Regulation
FACTBOX: Deals on the Rise in US Oil and Gas Pipeline Sector
The oil and gas pipeline business has seen increased consolidation this year as U.S. production grows and new pipeline permitting problems have made existing operators more valuable.
Latest Pipeline Security Initiatives Inside, Outside of NATO
(P&GJ) — Following the attack on the Nord Stream 2 Pipeline a year ago, NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg discussed the protection of critical infrastructure with NATO’s members. He made a special point of reaching out to German leaders and to Denmark’s defense minister, since this is the country closest to the damage.
US Pipeline Regulator Awards $15 Million Grants to Improve Safety
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) on Wednesday awarded $14.8 million in grants for pipeline safety training and technological research.
Berkshire Hathaway Maryland Cove Point LNG Export Plant Shut
The amount of natural gas flowing to U.S. energy firm Berkshire Hathaway Energy's Cove Point LNG export plant in Maryland fell to near zero on Wednesday, a sign that the plant likely shut for work expected to start on Sept. 21.
How Emissions Are Measured: Gas Concentration vs. Emission Rate
(P&GJ) — The U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) proposed a rule in May that included significant measures to reduce emissions from pipelines and other midstream infrastructure.
Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion to Disrupt Oil Flow to US, Boost Prices
Canada's Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion (TMX), which will nearly triple the flow of crude from Alberta to Canada's Pacific Coast beginning early next year, will shake up North America's supply by diverting barrels now mainly delivered to refiners and exporters in the U.S. Midwest and Gulf Coast.
U.S. Lawmakers Urge Biden to Revive Kurdistan Pipeline for Economic Relief
A new U.S. approach is needed to facilitate the re-opening of a pipeline between Iraq's northern semi-autonomous Kurdistan region and Turkey, a trio of U.S. congressmen urged President Biden in a letter seen by Reuters.
Japan's Mitsui to Comply with Arctic LNG 2-Related U.S. Sanctions
Japan's Mitsui said on Saturday it is committed to complying with restrictions in the wake of fresh U.S. sanctions related to Russia's Arctic LNG 2 liquefied natural gas project in which it holds a stake.
Budget Bill Permitting Provisions Slight Natural Gas Industry
(P&GJ) — The natural gas industry greeted the permitting reform bill Congress passed and President Biden signed with something short of enthusiasm to say the least.
Canada's Trans Mountain Oil Pipeline's Faces Hearing on Route Change Dispute
Canadian regulators on Monday kicked off a two-day hearing to weigh up a controversial route change request from the Trans Mountain expansion (TMX) project that has sparked Indigenous opposition and may lead to further delays for the key oil pipeline.
Editor's Notebook: Colorado’s Bold Initiative
(P&GJ) — The Colorado Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) recently adopted rules aimed at increasing repair inspections and leak detection at oil and gas facilities throughout the state. While these new guidelines do not affect midstream directly, there are implications for the sector due to the growing emphasis on carbon-capture and related pipelines.
Irish Planning Body Rejects Major LNG Terminal, Cites Climate Plan
Ireland's top planning body has refused permission for a major new LNG terminal, citing the government's greenhouse gas reduction targets, a possibly fatal blow to a project supporters say is essential to the country's energy security.
Trans Mountain Asks Regulator to Approve Oil Pipeline Tolls Despite Shipper Complaints
Trans Mountain Corp., the oil pipeline company owned by the Canadian government, asked a regulator on Thursday to approve the proposed tolls it wants to charge shippers, who have said they are too high.
US Contacts Oil Producers, Refiners as Gasoline Prices Rise
The head of the White House Council of Economic Advisers said that the U.S. Energy Department has talked to oil producers and refiners to ensure stable fuel supplies during rising gasoline prices.
Sources: Freeport LNG Cancels Four Cargoes Since Feedgas Intake Fell
Freeport LNG, the second-largest U.S. LNG exporter, has canceled four cargoes since its feedgas intake dropped below normal capacity, industry sources told Reuters on Thursday.
BP Commits to Germany with $11 Billion Low-Carbon Investment Push
BP plans to invest up to $10.7 billion in low-carbon fuels, renewables and EV charging in Germany by the end of the decade to rival local power firms, as competition over the energy transition of Europe's largest economy intensifies.
EU to Launch First Phase of World-First CO2 Border Tax
The European Union starts the initial phase of its plan for the world's first carbon border tax next month, requiring importers to report the CO2 emissions of products sold into Europe, such as steel and cement, or risk financial penalties.
EPA: Biden's Climate Act to Cut US Emissions by 2030 by 35-43%
The U.S. economy is on track to spew between 35% and 43% less carbon dioxide by 2030 from 2005 levels as a consequence of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), a U.S. government report released on Tuesday showed.
Trans Mountain Pipeline May Face 9-Month Delay Over Route Dispute
The Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion could be delayed by up to nine months if regulators do not approve a route deviation request, the Canadian government corporation building the project said in a regulatory filing on Monday.
South Dakota Denies Permit for Summit Carbon Solutions' 495-Mile CO2 Pipeline Segment
South Dakota's Public Utilities Commission on Monday denied a permit application from Iowa-based Summit Carbon Solutions to build 495 miles (796 km) of pipeline through the state to transport captured carbon dioxide from ethanol plants to an underground storage site.
Freeport LNG Feedgas Flows Drop Sharply, Raising Supply Concerns
Feedgas flows to Freeport LNG, the second-largest U.S. LNG exporter, dropped sharply over the weekend and were still down for the third day in a row on Monday, LSEG data showed.
Chevron Gambles on Untested Laws to Halt Australia LNG Strike Action
Chevron Australia no longer expects to reach a deal with unions and will instead pursue an untested legal strategy to stop industrial action at its Gorgon and Wheatstone LNG facilities as unions prepare for full-scale strikes.
Russia Finalizing Power of Siberia-2 Gas Pipeline Route to China, Novak Says
Russia is finalizing the route of the China-bound Power of Siberia-2 gas pipeline, which is intended to traverse Mongolia, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak wrote in the energy ministry's in-house magazine, published on Wednesday.
Tellurian Drops Equity-Ownership Condition for Driftwood LNG Project
Tellurian Inc. will sell LNG supplies to non-equity holders to bring its long-delayed Driftwood LNG project to fruition, Chairman Charif Souki said this week. The company plans to offer up to 11 million of its 27.6 MTPA output under offtake agreements to get Driftwood across the finish line.
US Army Corps Holds Off Endorsing Energy Transfer’s Dakota Access Oil Pipeline Alternative
On Friday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for Energy Transfer's Dakota Access oil pipeline. The statement evaluated five alternatives, including options like abandoning or rerouting the pipeline, but it did not make any recommendations.
South Dakota Rejects CO2 Pipeline Permit; North Dakota Project Seeks Reconsideration
(P&GJ) — In a recent development, South Dakota regulators have denied a construction permit for a carbon dioxide pipeline project. This decision closely follows a similar rejection by a North Dakota panel regarding another company's project.
Tellurian, Baker Hughes Collaborate on Driftwood LNG Phase 1 Equipment for 2027 Production
(P&GJ) — Tellurian Inc. and Baker Hughes have entered an agreement to supply eight main refrigerant compression packages for Phase 1 of the Driftwood LNG project.
Canada Oil Sands Carbon Capture Project Struggles to Get Key Contract
Canada is struggling to get a key tool in place for major carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects, said a representative of one of the largest such ventures, as the country seeks to launch incentives vital to cutting emissions from Alberta's oil sands.
EU Proposes Permanent Scheme for Joint Gas Purchases
The European Commission has proposed making the EU's scheme for joint gas purchases permanent, after demand exceeded expectations in the policy's first tenders to seek non-Russian fuel, a document showed, and officials told Reuters.
EIA Says Depleting US Crude Inventories Lift Oil Prices
U.S. commercial crude oil inventories have depleted by 34 million barrels since the middle of July, contributing to a sense the market is tightening and driving a recovery in spot prices and calendar spreads.
- 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
