Regulation
Pause on Federal Drilling Could Hamper Economic Recovery, Create Foreign Dependence
President Joe Biden’s administration imposed a 60-day pause on oil and gas permits on federal land in what industry leaders are calling a fracking ban.
INGAA, API Laud Congressional Passage of PIPES Act
The Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) and the American Petroleum Institute (API) praised Congress for passing the Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act (PIPES Act) in the 2021 omnibus spending package.
Policy Implications for Satellite-Based Methane Detection
Regulatory processes on opposite sides of the Atlantic highlighted a critical climate protection challenge: How can the oil and gas industry – and the regulators who oversee it – best detect and address methane emissions to protect the environment and the climate in particular?
EU Lawmakers Expected to Vote to Block Nord Stream 2
European Union lawmakers are expected to support a resolution to stop the completion of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to take Russian natural gas to Europe, in response to the arrest of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.
German Regulator Awaits Detailed Complaints Against Nord Stream 2
Opponents still need to give detailed reasons to justify a halt on Nord Stream 2's construction in German waters.
Army Corps on Hot Seat over Changes to Pipeline Approvals
With the arrival of the Biden administration and the ascension of environmental concerns to provide a spike in political pressure, the Army Corps of Engineers may have to rethink its proposed changes to the nationwide permits it issues for all sorts of dredge and fill construction activities around wetlands, including gas and water pipelines.
Report Indicates Germany's Bilfinger Drops Out of Nord Stream 2 Project
The news comes as the U.S. Treasury Department on Tuesday slapped sanctions on a vessel helping to build the pipeline to take Russian natural gas to Europe via Germany.
Germany Responds to U.S. Decision to Sanction Russian Vessel Involved in Nord Stream 2
The United States has informed Germany that it plans to impose sanctions on a Russian pipe-laying ship involved in construction of the Russian-led Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany.
U.S. State Department Warns of Sanctions Risk on Nord Stream 2 Pipeline
The U.S. State Department this month told European companies which it suspects are helping to build Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline that they face the risk of sanctions.
NTSB Determines Cause of 2018 Fatal Gas Leak, Dallas Home Explosion
The NTSB determined that the ignition of an accumulation of natural gas that leaked from the gas main that was damaged during a sewer replacement project 23 years earlier, led to the explosion.
Nigeria Senate President Says Action Coming on Delayed Oil Reform Law
The measure, 20 years in the making, underpins everything from oil exploration to gas pipelines and fuel regulation.
Eased Federal Pipeline Regulations Published in Federal Register
The Federal Department of Transportation is set to ease regulatory burdens on the construction, maintenance and operation of pipeline systems, requiring fewer reports regarding leaks and incidents.
Analysis: New U.S. Army Corps' Stream Crossing Rules Could Hurt Oil/Gas Pipes
Finalized revisions to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Nationwide Permits program could cause problems for oil and natural gas pipelines, analysts say.
Azerbaijan Starts Gas Exports to Russia-Dominated European Market
Azerbaijan has started commercial natural gas supplies to Europe via the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), the energy ministry said , beginning its push into the lucrative energy market dominated by Russia.
Line 3 Pipeline Opponents Sue to Shut Down Minnesota Construction
Opponents of a pipeline project that crosses three states have asked a federal court to halt construction in Minnesota on allegations that U.S. Army Corps of Engineers failed to address several environmental issues when it approved a water quality permit.
Federal Officials Investigate Fiery Oil Train Derailment
U.S. federal and local authorities were investigating a fiery oil car train derailment north of Seattle, Wash., near where two people were arrested last month and accused of attempting a terrorist attack on train tracks to disrupt plans for a natural gas pipeline.
US Preparing New Sanctions to Impede Nord Stream 2 Pipeline
The United States is urging European allies and private companies to halt work that could help build the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline and is preparing wider sanctions on the Russian project in coming weeks, senior Trump administration officials said on Wednesday.
As Biden Cabinet Takes Shape, API Seeks Voice in Energy, Climate Policy
The American Petroleum Institute on Thursday reached out to the incoming Biden administration to collaborate on climate and energy policy, calling energy a non-partisan issue that modern life depends on.
Uzbekistan to Cut Gas Exports Amid Domestic Shortages
Uzbekistan will cut natural gas exports, which mostly go to China, because of domestic energy shortages, the Central Asian country's energy ministry said on Thursday.
Canada Unveils Hydrogen Strategy to Kick-Start Clean Fuel Industry
Canada unveiled a long-discussed hydrogen strategy on Wednesday, calling on investors to spur growth in a clean fuel sector that the government says could be worth C$50 billion ($39.2 billion).
Biden to Pick Former Michigan Gov. Granholm as Energy Secretary - Sources
President-elect Joe Biden is expected to pick former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm to be secretary of energy in his administration, two people familiar with the decision said
EU Proposes Funding Shift Away From Natural Gas
The European Commission on Tuesday proposed rules to restrict funding for natural gas projects and instead funnel cash into low-carbon technologies to meet climate goals.
Britain to End State Support for Fossil Fuel Sector Exports
Britain said it is ending state support for fossil fuel industry exports, and shifting government assistance to low-carbon and renewable energy projects abroad.
EU Leaders Clinch Deal on Tougher 2030 Climate Goal
European Union countries agreed to a new climate change target for the bloc on Friday after haggling through the night in Brussels, pulling the political trigger on a policy revamp to make every sector greener.
Trump Administration Rule Would Reduce Environmental Reviews of LNG Projects
The U.S. Energy Department issued a rule to exclude some licensing of LNG projects from environmental reviews that have been required by law, in a show of support for the fossil fuel industry.
Mexico Shuts Off Natural Gas Supply to Brazil's Braskem
Mexico has cut off natural gas supply to Braskem's Mexican operations, the company and government said, intensifying a dispute between President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and the Brazilian petrochemical company.
Enbridge Starts Construction on Line 3 Pipeline in Minnesota
Enbridge began construction on its Line 3 crude oil pipeline replacement in Minnesota on Tuesday, a day after state regulators approved the final permit for the $2.6 billion project amid legal challenges from lactivist and Indigenous groups.
Biden Plan to End U.S. Fossil Fuel Subsidies Faces Big Challenges
President-elect Joe Biden's promise to end U.S. fossil fuel subsidies worth billions of dollars a year could be hard to keep due to resistance from lawmakers in a narrowly divided Congress, including from within his own party.
Minnesota Gives Final Green Light to Line 3 Pipeline
Minnesota regulators approved the final permit Monday for Enbridge Energy’s Line 3 crude oil pipeline replacement across northern Minnesota, giving the company the green light to begin construction on the $2.6 billion project.
Norway's DNV GL Suspends Nord Stream 2 Work over U.S. Sanctions Fear
Norway's risk management and quality assurance firm DNV GL said it has suspended work on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project led by Russia's Gazprom for fear of being sanctioned by the United States.
