Regulation
Judge Sides with Enbridge Against Michigan to Send Pipeline Dispute to Federal Court
In a small victory for Enbridge, a judge ruled on Thursday that a state of Michigan lawsuit aimed at forcing the pipeline operator to shut down operations the Line 5 oil pipeline beneath the Straits of Mackinac in the Great Lakes will be heard in federal court.
US Officials Block Idaho-Wyoming Gas Pipeline Pending Environmental Review
(P&GJ) — Officials in the United States have blocked the approval of a natural gas pipeline from Idaho to Wyoming until additional environmental studies are completed.
EPA, Army Corps Double Team Pipeline Construction
(P&GJ) — The Biden Administration is at it again with its latest regulatory effort to stymie pipeline development. Three months ago, the Army Corps of Engineers suggested new restrictions on general pipeline repair Nationwide Permit (NWP) 12, in which there is minimal dredge and fill near Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS).
FERC Considers Pipeline Sales of ‘Responsibly Sourced Natural Gas’
(P&GJ) — The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) appears likely to approve the first application from a pipeline company to sell “responsibly sourced natural gas” (RSG) at a premium price.
Oil Industry Ready to Tap $430 Billion Climate Fund for Carbon Capture Projects
Tax credits in the $430 billion U.S. climate and tax bill set to be signed into law this week will kickstart carbon sequestration projects, say oil and gas proponents, offsetting startup costs for some of the anti-pollution initiatives.
Conceding to Manchin, US Climate Bill Eases Methane Fees on Oil Industry
The U.S. Senate climate bill’s fee on oil and gas industry methane emissions will cover less than half the sector’s releases of the greenhouse gas, thanks to concessions made to win over party holdout Joe Manchin, according to a review of the legislation and interviews with lawmakers that negotiated it.
PHMSA Strengthens Safety Requirements for Over 300,000 Miles of Natgas Pipelines
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) transmitted a final rule on Thursday that will strengthen the safety and environmental protection on more than 300,000 miles of gas transmission pipelines.
Manchin Appears to Have Secured Pro-Energy Side-Deal with White House
(P&GJ) – In addition to securing a commitment from President Joe Biden and the Democratic leadership that might enable the Mountain Valley Pipeline to be completed, Sen. Joe Machin apparently gained a side-deal that could have a far-reaching positive effect on energy projects.
Senator Manchin Secures Future of Mountain Valley Pipeline Project
Democratic U.S. Senator Joe Manchin has secured a commitment from President Joe Biden, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to allow the Mountain Valley Pipeline to be completed, his office told a CBS affiliate on Monday.
PHMSA Issues Notice of Limited Enforcement Discretion for Certain Gas Gathering Pipelines
The new notice specifies that PHMSA will hold off on pursuing enforcement action against operators for a further year (i.e., until May 17, 2024), but only for Type C gathering pipelines with lower outer diameters.
US Senate Bill Could Deal Significant Blow to Biden’s Anti-Drilling Pledge
U.S. President Joe Biden's vow to end federal oil and gas drilling could be axed by a $430 billion spending bill proposed by U.S. Senate Democrats. If it passes, it would effectively guarantee continued drilling rights auctions on federal lands and waters for at least another decade.
FERC OKs Natural Gas Pipeline Projects Aimed at US Exports
In the first quarter of 2022, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved three projects intended to increase U.S. natural gas exports via pipeline and as liquefied natural gas (LNG).
FERC Reviewing $160 Million Ohio Valley Connector Expansion
The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has issued a notice that it will conduct an environmental review of Equitrans’ Ohio Valley Connector Expansion (OVCX) project, a regulatory hurdle that if passed will bring the project closer to receiving authorization.
Russia's Gazprom Declares Force Majeure on Some Gas Supplies to Europe
Russia's Gazprom has declared force majeure on gas supplies to Europe to at least one major customer, according to a letter from Gazprom that will add to European fears of fuel shortages.
Russian Court Overturns Suspension on Caspian Pipeline Operations
A court in southern Russia on Monday overturned an earlier ruling suspending Caspian Pipeline Consortium's operations and instead fined it 200,000 rubles ($3,300), easing concerns about a global oil supply crunch.
Ukrainian Group Files Lawsuit Against Canada for Returning Nord Stream 1 Turbine
A group representing the Ukrainian diaspora said on Tuesday it was seeking a judicial review of the Canadian government's decision to return a repaired turbine to Germany that is needed for the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline.
Russia: Future of Nord Stream 1 Depends on Gas Demand and Sanctions
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that the future of the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline to Germany would depend on gas demand in Europe and Western sanctions against Russia.
Gas Gathering Pipeline Rules: A New Beginning
The need to regulate the more than 425,000 miles of natural gas gathering pipelines throughout the United States for the first time stems from more than governmental fiat. It is tied to the transformation of the energy industry in the 21st century and the pipelines that supply increasingly complex markets.
Canada's Trudeau: 'Very Difficult Decision' to Return Turbine for Russian Pipeline
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Wednesday that it was a "very difficult decision" to grant an exemption from sanctions imposed on Russia for the return of a repaired turbine needed for the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline.
Glick Renomination, Policies Become Converging Controversies
Some key decisions about federal pipeline regulation are coming to a head as the comment period for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) two draft policy statements closed and the Senate decides whether to renew Richard Glick’s chairmanship at FERC.
Trans-Foreland Pipeline Seeks Extension for Alaska LNG Import Project
Marathon Petroleum Corp.'s Trans-Foreland Pipeline Co. unit said it has yet to make a final investment decision to build the project because the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have worsened economic and logistical conditions.
How Operators Can Respond to PHMSA Gas Gathering Reporting Rule
A new gas gathering rule, issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), expands safety oversight to all onshore gas-gathering pipelines, with the intent to make all processes associated with pipelines safer.
Environmental Groups Attempt to Slow LNG Exports to Europe
Despite Biden’s commitment to get more U.S. LNG to Europe, environmental groups are trying to convince FERC to slow or kill export LNG facilities and pipelines that serve them on mostly environmental grounds.
Michigan Regulators Request More Information on Enbridge’s Line 5 Pipeline Tunnel Project
State of Michigan regulators on Thursday ordered Canada's Enbridge Inc. to file additional information on safety and engineering for its proposed Line 5 oil pipeline tunnel, describing Enbridge's current application as "deficient."
Cheniere Asks Biden Administration for Exemption from Pollution Rule
Cheniere Energy Inc. has asked the Biden administration to exempt it from a pollution rule under the U.S. Clean Air Act, arguing the limits would force the LNG exporter to shut for an extended period and endanger the country's efforts to ramp up supplies to Europe.
FERC Suspends Schedule for Venture Global’s Gas Plant, Pipeline Project in Louisiana
The U.S. energy regulator has suspended the environmental review schedule for Venture Global LNG's proposed CP2 LNG export plant and pipeline in Louisiana.
Kinder Morgan Gets FERC Approval to Offer Certified Gas Pooling on TGP System
Kinder Morgan subsidiary Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. LLC (TGP) has received approval from FERC to offer producer certified gas, or responsibly sourced gas, aggregation pooling service across the 11,760-mile pipeline system.
Supreme Court Limits EPA’s Authority to Regulate Carbon Emissions
In a highly anticipated but not unexpected 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on June 30, 2022, that the Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s authority under the Clean Air Act.
PHMSA Blocks Restart of Freeport LNG Plant Citing Unsafe Conditions
U.S. pipeline safety regulator PHMSA on Thursday said it found unsafe conditions at a Texas liquefied natural gas export facility and will not allow owner Freeport LNG to restart the plant until an outside analysis is complete.
Texas RRC Approves Rule to Ready Natural Gas Industry for Weather Emergencies
The Texas Railroad Commission (RRC), which oversees the state's oil and natural gas industries, approved a proposed weatherization rule to help protect Texans during emergencies that could occur any time of the year.
- Williams' $1 Billion Gas Pipeline Blocked by U.S. Appeals Court, Derailing Five-State Project
- Texas Waha Hub Gas Prices Plunge to Record Lows, Hit Negative Territory
- Williams Begins Louisiana Pipeline Construction Despite Ongoing Legal Dispute with Energy Transfer
- U.S. Buys Nearly 5 Million Barrels of Oil for Emergency Stockpile
- U.S. Appeals Court Strikes Down Controversial Biden Pipeline Safety Rules
- Report: Houston Region Poised to Become a Global Clean Hydrogen Hub
- Exxon Mobil to Start Gas Reserve Seismic Surveys in Greece
- LaPorte, Texas, Issues Shelter in Place After Altivia Plant Leaks Toxic Gas
- Texas Startup Endeavors Again to Build First Major U.S. Oil Refinery Since 1977
- Mid-Year Global Forecast: Midstream Responding to Demand from LNG Projects
