Environment

Trump Revamps Key Environmental Law in Bid to Fast Track Pipelines

President Trump announced plans on Wednesday to expedite the permitting process for major infrastructure projects, including oil and gas pipelines.

Natural Gas Efficiency Programs Pay Off in Reduced Costs, Carbon Emissions

North American natural gas utilities have been spending nearly $4 million a day for programs to make customers more efficient use of the fuel. A new study shows those investments are paying off.

Guest Commentary: The Two-Front War on Pipelines

Pipeline opponents have raised their game, skillfully and aggressively scoring wins against projects on two fronts: in the courts and regulatory proceedings on both the federal and state sides.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to Appeal Dakota Access Shutdown

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has announced it will appeal a federal judge's shutdown order against the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Kinder Morgan’s Journey in Reducing Methane Emissions

The shale play revolution stretching across the United States has created a tremendous need for supportive infrastructure and, to date, Kinder Morgan has risen to that need and expanded its natural gas pipeline network to approximately 70,000 miles (113,000 km), with more growth planned to build new – and expand upon existing – assets.

Carbon Dioxide Pipelines Seen as Cost-Saving Measure in Troubled Times

By Richard Nemec,  Contributing Editor It was difficult to find a silver lining in the outlook of Occidental Petroleum Corp.’s CEO Vicki Hollub and her senior executive colleagues in early May when they prepared for the Houston-based mid-major’s first-quarter 2020 earnings conference call.  ..

U.S. Judge Rejects Latest Dakota Access Effort to Avoid Pipeline Shutdown

A federal court judge has rejected the latest request from Dakota Access to stay a shutdown order issued for the 570,000-bpd oil pipeline, allowing the company to appeal to a higher court.

End of an Era? Series of Setbacks Bode ill for Big Pipeline Projects

A rapid-fire succession of setbacks for big energy pipelines in the United States this week has revealed an uncomfortable truth for the oil and gas industry: environmental activists and landowners opposed to projects have become good at blocking them in court.

U.S. Court Orders Dakota Access Pipeline Shut, Emptied

A U.S. District Court has ordered Energy Transfer to shut down and empty its controversial 570,000 bpd Dakota Access oil pipeline within 30 days.

Michigan Regulators Deny Quick Approval of Enbridge Pipeline Tunnel

Regulators in Michigan have denied a request by Enbridge for expedited approval of its proposed Line 5 pipeline tunnel underneath the Great Lakes instead requesting a full review of the project.

Abandoned Oil Tanker off Yemen Coast at Risk of Exploding

An abandoned oil tanker less than four miles off the Yemeni coast is at risk of exploding releasing more than a million barrels of crude oil into the Red Sea according to UN officials.

Enbridge Restarts Line 5 After Maintenance Issues Causes Temporary Closure

Enbridge has restarted flows on a portion of its Line 5 pipeline in Michigan after maintenance crews discovered a support anchor had shifted from its original position prompting a temporary closure.

Exxon Cuts Guyana Crude Output to Avoid Flaring — Regulator

Due to problems with gas reinjection equipment at its Guyana oil field, Exxon Mobil has cut back production at the site in order to avoid breaching an agreement with authorities over gas flaring.

Canada's Trans Mountain Pipeline Restarts After Oil Spill

Canada's Trans Mountain Pipeline has been restarted after shutting on Saturday following an oil spill at a pump station in British Columbia.

U.S. Supreme Court Sides with Atlantic Coast Pipeline in Appalachian Trail Dispute

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Monday in favor of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, stating the federal government has the authority to allow the $7.5 billion natural gas pipeline to cross under the Appalachian Trail.

EQM Delays Mountain Valley Gas Pipeline to 2021

EQM Midstream has delayed the expected completion date of its Mountain Valley natural gas pipeline to sometime in early 2021 which could drive the cost of the project close to $6 billion.

Siemens, Total Partner to Develop Concepts for Low-Emissions LNG Production

Siemens and Total are partnering to develop new ideas for low-emission LNG production.

Federal Court Decision Threatens Pipeline Work Around Wetlands

Pipeline construction in and around wetlands faces a major, new legal impediment given the significant decision by a federal district court in Montana in mid-April.

U.S. Federal Appeals Court Rules Enbridge Line 5 Spill Plan Adequate

A federal appeals court ruled on Friday that an oil-spill response plan for Enbridge's Line 5 oil pipeline was adequate, reversing a previous decision from a lower court.

Illinois Rejects Bid to Delay Decision on Dakota Access Expansion

Regulators in Illinois have unanimously rejected an attempt by environmental groups to delay the expansion of TC Energy's Dakota Access Pipeline due to the coronavirus.

Enbridge Line 3 Replacement Project Faces New Delay Over Water Concerns

Enbridge's Line 3 replacement project is facing months of further delays after Minnesota regulators agreed to hold a public hearing this summer to discuss environmental concerns about the project.

U.S. Congressional Democrats Back Opposition to Dakota Access Pipeline

More than thirty U.S. congressmen and women have lent their support to an attempt by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to shut down the controversial Dakota Access oil pipeline while the Army Corps of Engineers conducts and environmental review.

U.S. EPA Moves to Curb State Powers to Deny Permits for Energy Projects

The head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency signed a new rule on Monday that will limit the ability of state governments to deny a critical permit to infrastructure projects in their states.

Court Ruling in Keystone XL Case Will Affect Other Major U.S. Pipelines

A U.S. appeals court ruling on Thursday in a case against the Keystone XL pipeline will likely have large effects on other major pipeline projects in the country.

Experts: Data, Flexibility Key in Crafting Methane Rules

Regulators in New Mexico are working with several groups, including oil and gas experts, to craft rules to help the industry to reduce methane emissions.

EQM Sees U.S. Mountain Valley Pipeline Service in 2020, Analysts Unconvinced

Equitrans Midstream is still optimistic that its Mountain Valley natural gas pipeline can be in service by the end of 2020. Industry analysts are not as confident.

Michigan Regulators Request More Detail on Enbridge Tunnel Proposal

Energy regulators in Michigan have rejected a proposal submitted by Enbridge for its Line 5 tunnel project requesting revised and updated information.

‘Greener’ Energy in Europe Points to Global Production Gap

The European Union is set to ratchet up its climate ambition, overhauling continent-wide regulation aimed at slashing greenhouse gas emissions.

Subsea UK Partners Team with Non-Profit to Protect Oceans

Subsea UK teamed up with one of the world’s leading non-profit ocean protection organizations to promote and support initiatives to prevent pollution of our oceans.

Crews Tackle Oil Spill at Alaskan TAPS Pipeline Terminal

Clean-up crews are working to contain and clean up an oil spill at the Valdez Marine Terminal on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, officials said on Wednesday.