Regulation
Editor’s Notebook: Is Rerouting Line 5 the Best Option?
(P&GJ) — In a ruling that could be interpreted as a split decision, a U.S. District Court judge has told Enbridge it can continue to operate its Line 5 pipeline through an indigenous people’s territory but must relocate a portion of the line by 2026.
Challenges to Biden's Carbon Plan Emerge from U.S. Power Sector
Edison Electric Institute has asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for revisions of the proposed power plant standards, which hinge on the widespread commercial availability of carbon capture and storage and low-emissions green hydrogen, adding the agency's vision was "not legally or technically sound."
Venture Global LNG Addresses Controversy Surrounding Delayed LNG Cargoes
Venture Global LNG responded strongly on Monday to allegations from certain customers such as BP and Shell regarding the delay in LNG shipments from its Louisiana export facility, accusing them of distorting confidential long-term agreements.
Canada Guarantees Up to $2.2 Billion in Fresh Loans to Trans Mountain Expansion Project
A Canadian government agency has guaranteed fresh commercial loans of up to $2.2 billion to the controversial Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project that has suffered repeated cost overruns.
North Dakota Regulator Rejects Summit Carbon Solutions Carbon Pipeline Application
The North Dakota Public Service Commission on Friday rejected a permit application from Iowa-based Summit Carbon Solutions to run 320 miles (514.99 km) of pipeline through the state to transport captured carbon dioxide from ethanol plants to an underground storage site.
US Pulls Back Offer to Buy 6 Million Barrels of Oil for Emergency Reserve
The Biden administration has pulled an offer to buy 6 million barrels of oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, an Energy Department spokesperson said on Tuesday, as oil prices are expected to keep rising after an output cut from Saudi Arabia.
Pipeline Operator TC Energy Plans to Complete Coastal GasLink Pipeline This Year
TC Energy's surprise plan to split the company last week accelerated a stock selloff. Still, shareholders bet the North American pipeline operator will finish the year on a higher note by completing the 670-km (416-mile) Coastal GasLink pipeline.
Criteria to Consider in Selecting Water Transfer Flow Meters
(P&GJ) — The oil and gas industry contains a complex number of flow applications, featuring a myriad of fluids and gases that challenge even the toughest of flow instrumentation. So, choosing the right flow meter for a water transfer application should be straightforward in comparison … right?
BP to Defend Its Rights to the Fullest in Venture Global LNG Arbitration Case, CEO Says
BP will defend its rights "to the absolute fullest" in an arbitration case against U.S. exporter Venture Global LNG for failing to supply contracted cargoes, CEO Bernard Looney said on Tuesday.
Equitrans to Begin Construction on Ohio Valley Connector Expansion Project
(P&GJ) — On Monday, FERC issued the Notice to Proceed, signaling Equitrans' imminent commencement of construction. The expansion project is designed to enhance deliverability on its Ohio Valley Connector pipeline, bolstering its capacity by approximately 350 MMcf/d.
Equitrans' 303-Mile Mountain Valley Pipeline on Track to Be Completed by Year-End 2023
U.S. energy company Equitrans Midstream on Tuesday said it still expects to complete the Mountain Valley natural gas pipeline by the end of the year despite being tangled in numerous court fights since construction began in 2018.
SwRI Tapping into Geothermal Energy Possibilities in Texas
(P&GJ) — Electric power generates the second-largest share of greenhouse gas emissions and includes emissions from electricity production used by end use sectors, such as industry. Nearly 80% of electricity in the U.S. comes from burning fossil fuels, mostly coal and natural gas.
Pipeline Companies to Pay $12.5 Million in Penalties After Spills in Montana, North Dakota
Belle Fourche Pipeline Company and Bridger Pipeline LLC that own and operate a network of crude oil pipelines in Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming have together agreed to pay a $12.5 million civil penalty relating to oil spills.
TSA Updates Cybersecurity Requirements for Pipeline Owners, Operators
(P&GJ) — The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced an update to its Security Directive regarding oil and natural gas pipeline cybersecurity. This revised directive will continue the effort to reinforce cybersecurity preparedness and resilience for the nation's critical pipelines.
Venture Global LNG's Calcasieu Pass 2 Project Gets Final U.S. Environmental Nod
Venture Global LNG's proposed Calcasieu Pass 2 project in Louisiana has received FERC's environmental approval, clearing the way for a final vote by the commission on expanding the company's natural gas liquefaction facility.
Supreme Court Approves Completion of 303-Mile Mountain Valley Gas Pipeline
The justices granted Mountain Valley Pipeline LLC's request to lift stays imposed by a lower court that had halted construction of a final short section of the 303-mile (488-km) natural gas pipeline. That section is a 3.5-mile (5.6-km) corridor through the federally owned Jefferson National Forest.
EQT in Deal with Energy Transfer Louisiana Lake Charles LNG Export Plant
EQT, the biggest U.S. natural gas producer, entered into an LNG agreement with U.S. energy firm Energy Transfer's proposed Lake Charles LNG export plant in Louisiana.
Canada Releases Framework to Phase Out Inefficient Fossil Fuel Subsidies
Climate policy analysts said the framework was an important step forward but fell short in continuing to allow government support for oil and gas projects that plan to reduce emissions through technologies such as carbon capture and storage (CCS).
US to Spend $700 Million for Oil and Gas Sector to Cut Methane Emissions
The U.S. government will provide up to $700 million in funding to monitor and reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sector, setting aside half of the amount for grants to states, two agencies said on Monday.
Managing Lost and Unaccounted for Gas Volumes
(P&GJ) — Lost and unaccounted for (LAUF) gas is a calculated value that compares the amount of gas coming into a system (purchased) to the amount of gas leaving that system (sold or otherwise accounted for). Although LAUF is often equated to leaking pipes and equipment, leaks generally only represent a small portion of the value.
Natural Gas Pipeline at Risk as Wildfire Sweeps Through Washington County
The Newell Road Wildfire has already destroyed several structures in the area and is threatening homes, farms, crops and livestock, solar and wind farms and a natural gas pipeline, county emergency officials said.
Natural Gas Connection Failure Investigated in Fatal Pennsylvania Factory Explosion
(P&GJ) — Federal safety inspectors confirmed Tuesday that natural gas seeped through a faulty connection at a Pennsylvania chocolate factory where a strong explosion destroyed one building, severely damaged another, and killed seven people
Cheniere Energy's Sabine Pass LNG Plant Returns to Normal
Cheniere Energy Inc.'s Sabine Pass LNG export facility returned to normal processing levels on Thursday following an outage at one of its units on Tuesday, Reuters reported.
Senate Backs Amendment Banning US Strategic Oil Reserve Sales to China
The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed an amendment to an annual defense bill on Thursday that would ban exports to China of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
Argentina Turns Away Gunvor-Chartered LNG Tanker, Citing Sanctions
A tanker containing LNG that originated from a Russia supplier and was loaded onto a Gunvor Group-chartered vessel off the coast of France was turned away this week by Argentine energy firm Enarsa, according to officials.
Cheniere Energy Plans to Build New Gas Pipeline to Feed LNG Expansion in Louisiana
Cheniere Energy Inc., the largest U.S. LNG exporter, says it may build a new pipeline to link its Louisiana expansion project to other pipelines in major shale-gas producing regions as it seeks to diversify its risk.
Guest Perspective: EJ and Civil Rights in U.S. Construction Projects
(P&GJ) — Since taking office two years ago, the Biden Administration has emphasized efforts to incorporate environmental justice considerations into federal agency permitting, funding and financial support decision-making.
Global Construction Update: LNG Markets, Resurgent China Kindle Pipeline Projects
(PGJ) — Global midstream markets continue to face near-term headwinds and economic uncertainties, but Europe’s rapid transition from Russian energy and projected higher demand in Asia continue to drive midstream expansion in those regions and others that supply them.
New Leak Detection Rules for Pipelines Proposed
(P&GJ) — The federal pipeline safety agency has proposed major changes to its leak detection, based not on concerns about safety but rather in order to reduce methane emissions based on their contribution to climate change.
Editor’s Notebook: Alaska’s Long Road Back
(P&GJ) — With the Biden administration’s recent approval of exports from a proposed LNG project and the rejection of a lawsuit challenging construction of related infrastructure, prospects may again be looking up again for the Final Frontier.
- Keystone Oil Pipeline Resumes Operations After Temporary Shutdown
- Biden Administration Buys Oil for Emergency Reserve Above Target Price
- Freeport LNG Plant Runs Near Zero Consumption for Fifth Day
- Enbridge to Invest $500 Million in Pipeline Assets, Including Expansion of 850-Mile Gray Oak Pipeline
- Williams Delays Louisiana Pipeline Project Amid Dispute with Competitor Energy Transfer
- Evacuation Technologies to Reduce Methane Releases During Pigging
- Editor’s Notebook: Nord Stream’s $20 Billion Question
- Enbridge Receives Approval to Begin Service on Louisiana Venice Gas Pipeline Project
- Russian LNG Unfazed By U.S. Sanctions
- Biden Administration Buys Oil for Emergency Reserve Above Target Price
