Regulation

Kinder Morgan-Backed Gas Pipeline Expansion Prevails in U.S. Appeals Court Decision

The Kinder Morgan-backed Evangeline Pass Expansion project would expand existing pipelines to feed more fuel to Venture Global's Plaquemines liquefied natural gas export terminal in the Gulf of Mexico.

U.S. Faces Natural Gas Shortfall as LNG Canada Terminal Nears Operational Phase

The start-up of LNG Canada, the country's first such export terminal, is likely to strain its natural gas supplies for multiple years and force producers to reduce exports to the U.S., where demand for the fuel is record high, companies said.

Energy Transfer Subsidiary Sunoco and NuStar Energy Merger Receives Green Light from Unitholders

The acquisition grants Sunoco access to NuStar's extensive transportation and storage infrastructure, encompassing approximately 9,500 miles of pipeline and 63 terminals.

U.S. Oil Executive Censure Puts Spotlight on Shale-OPEC Meetings

A U.S. regulator's censure of a top U.S. oil executive over private meetings with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) group of oil producers has put a spotlight on dinners attended by dozens of shale executives.

Railroad Commissioner Criticizes Biden's LNG Export Pause at House Committee Hearing

Commissioner Christian denounced President Biden's actions as election year politics, asserting that the pause on LNG exports would neither reduce emissions nor benefit allies, instead making energy more expensive and less accessible.

Oil Prices Rise on Prospect of U.S. Replenishing Strategic Reserve

Oil prices rose on Thursday on the prospect the U.S. may start buying crude for its petroleum reserve, after prices sank to a seven-week low on hopes for an Israel-Gaza ceasefire, doubts about U.S. interest rate cuts and swelling oil inventories.

U.S. State Dept. Clears Oil Service Firm SLB of Russia Sanction Violations

The U.S. State Department believes oil services firm SLB has not violated sanctions against Russia and the company has been told what Washington is willing to accept, Assistant Secretary of State Geoffrey Pyatt told Reuters in an interview on Wednesday.

Trans Mountain Pipeline Begins Operations After Years of Delays and $25 Billion Investment

After 12 years and $25 billion, Canada's Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project began commercial oil shipments on Wednesday, a major milestone expected to transform access to global markets for the country's producers.

Enterprise Products Targets Year-End Approval for Deepwater Oil Port

Enterprise Products Partners on Tuesday said it expects to have two contracts for its proposed deepwater oil export terminal by May 31 and reach a final investment decision before year-end.

Enbridge Picks Contractors for Great Lakes Tunnel Project, Securing Line 5 Pipeline Route

Enbridge has chosen contractors for its Great Lakes Tunnel Project, a move designed to secure the pathway for its Line 5 pipeline. The project aims to enhance safety by placing the pipeline deep below the Straits of Mackinac, mitigating environmental risks.

Colorado Oil Producers Face New Production Fee in Compromise Deal

Colorado's oil producers are bracing for a new fee associated with their production as part of a compromise the industry reached with environmental groups that were pushing for more stringent regulations on drilling.

Diamondback Energy, Endeavor Face FTC Scrutiny with Second Request on $26 Billion Merger

Oil and gas firm Diamondback Energy said on Monday it had received a second request from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in connection with the $26 billion deal to buy privately-held Endeavor.

Trans Mountain Expansion Requires Six More Leave-to-Open Permits, Says Regulator

The Canada Energy Regulator has six leave-to-open applications left to consider for the 590,000 barrel-per-day Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project, a CER spokesperson said on Friday.

Security Concerns Drive Interest in Subsea Clamps

(P&GJ) — Increased concerns about energy security and the desire to support net-zero targets through innovative decommissioning projects are driving up demand for subsea clamps and connectors, according to pipeline technology specialist STATS Group.

Mountain Valley Pipeline Requests In-Service Approval as Completion Nears

(P&GJ) — The Mountain Valley Pipeline is on the verge of completion, with the company seeking federal approval to commence operations. Although some final touches are pending, the company has submitted a request to FERC to expedite the process and issue an order by May 23.

DOE, FERC Take Different Positions on LNG

Environmentalists hailed the announcement by the Biden administration at the end of January — which halted the further approval of LNG exports — calling it a big victory in their fight against climate change and the natural gas industry’s alleged contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.

Pipeline Industry Concerned About Methane Fee Proposal

Natural Gas industry groups are asking Congress to cancel the methane emissions fee, which goes into effect in March 2025, based on emissions in 2024.

Russian LNG Exports Could Stall Over Next Four Years Amid Sanctions Pressure

Russia's LNG exports could stagnate in the next four years under the two less-rosy of three Economy Ministry scenarios - a sign that Western sanctions might be cramping Moscow's energy plans.

Deepwater Port Struggles for Customers as Shale Oil Gains Slow

As U.S. shale oil boomed last decade, an oil pipeline company pitched an ambitious multi-billion-dollar export port off the Texas coast to ship domestic crude to buyers in Europe and Asia.

TC Energy Receives FERC Approval for Northwest Xpress Gas Pipeline Expansion Despite Opposition

(P&GJ) — TC Energy's plan to expand the capacity of its Gas Transmission Northwest Express pipeline by 150 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) received the green light from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on April 16.

Mexico Seizes Air Liquide's Hydrogen Plant at Pemex Refinery

Mexico expropriated a hydrogen plant at a Pemex state oil refinery that a previous administration sold to French firm Air Liquide, the government announced in an official gazette on Thursday.

Ceiling on Venezuela's Oil Output Growth Expected as U.S. Oil License Expires

The expiration of the widest U.S. license so far granted to Venezuela's oil and gas industry will put a ceiling on the South American country's slow crude production growth unless Washington grants enough individual authorizations to compensate, according to analysts and experts.

U.S. Considers Releasing More SPR Oil to Keep Gas Prices Low, White House Adviser Says

U.S. President Joe Biden will do what he can to ensure affordable gasoline prices, White House senior adviser John Podesta said at an industry conference on Tuesday, when asked about future releases of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR).

Dutch Senate Approves Law to Permanently Close Shell, Exxon-Operated Groningen Gas Field

The Dutch Senate on Tuesday approved a law to permanently close the Groningen gas field, following the government's promise that production will never be resumed to limit seismic risks in the region.

Texas Regulators Fine Freeport LNG for Environmental Breaches

Texas' environmental regulator has fined LNG exporter Freeport LNG $152,173 for violating state air pollution emissions rules for periods between 2019 and 2021, the company reported on Tuesday.

Biden Unlikely to Tighten Iran Oil Sanctions Following Israel Attack, Analysts Say

Iran's unprecedented missile and drone strike on Israel is unlikely to prompt dramatic sanctions action on Iran's oil exports from the Biden administration due to worries about boosting oil prices and angering top buyer China, said analysts.

Black & Veatch Receives Green Light for Canada's First FLNG Project

Black & Veatch, in collaboration with Samsung Heavy Industries, has received full authorization from Cedar LNG LP partners to commence construction of Cedar LNG's floating liquefaction facility in Kitimat, British Columbia.

Kansas City Fed Survey: Oil, Gas Activity Declines in U.S. Midwest, Rockies During Q1 2024

Oil and gas energy activity in Oklahoma, Colorado and the northern part of New Mexico fell in the first quarter of 2024, the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Missouri, said on Friday in its quarterly survey of energy activity.

U.S. Finalizes Big Reforms to Federal Oil and Gas Drilling

President Joe Biden's administration on Friday finalized a range of reforms designed to boost returns and address environmental harms from oil and gas drilling on public lands.

Oklahoma Attorney General Sues Enable and Symmetry Over Winter Storm Uri Natural Gas Price Hikes

(P&GJ) — Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has filed litigation against Enable Midstream Partners (Enable) entities and Symmetry Energy Solutions LLC, accusing them of artificially inflating natural gas prices in the aftermath of Winter Storm Uri.