Regulation
US Backs Chevron's Subsea Pipeline Plan for Aphrodite Gas Field Amid Cyprus Dispute
Washington has weighed into a dispute between Cyprus and international companies led by Chevron over how to develop a giant offshore gas field, backing the U.S. company's plan to link it to neighboring Egypt, two industry sources and a U.S. source said on Friday.
Aliso Canyon to Store More Gas to Prevent Winter Price Spikes
California's utilities regulator on Thursday raised the inventory level of Aliso Canyon natural gas storage to prevent price spikes seen last winter, while seeking to wean the state off the facility that in 2015 caused the biggest gas leak in U.S. history.
Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Faces Further Delays Over Route Change Dispute
Trans Mountain Corp. fears that the expansion of its Canadian oil pipeline may be delayed further unless a regulator allows it to change its route in British Columbia, according to a First Nation that opposes the route adjustment.
Williams to Complete US Natural Gas Pipelines by 2024
(P&GJ) — Iowa regulators consider permits for the 'largest' CO2 pipeline; Williams is on track to complete two gas pipeline projects by the end of 2024; Pinnacle Midstream has doubled its Midland basin processing capacity, and more!
Guest Perspective Interview: Tackling CO2 Storage on the Gulf Coast
(P&GJ) — In this interview, Crescent Midstream CEO Jerry Ashcroft discusses his company's CO2 storage project near the Louisiana Coast, expected to accommodate up to 300 million tonnes of CO2, along with the associated new pipeline. The company presently possesses approximately 1,500 miles of pipeline within the Gulf Coast region.
First US Gulf Offshore Wind Auction to Fuel Region's Green Hydrogen Push
The U.S. Gulf Coast region, the nation's primary offshore source of oil and gas, has cheap electricity and lacks state mandates for renewable energy procurement, making it an unlikely place to expand one of the most expensive forms of clean energy.
ProFrac Secures Legal Win in Halliburton Patent Battle Over Electric Fracking Tech
Halliburton failed to convince a U.S. federal jury on Thursday that a unit of rival oilfield services company ProFrac infringed its electric-fracking patents. E-frac uses electricity from natural gas or power grids to drive pumps instead of diesel fuel.
Fatigue, Burst Tests Among Best Ways Assess Pipeline Welds
(P&GJ) — All over the world, the pipelines of large diameter and relatively thin wall thickness are used to transport hydrocarbons. These pipelines or piping systems are usually comprised of girth welded joints.
Equitrans Provides Root Analysis for 2022 Gas Leak at Pennsylvania Storage Facility
(P&GJ) — Equitrans Midstream Corp. has submitted information to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) regarding the root cause investigation and analysis related to the Rager Mountain Storage facility incident that occurred in November 2022.
Trans Mountain Seeks Last-Minute Route Deviation on Pipeline Expansion
The Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX) project has asked Canadian regulators for a route deviation on a 1.3-km (0.8 mile) section of pipeline in British Columbia, months before the 600,000 barrel per day project is due to start shipping crude.
US Regulator Aims to Improve Safety of Gas Distribution Pipelines
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) on Thursday proposed new measures to bolster the safety requirements of gas distribution pipelines.
Trudeau Stands by Trans Mountain Expansion as Strong Investment Amid Challenges
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Wednesday he was confident the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion was a solid investment and that interest is high among Indigenous groups who want to buy a share of the pipeline.
Key Hearing for 2,000-Mile Carbon Capture Pipeline Begins in Iowa
Iowa residents living along the route of the U.S.'s largest proposed carbon capture and storage (CCS) pipeline told state regulators they were worried about possible ruptures and land takings at the start of a hearing that will determine the fate of the project.
Residual Stress in Predicted Failure Pressure Calculation
(P&GJ) — Pipeline safety regulations require performing a calculation of the predicted failure pressure (PFP) of defects as part of an engineering critical assessment. Whether to include residual stress from pipe manufacturing, and selecting the magnitude of residual stress, can significantly affect the outcome of the PFP calculation. Guidance for accounting for residual stress is inconsistent.
Energy Transfer Seeks New LNG Export License After Extension Denied
Pipeline operator Energy Transfer on Friday requested a new and expedited export license for its proposed Lake Charles LNG plant in Louisiana, according to a filing with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
US Natural Gas Groups Oppose Federal Plan to Eliminate Methane Leaks
U.S. natural gas trade groups on Wednesday opposed federal pipeline regulators' proposed methane leak detection rules to address the climate-change crisis. The gas associations said extensive changes needed to be made to PHMSA’s proposal for it to be technically and economically feasible.
API and LEPA Release Comprehensive CO2 Pipeline Safety Guide
(P&GJ) — The guide, developed with input from the National Association of State Fire Marshals, helps operators advance a zero-incident safety culture by outlining best practices for CO2 pipeline safety and emergency preparedness.
German Government to Examine Finances of Private LNG Operator
The German government will examine the finances of Deutsche ReGas, the operator of a planned LNG terminal on the Baltic coast opposed by local authorities, it said in a response to a lawmaker seen by Reuters on Thursday.
Venezuela’s PDVSA Fails to Curb Oil Leaks, Gas Flaring Despite Pledges
Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA has failed to make any dent in its oil spill or gas flaring woes, despite nascent promises of environmental clean-up by President Nicolas Maduro's government, according to people within the company, industry sources and an internal company document seen by Reuters.
US Investor Group Clinches Tax Credit Deal for $1.5 Billion Renewable Power Acquisition
Invenergy Renewables, Blackstone and Canada's second-largest pension fund said on Wednesday they struck a deal with Bank of America to help buy wind and solar plants worth $1.5 billion, capitalizing on a new tax structure included in President Joe Biden's climate law.
Canada Reaches Out to Indigenous Groups About Trans Mountain Stake Sale
The Canadian government has reached out to Indigenous groups about potentially selling them a stake in the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project, edging ahead on its long-promised involvement of local communities in the controversial project, the finance minister's office said on Wednesday.
Montana Judge Rules State Policies Must Consider Climate Change in Fossil Fuel Projects
Montana is violating the rights of young people with policies that prohibit the state from considering climate change effects when it reviews coal mining, natural gas extraction and other fossil fuel projects, a state judge said Monday.
US Appeals Court Rejects Challenge to Mountain Valley Pipeline
A U.S. appeals court on Friday rejected a challenge to federal approvals for the Mountain Valley Pipeline, in a decision that likely ends legal fights over the construction of the $6.6 billion natural gas project led by Equitrans Midstream.
Australia Regulator Clears Way for Strike Vote at Chevron LNG Plants
Australia's labor regulator cleared the way for strike action at Chevron's Wheatstone and Gorgon LNG facilities if workers vote in favor of such a step, fueling concerns the country's exports could be cut.
US Awards $1.2 Billion to Oxy, Climeworks-Led Carbon Air Capture Hubs
The U.S. Department of Energy on Friday announced that projects in Texas and Louisiana to remove more than 2 million metric tons of carbon emissions per year will get over $1 billion in federal grants, a key step in scaling up direct air capture (DAC) technology.
Editor’s Notebook: Is Rerouting Line 5 the Best Option?
(P&GJ) — In a ruling that could be interpreted as a split decision, a U.S. District Court judge has told Enbridge it can continue to operate its Line 5 pipeline through an indigenous people’s territory but must relocate a portion of the line by 2026.
Challenges to Biden's Carbon Plan Emerge from U.S. Power Sector
Edison Electric Institute has asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for revisions of the proposed power plant standards, which hinge on the widespread commercial availability of carbon capture and storage and low-emissions green hydrogen, adding the agency's vision was "not legally or technically sound."
Venture Global LNG Addresses Controversy Surrounding Delayed LNG Cargoes
Venture Global LNG responded strongly on Monday to allegations from certain customers such as BP and Shell regarding the delay in LNG shipments from its Louisiana export facility, accusing them of distorting confidential long-term agreements.
Canada Guarantees Up to $2.2 Billion in Fresh Loans to Trans Mountain Expansion Project
A Canadian government agency has guaranteed fresh commercial loans of up to $2.2 billion to the controversial Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project that has suffered repeated cost overruns.
North Dakota Regulator Rejects Summit Carbon Solutions Carbon Pipeline Application
The North Dakota Public Service Commission on Friday rejected a permit application from Iowa-based Summit Carbon Solutions to run 320 miles (514.99 km) of pipeline through the state to transport captured carbon dioxide from ethanol plants to an underground storage site.
- 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
