Community & Environment

Revisiting the Biggest Midstream Stories of 2024

(P&GJ) – In this final issue of P&GJ for 2024, the staff – with more than a little help from our readers – takes a look back at the sometimes-frenzied year for pipeline construction that was 2024.

Pioneer Energy Wins $6 Million DOE Grant for Flare Gas-to-Methanol Technology

Pioneer Energy has secured a $6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to adapt and demonstrate Emvolon’s gas-to-methanol technology aimed at reducing flaring and emissions in the oilfield. The demonstration will take place at an oil and gas facility in the Eagle Ford region of Texas.

AGDC and Glenfarne to Develop $44 Billion Alaska LNG Project, Including 807-Mile Pipeline

The Alaska state's Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC) entered into an exclusive agreement with developer Glenfarne to advance the Alaska LNG project, an AGDC spokesperson said on Friday.

Shell Faces Shareholder Scrutiny Over LNG Strategy and Climate Goals

Shell's plans to increase sales of liquefied natural gas (LNG) have been called into question by a major group of shareholders that has filed a resolution asking whether the strategy is compatible with a goal to cut carbon emissions.

Nicor Gas Launches First Renewable Natural Gas Interconnection in Illinois

Nicor Gas has announced its first renewable natural gas (RNG) interconnection with Air Liquide's largest RNG facility globally. The facility, located in Rockford, Illinois, converts biogas from the nearby Winnebago Landfill into energy via the Nicor Gas delivery system.

Steelhead LNG Files Lawsuit Against Cedar LNG, Pembina, and ARC Resources

Steelhead LNG, a Vancouver-based liquefied natural gas developer, has initiated legal proceedings in British Columbia against Cedar LNG, Pembina Pipeline Corporation, and ARC Resources Ltd., alleging unauthorized use of proprietary information related to LNG facility development.

Hexagon Agility Secures $11 Million Order for Natural Gas Modules

(P&GJ) — Hexagon Agility, a division of Hexagon Composites, has secured a $11.2 million order for its Mobile Pipeline TITAN 450 modules from a prominent U.S.-based oilfield services company.

Court Temporarily Halts Construction of Tennessee Pipeline

(P&GJ) — Environmental opposition continues to bedevil proposed pipeline projects, both at the state and federal level, and Kinder Morgan’s Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company’s Cumberland Pipeline project is the latest poster child.

Whiting Refinery Back to Normal Following Pipeline Leak, BP Says

BP's 435,000-barrel-per-day (bpd) Whiting, Indiana, refinery was operating normally following a leak from a pipeline that transports liquid material, the company said.

Texas Connector Pipeline Seeks Route Cuts, Compressor Upgrades in FERC Filing

Texas Connector Pipeline LLC has filed for approval to amend its Texas project, focusing on changes to routing and compression capacity. The revisions aim to improve the efficiency of the pipeline system in Jefferson and Orange counties, with a decision expected in 2025.

Biden Administration Warns of Risks in LNG Export Expansion, Cites Price and Emissions Concerns

The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden released a long-awaited study on the economic and environmental impacts of liquefied natural gas exports on Tuesday, saying the results underscored the need for a cautious approach to new permits.

Venture Global Produces First LNG at Plaquemines Plant, Edging Out Competitors

Venture Global LNG has produced its first liquefied natural gas from the Plaquemines plant in Louisiana, marking the first new U.S. LNG production in two years. The plant positions Venture Global as a leader in fast-tracked LNG development, with commissioning extending into 2027.

DOE Holds Up Louisiana LNG Approvals Pending FERC Reviews

The U.S. Department of Energy said on Tuesday it is not able to complete reviews of two liquefied natural gas projects in Louisiana until an independent regulatory body finishes its environmental assessments.

Northern Endurance to Launch UK’s First Carbon Capture Project

The Northern Endurance Partnership (NEP) has secured financial close for the UK’s first carbon capture and storage (CCS) project, set to store up to 4 million tonnes of CO2 annually.

Energy Transfer Reaches FID on $2.7 Billion, 2.2 Bcf/d Permian Pipeline

Energy Transfer has announced a final investment decision (FID) to build the Hugh Brinson Pipeline, a $2.7 billion intrastate natural gas pipeline designed to move Permian Basin production to key Texas markets and trading hubs.

Venture Global Challenges FERC's Call for Additional LNG Environmental Review

Venture Global LNG on Wednesday slammed a U.S. call for an additional environmental review of a proposed Louisiana LNG project as unnecessary, adding that it will be ready to begin construction once the project gets a final go-ahead.

Biden Administration Disburses Over $100 Billion in Clean Energy Grants as Term Winds Down

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration has awarded over $100 billion in grants created by its signature climate law, the Inflation Reduction Act, a senior administration official said.

Amazon to Pilot A.I.-Designed Material for Carbon Removal

Amazon.com Inc. plans to pilot a new carbon-removal material for data centers, which are at risk of worsening emissions from artificial intelligence systems they power, a startup behind the deal said.

Judge Dismisses $1.3 Billion Lawsuit Against Texas LNG Builders Over 2022 Explosion

A U.S. bankruptcy judge has dismissed two lawsuits seeking damages totaling $1.3 billion against Zachry Industrial Inc. and its joint venture partners stemming from an explosion that damaged Freeport LNG’s Freeport, Texas facility in June 2022.

Clean Energy, LA County Open Expanded RNG Station in Carson

Clean Energy and Los Angeles County have opened an expanded renewable natural gas (RNG) fueling station in Carson, California, powered by pipeline-supplied RNG.

Vision RNG Signs 20-Year RNG Deal with Waste Connections in Nebraska

Once operational in 2027, the facility will inject the RNG into a nearby pipeline, providing transportation fuel and other sustainable energy solutions across the U.S.

Optimizing Gas Analysis in Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage

As the global demand for energy grows, so too does the need to transition toward sustainable energy sources. For many process manufacturers, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) is a central part of their efforts to reduce emissions of one of the most prevalent greenhouse gases (GHGs), carbon dioxide (CO2).

U.S. Reports 13.5 Tons of Deadly Gas Released at Pemex’s Texas Refinery Last Month

In October, Pemex's Deer Park refinery in Texas released 13.5 tons of deadly hydrogen sulfide gas, resulting in the deaths of two workers and injuries to 13 others. The U.S. Chemical Safety Board is investigating the incident, focusing on maintenance practices and emergency responses.

INGAA Foundation Releases Environmental Inspector Best Practices Guide

The INGAA Foundation has released the Practical Guide for Environmental Inspectors, a comprehensive resource aimed at improving environmental oversight during the construction of gas and liquid facilities and pipelines.

INGAA Members Highlight Methane Emissions Progress in 2024 Climate Report

The Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) highlights progress in reducing methane emissions in its 2024 Climate Report. Members achieved a methane intensity of 0.075% in 2022 and exceeded key GHG commitments while maintaining safe and reliable natural gas delivery.

Anaergia Secures 10-Year Contract to Operate California’s Largest Organic Waste-to-RNG Facility

The Rialto facility, located in Southern California, is the largest organic waste-to-renewable natural gas (RNG) plant in North America.

Enbridge Line 5 Project Advances with DNR Permits in Wisconsin

Enbridge's Line 5 relocation project in Wisconsin moves forward with key permits from the DNR, including approvals for wetland and waterway impacts. The 41-mile pipeline reroute aims to address environmental concerns while meeting state and federal standards.

California Ends Spill Response at Chevron's Richmond Wharf, Investigation Ongoing

California officials have ended the spill response at Chevron's Richmond Wharf, but an investigation into the incident's cause is still ongoing. Authorities report no wildlife impacts have been observed so far.

Cheniere Energy Advocates for U.S. to Stay in Paris Climate Agreement

Top U.S. LNG exporter Cheniere Energy on Tuesday came out in favor of the United States remaining in the Paris climate agreement and complying with methane emissions restrictions, cautioning the incoming Trump administration against reversals.

Plains All American Agrees to Pay $73 Million to Settle California Oil Spill Lawsuit

The spill occurred after a pipeline, which ran across California's coastline, ruptured and spilled an estimated 126,000 gallons of oil into the ocean and on the beaches.