Regulation

Construction Report: Trump Policies, Thirst for LNG Could Bolster Expansion

While the global thirst for LNG continues to drive pipeline construction globally, the real questions for the new year concern a second Donald Trump presidency in the United States. Early analysis from those in the industry suggest the change of administration will be good for midstream.

Energy Transfer Wins New York Court Ruling in $150 Million Pipeline Fraud Case

A New York court has ruled in favor of Energy Transfer, rejecting fraud and breach of contract claims brought by Goldman Sachs and Canadian investors. The plaintiffs had sought $150 million in damages, plus interest, from an affiliate of the Dallas-based energy giant.

Editor’s Notebook: Better Days, Sure – but How Much?

Pipeline & Gas Journal Editor-in-Chief Michael Reed discusses how a potential second Trump administration could spur renewed investment in midstream, though challenges like permitting hurdles and production growth limits may temper expectations.

Venture Global Approved to Introduce Gas at Plaquemines LNG as Output Grows

Federal regulators on Tuesday gave Venture Global LNG permission to introduce natural gas into the seventh block of its Plaquemines plant in Louisiana as the company continues to ramp up production of the superchilled gas.

For Midstream, Welcome Trump Regulatory Changes Afoot

Last July 24, the five commissioners of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) journeyed up to the House Energy and Commerce Committee for what could have been a difficult hearing. The committee was controlled by Republicans.

FERC Reinstates Certificate for Williams' Transco Pipeline's Expansion Project

The U.S. energy regulator has reinstated the certificate for Williams Companies' Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line (Transco) on Friday, the company said on Monday, which would allow the expansion of the project.

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.

Trump Lifts Biden’s Freeze On Liquefied Natural Gas Exports

President Donald Trump issued an order on Monday for the U.S. to resume processing export permit applications for new liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects, part of an effort to raise U.S. energy output and dismantle his predecessor's climate policies.

Trump Administration Must State Its Position on Climate and Energy

In a speech to announce the U.S.’s Fifth Climate Assessment on Nov. 14, 2023—a report that was compiled by more than 700 climate scientists and thousands of contributors— President Joe Biden stated that the greatest existential threat to the U.S. and humanity is the “climate crisis.”

Report: Trump to Declare 'National Energy Emergency'

President-elect Donald Trump said on Monday he will declare a national energy emergency aimed at boosting U.S. oil and gas production and lowering costs for U.S. consumers.

PHMSA Modernizes Methane Detection Rules for Gas Pipelines

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has introduced a final rule aimed at modernizing leak detection and repair requirements for natural gas pipelines.

Trump to Exit Paris Climate Accord Again, White House Confirms

The decision would place the United States alongside Iran, Libya and Yemen as the only countries in the world outside the 2015 pact, in which governments agreed to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

API and States Sue to Reverse Offshore Oil, Gas Leasing Ban

The American Petroleum Institute has joined with the states of Alabama, Alaska, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi in filing a challenge to the Biden administration’s ban on new oil and natural gas leasing across millions of acres of federal waters.

$3 Billion Natural Gas Pipeline Expansion to Add 1.3 Bcf Capacity in Southeast Region

Kinder Morgan's proposed $3 billion South System Expansion 4 project aims to add 1.3 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas capacity across 279 miles in the Southeast, enhancing energy supply for homes, businesses, and manufacturing.

Trump Interior Nominee Advocates Aggressive Drilling on Federal Lands

Donald Trump's pick for secretary of the interior, Doug Burgum, said on Thursday he will vigorously pursue the president-elect's goals of maximizing energy production from U.S. public lands and waters, calling it key to national security.

Trump Plans to End LNG Export Permit Renewals, Sources Say

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump plans to abolish the requirement for some producers of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to seek export permit renewals, according to two sources with knowledge of the plan.

U.S. Proposes Tougher Safety Rules for Carbon Dioxide Pipelines

A U.S. regulator on Wednesday proposed new rules to strengthen safety requirements for carbon dioxide and hazardous liquid pipelines at a time when carbon capture technologies see increased adoption to fight global warming.

Trump Energy Pick Prioritizes LNG Expansion in U.S. Energy Strategy

Chris Wright, President-elect Donald Trump's pick to head the U.S. Energy Department, told U.S. senators in his confirmation hearing on Wednesday his first priority is expanding domestic energy production including LNG.

FERC Approves Kinder Morgan’s $72 Million Texas-Louisiana Expansion

Known as the Texas-Louisiana Expansion Project, the initiative aims to bolster firm transportation service capacity by 467,000 dekatherms per day to meet surging demand in the Gulf Coast region.

Dozens of Oil Tankers Drop Anchor After U.S. Sanctions Tighten

At least 65 oil tankers have dropped anchor at multiple locations, including off the coasts of China and Russia, since the United States announced a new sanctions package on Jan. 10, ship tracking data showed on Monday.

Tougher U.S. Sanctions to Limit Russian Oil to China, India, Boost Middle East Demand

Chinese and Indian refiners will source more oil from the Middle East, Africa and the Americas, boosting prices and freight costs, as new U.S. sanctions on Russian producers and ships curb supplies to Moscow's top customers, traders and analysts said.

U.S. Oil Imports from Canada Hit Record High Amid Tariff Threat, EIA Data Shows

U.S. crude oil imports from Canada rose last week to the highest on record, data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed on Wednesday, ahead of incoming U.S. president Donald Trump's plans to levy a 25% tariff on Canadian imports.

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.

U.S. Senate Panel to Hear Trump Energy Nominees Next Week

The U.S. Senate energy committee will hold nomination hearings for President-elect Donald Trump's picks for energy roles on Tuesday and Wednesday next week, the panel's chairman said on Thursday.

TotalEnergies to Pay $5 Million in U.S. FERC Natural Gas Manipulation Settlement

A unit of French energy company TotalEnergies agreed to pay $5 million to settle claims by U.S. energy regulators that it and some of its traders allegedly manipulated the natural gas market in 2009-2012.

Trump Plans Immediate Reversal of Biden's Offshore Drilling Restrictions

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said on Tuesday he will move quickly to revoke an offshore oil and gas drilling ban announced by outgoing Democratic President Joe Biden.

Trump Vowed Swift LNG Approvals, but Advisers Urge Patience to Avoid Legal Pitfalls

Advisers to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump are urging him to take a patient approach to restarting approvals for liquefied natural gas export licenses, fearing rapid approvals will only get overturned in court, according to two sources familiar with the discussions.

Sudan Resumes Oil Exports to Port Sudan, Lifts Force Majeure on Pipeline

Sudan has lifted a nearly year-long force majeure on the transport of crude oil from its neighbor South Sudan to a port on the Red Sea after security conditions improved, according to a letter seen by Reuters on Monday.

U.S. Oil Executives See Faster Permitting Under Trump: Dallas Fed

U.S. energy executives expect faster permitting times for drilling on federal lands under President-elect Donald Trump, according to a Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas survey released on Thursday.

EPA Issues First Underground Injection Permits for Carbon Storage in California

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued its first Underground Injection Control Class VI well permits in California, allowing for carbon sequestration at a site in Kern County.