North America
US Coast Guard Investigates Source of 1.1 Million Gallons Oil Leak in Gulf of Mexico from Underwater Pipeline
The U.S. Coast Guard on Monday said it was still looking for the source of a leak from an underwater pipeline off the Louisiana coast in the Gulf of Mexico that it estimated had released more than a million gallons of crude oil.
TC Energy Receives FERC Approval for Virginia Reliability Project
Columbia Gas Transmission’s Virginia Reliability Project (VRP) is an expansion project that would replace two existing segments of the pipeline system to continue reliable and abundant natural gas supply.
Tankers Newly Sanctioned by US Supplied Russian Oil to India
Three oil tankers, newly sanctioned by Washington, regularly shipped Sokol crude from Russia's Far East to Indian Oil Corp., the country's top refiner, in recent months, according to ship tracking data from LSEG, Kpler and trade sources.
Texas Men Convicted in Attempted Sale of Iranian Petroleum, Face 45 Years in Prison
A U.S. jury has convicted two Texas men of trying to sell Iranian petroleum in violation of sanctions imposed by Washington and of conspiracy to commit money laundering, the Justice Department said on Friday.
ConocoPhillips' $8 Billion Willow Project Approvals Upheld by US Judge
A federal judge in Alaska upheld U.S. approvals for ConocoPhillips’ multibillion-dollar Willow oil and gas drilling project in the state’s Arctic on Nov. 9, rejecting environmental and indigenous groups' concerns that the project poses too large of a climate threat.
Cedar LNG Secures Exclusive FLNG Shipyard Deal with Samsung and Black & Veatch
(P&GJ) — Pembina Pipeline and Haisla Nation, partners in the development of the proposed Cedar LNG Project, have signed an exclusive agreement with Samsung Heavy Industries and Black & Veatch for shipyard capacity.
US Hydrogen Tax Credit Rule Faces 2024 Delay Amid Disputes Over Design
The Biden administration could push the release of a highly anticipated rule guiding the use of clean hydrogen tax credits into next year as Treasury officials struggle to resolve disputes between environmentalists and the industry over how "green" to make the incentive, according to two sources familiar with the administration's plans.
Energy Transfer, TotalEnergies Ink Deal for Crude Offtake from Blue Marlin Offshore Port
(P&GJ) — U.S. pipeline operator Energy Transfer said on Thursday it has signed a non-binding agreement to supply crude oil to French energy major TotalEnergies from its upcoming Blue Marlin oil export project.
Texas Regulator Assesses Over $1 Million in Fines for Oil, Gas Operators
(P&GJ) — The Railroad Commission of Texas assessed $1,063,647 in fines involving 342 enforcement dockets against operators and businesses at the Commissioners’ Conference on Nov. 15.
Russian Pipelines Facing Significant Pressure from Tightening Sanctions
(P&GJ) — The Russian pipelines’ sector is experiencing serious pressure amid ever tightening sanctions and the ever-growing isolation of the country in the international arena. Historically, pipelines have been a strategic asset in Russia, with the largest volume of cargo coming in the form of crude oil and natural gas.
Global News November 2023
Latest industry developments from around the world!
Biden Wants to Count Emissions Downstream of Pipeline Projects
(P&GJ) — The Biden administration announced its latest effort to throw a wrench in pipeline construction. The Biden Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) wants to roll back Trump administration pro-pipeline changes to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Editor’s Notebook: It Could Have Been Worse, Revisited
(P&GJ) — With its approval of the Willow Project on the North Slope Alaska early this year, along with its continued of drilling permits on federal lands, the Biden administration has begun to show at least some desire to play ball where oil projects are involved, much to the chagrin of the anti-fossil fuel forces.
Chevron Reviewing Options for East Texas Assets After Shale Acquisitions
Chevron Corp. said it is evaluating options for around 70,000 net acres of land in East Texas' Haynesville shale formation after pausing development earlier this year, with sources saying a full sale is one option under consideration.
DOE Rejects Repsol's Bid to Reopen Approval for Venture Global LNG Export Plant
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on Tuesday rejected for a second time oil major Repsol SA's request to reopen regulators' approval of Venture Global LNG's Calcasieu Pass export plant in Louisiana.
North Dakota Natural Gas Output Hits Record High in September, Flaring Edges Up
Natural gas production in North Dakota rose to a record 3.440 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in September from an all-time high of 3.313 Bcf/d hit in August, while gas flaring also edged up.
Pipeline Operators Increase Quality Checks Over Concerns of Metal Contamination in Texas Shale Oil
U.S. oil pipeline and export terminal operators are stepping up quality checks after finding an out-of-specification cargo that raised worries of excess metals contaminating Texas shale oil, operators and sources said.
US Plans to Buy 1.2 Million Barrels of Oil for Strategic Petroleum Reserve
The U.S. plans to buy 1.2 million barrels of oil to help replenish the Strategic Petroleum Reserve after it sold off the largest amount ever last year, the Energy Department said on Monday.
Exxon Moves Up Beaumont, Texas, CDU Overhaul to June 2024
Exxon Mobil moved up the start date for a crude distillation unit (CDU) overhaul at its 619,024 barrel-per-day (bpd) Beaumont, Texas, refinery from August 2024 to June 2024, said people familiar with the company’s plans.
M6 System Expansion Nears Completion, Set to Enhance Gulf Coast Connectivity
(P&GJ) — A critical aspect of the M6 system expansion is the completion of the New Generation Gas Gathering (NG3) project, expected in 2024. This project will add approximately 275 miles of natural gas gathering pipelines and 2.2 Bcf/day of capacity to premium Gulf Coast and LNG markets, playing a pivotal role in serving the Gulf Coast market.
Trans Mountain Resumes Pipeline Expansion Work in British Columbia After Addressing Regulatory Concerns
The Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion project on Tuesday said it had been allowed to resume work in a wetland area near Abbotsford, British Columbia, after correcting issues raised by the Canada Energy Regulator (CER).
Analysis: Challenges to CO2 Pipelines Pose Threat to U.S. Ethanol's Role in Green Jet Fuel Development
The U.S. drive to develop sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using ethanol could be slowed because of growing opposition to proposed pipelines that would curb greenhouse gas emissions from ethanol plants by capturing carbon dioxide and carrying it away to other states for storage.
TotalEnergies CEO Predicts Continued Gas Market Volatility Until New Supply Emerges
The CEO of French energy giant TotalEnergies said on Tuesday that the LNG market will continue to experience volatility until new supply is available, but prices are reasonable compared to 2022.
Freeport LNG Plant in Texas Set to Resume Operations After Monday Shutdown
U.S. liquefied natural gas company Freeport LNG's export plant in Texas was on track to return to service on Tuesday after all of its liquefaction trains shut on Monday, according to data from financial firm LSEG.
Chevron Takeover of Hess Resurrects Multi-Billion-Dollar Tax Shield
Chevron’s deal to buy Hess will unlock $15 billion worth of tax benefits that had once been relegated to the accounting dustbin, as the combined company takes advantage of Hess’s past losses to cut future payments, according to the company and tax experts.
EIA: US Shale Oil Output Expected to Fall in December
U.S. oil output from top shale-producing regions is set to decline in December for a second consecutive month, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said in its monthly Drilling Productivity Report on Monday.
US Needs More Pipeline Capacity for Reliable Gas Supply, INGAA Says
The U.S. needs more natural gas pipeline capacity to maintain reliable gas supply during extreme cold weather, a trade group representing pipeline companies said on Monday in support of regulators who last week urged sought new rules to prevent a repetition of last winter's power outages.
Mach Natural Resources to Buy Anadarko Basin Assets for $815 Million
Mach Natural Resources said on Monday said it will buy certain oil and gas assets in the Anadarko Basin in Oklahoma from privately-held Paloma Partners for $815 million in cash.
BKV, EnLink Start First Carbon Capture Project in Texas
Energy firms BKV and Enlink Midstream said on Monday the first injection of carbon dioxide at a carbon capture and storage (CCS) facility in Texas was completed ahead of schedule.
INGAA Responds to Winter Storm Elliott Report, Emphasizes Need for Enhanced Infrastructure
(P&GJ) — The recently released Winter Storm Elliott Report sheds light on the proactive measures taken by members of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) to uphold system integrity during the severe weather event.
- FERC Approves TC Energy's 1,377-Mile West Coast Pipeline Expansion
- Kinder Morgan to Buy NextEra’s 462-Mile Texas Pipeline System for $1.8 Billion
- Williams' Gas Pipeline in Idaho Ruptures, Company Challenges Explosion Allegations
- Biden Awards $7 Billion in Hydrogen Hub Money to 16 States
- Mountain Valley Pipeline Sues Protesters Hindering $7.2 Billion Construction Project
- UAE's ADNOC Awards $17 Billion of Contracts for Gas Project, Including Subsea Pipelines
- HVO: Fuel for the Future
- Analysis: Canada May Struggle to Recoup $26 Billion Cost of Trans Mountain Pipeline
- Biden Awards $7 Billion in Hydrogen Hub Money to 16 States
- TC Energy Names Ex-CEO as Chair of Oil Pipeline Business
