A workshop on how local fleets and oilfield operators can make better use of abundant Texas natural gas is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 17, at the Uni-Trade Stadium, 6320 Sinatra Parkway, in Laredo, TX. Area fleet managers and oilfield operators currently using natural gas are to discuss their experience and detail cost savings; regulators and legislators plan to outline available grants and discuss regulation to help increase use of Texas natural gas. The event is hosted by Railroad Commission of Texas Commissioner David Porter. Expected to attend are state Sen. Judith Zaffirini; and state Reps. Jason Isaac and J.M. Lozano. Representatives are expected from the city of Laredo, Texas Christian University, Aspro Compression Services, CNG4America, Green Energy Oilfield Services, Marathon Oil and Pioneer Natural Resources. Reservations to attend can be made online at the commission’s website.

W&T Offshore Inc. has been assessed a $2.33 million penalty for “knowing or willful submission” of false or inaccurate royalty reports for leases in the Gulf of Mexico. The Department of Interior‘s Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) assessed the penalty.The Houston-based producer had submitted transportation cost deductions on its offshore leases, which aren’t allowed to be deducted for royalties. ONRR issued an order in July 2010 denying the deductions, which W&T subsequently corrected and paid. “However, the company continued to deduct transportation allowances for these leases in subsequent years, even though the company knew those deductions were prohibited,” ONRR said.

FERChas approved an application from four subsidiaries of KKR Financial Holdings LLC (KFN) to acquire, operate and maintain the Index 301 Pipeline from Gulf South Pipeline LP [Docket No. CP14-51-000]. Because it “requires no construction of facilities and there will be no environmental impact, the proposal qualifies as a categorical exclusion,” said the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission order. The 5.917-mile 16-inch diameter pipeline traverses Mississippi’s Simpson and Smith counties. KFN requested a Part 157, Subpart F blanket certificate in January (see Daily GPI, Feb. 4). KFN is externally managed by KKR Financial Advisors LLC, a subsidiary of KKR Asset Management LLC, which in turn is a subsidiary of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. LP (KKR). KKR recently closed on a $2 billion fund focused on development of unconventional oil and gas resources in North America (see Shale Daily, March 5).

Publicly available compressed natural gas (CNG) has been added to the multi-fuel plaza at Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City, according to the facility’s developer, Newport Beach, CA-based Clean Energy Fuels Corp. The CNG fueling resources will be used by a wide variety of fleet vehicle types, including refuse, heavy- and medium-duty, and cement trucks, along with shuttles and taxis serving JFK travelers, Clean Energy said. The facility will be open 24/7, accepting individual credit cards and fleet fuel cards. Clean Energy said it now is operating in “every international airport in the Northeast.” The company has more than 30 fueling stations in the greater New York City area, covering parts of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.