Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) plans to provide renewable natural gas (RNG) at each of its 25 utility-owned natural gas vehicle (NGV) fueling stations in its service territory in the southern half of California, and an additional six stations in San Diego County. The move follows approval by state regulators for a pilot program to purchase RNG and capture additional environmental credits. SoCalGas has issued a request for offer and expects to complete RNG gas purchase agreements for supplies of biomethane from landfills, wastewater treatment plants, food processors and dairies.

Xcel Energy’s Colorado utility customers will see lower natural gas bills beginning in 4Q2018 from a year ago while electricity bills will stay essentially flat, according to a filing to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. Typical residential rates will decline by an estimated 5.9% while small business customers will see a 7.4% cut. On the electric side, residential and small business rates are to increase about 10% from their current levels, but compared with 4Q2017, they would be about the same.

Austin, TX-based Drillinginfo, a software service and data analytics provider for the oil and gas industry, has bought Oildex to add to its recent purchases of PLS Inc. and 1Derrick. The Oildex transaction marks its first since private equity firm Genstar Capital became majority shareholder. The Oildex acquisition would allow Drillinginfo to continue expanding its exploration and production, and oilfield services businesses, management said. Oildex, a portfolio company of private equity firm Accel-KKR, provides financial automation solutions for the industry. Drillinginfo CEO Jeff Hughes said Oildex would help accelerate “our growth priority in the large mineral owner market.” Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Pointe LNG LLC, founded by the same executives who established Louisiana LNG Energy LLC, asked FERC to initiate a pre-filing process for a proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility in Plaquemines Parish, LA. The Pointe LNG project would be built on the east bank of the Mississippi River on 600 acres of leased property with more than 6,500 feet of river frontage, according to the New Orleans-based company’s filing at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The project would include a liquefaction facility, LNG storage, marine loading terminal and 6.6 miles of 36-inch diameter gas supply laterals. Pointe LNG anticipates filing a formal application at FERC by Nov. 2019. Assuming approval by July 2021, construction would begin in early 2022, with the project potentially in service in 2Q2025.

U.S.-based ExxonMobil Corp., Chevron Corp. and Occidental Petroleum Corp., which together represent 5% of global oil and gas production, have joined the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI). Other members include BP plc, Eni SpA, Equinor ASA, Petroleos Mexicanos, Royal Dutch Shell plc, Saudi Aramco and Total SA. Combined, the 13 members represent around 30% of production and supply close to 20% of primary energy consumption. The OGCI supports the United Nations’ global climate accord, aka, the Paris agreement, to reduce carbon emissions. Each member also commits $100 million to the OGCI Climate Investments fund.