

(P&GJ) — Based on its R&D experience, Skipper NDT decided in 2019 to address pipeline geolocation and strain assessment using UAS. This effort has provided a 2.2-kg and a 160-cm wide embedded system that can be easily mounted on any UAS.

Residual Stress in Predicted Failure Pressure Calculation—Part 2

(P&GJ) — An objective was to determine residual stress values corresponding to target probabilities, such as the 90th percentile. Every reference reviewed reported maximum stress levels, but only one-third of the references presented other residual stresses as they vary with position in the pipe.

Democratic Lawmakers Urge Biden to Halt Carbon Pipeline Permits Amid Safety Concerns

The United States should not permit any new carbon dioxide pipelines until updated federal safety regulations are finished, a dozen Democratic members of Congress said in a letter sent to President Joe Biden on Tuesday.

Biden Angers All Sides with Scaled Back Offshore Oil Drilling Plan

The Biden administration's plan to slash offshore oil and gas leasing drew fire from both the fossil fuel industry and environmentalists on Friday, with energy companies saying it will raise fuel prices and greens saying it undermines efforts to stop global warming.

Freeport LNG Asks FERC to Authorize Texas Export Plant Restart

U.S. LNG company Freeport LNG sought permission from federal energy regulators to take more steps to return its export plant in Texas to full commercial operation.

Navigator CO2 Ventures Seeks Pause in Iowa Permit Process for 1,300-Mile Carbon Pipeline

Navigator CO2 Ventures has asked Iowa regulators to pause the permit application process for its carbon capture and storage (CCS) pipeline project that will run across five U.S. Midwest states as it awaits approval in Illinois, where its carbon storage site would be located.

US LNG Exports Slump in September as Plant Outages Pare Output

U.S. LNG exports in September decreased slightly compared to August, primarily due to maintenance outages at key gas-processing plants. Cheniere's Corpus Christi facility operated at reduced capacity for four days, while ongoing maintenance at Berkshire Hathaway Energy's Cove Point facility in Maryland also impacted LNG exports last month.

Turkey to Resume Operations of Iraq Oil Pipeline This Week

Turkey will restart operations this week on a crude oil pipeline from Iraq that has been suspended for about six months, Turkey's Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said on Monday.

Woodside Needs New Seismic Approval for Scarborough Gas Project

Australia's federal court on Thursday halted approval for Woodside to conduct seismic blasting under the seabed for its $12 billion Scarborough gas project after a legal challenge by an Indigenous woman.

Analysis: US Carbon Capture Pipeline Setbacks Reflect Challenges in Climate Fight

A series of permit rejections for two high-profile carbon pipeline projects in the U.S. Midwest could bode poorly for carbon capture and storage (CCS) as a widespread solution to climate change, reflecting deep-seated public concern about its risks and environmental impacts.