Morgan Evans

Texas regulators issued about 1,500 fewer oil and natural gas drilling permits in 2023 than in 2022, with December permitting continuing the downward trend across most of the state.  The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) issued a total of 669 drilling permits last month, up by about 30 from November’s count, but down by 200…

As policies incentivizing clean energy continue to mount, renewable natural gas (RNG) is poised for more growth, the scale of which could depend on the outcome of state and federal legislation.  The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) launched investments into alternative fuels, including RNG, in part because of the expansion of investment tax credits…

Aethon Energy has curtailed natural gas development in the East Texas portion of the Haynesville Shale because of low prices, according to joint exploration partner Black Stone Minerals LP.  Houston-based Black Stone said it received notice that the private exploration and production company was exercising a “time-out” provision under its joint agreements as natural gas…

Kinder Morgan Inc. (KMI) has finalized the $1.8 billion acquisition of NextEra Energy Partners LP’s South Texas Midstream LLC, securing natural gas pipeline and storage assets serving Mexico and the Gulf Coast.  “These assets integrate well with our existing South Texas footprint and extend our direct connectivity in the lean area of the Eagle Ford…

FortisBC Energy Inc. was sent back to the drawing board to supply a growing customer base after Canadian regulators rejected a proposal for a C$327 million ($285 million) natural gas pipeline.  The British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) in late December denied a certificate of public convenience and necessity for FortisBC’s proposed Okanagan Capacity Upgrade (OCU)…

North Dakota natural gas production fell slightly in October because of an early wintry blast, but benign weather in the last two months of 2023 could lead to “great numbers” for oil and gas output, according to the state’s Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) director, Lynn Helms.  Production averaged 3.4 Bcf/d in October, down 1%…

California regulators pulled the remaining subsidies offered for constructing buildings that rely on natural gas or propane in a move to support decarbonization and incentivize electrification.  After eliminating natural gas line extension subsidies for all mixed-fuel buildings in 2022, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) earlier in December struck electric line extension subsidies for new…

Natural gas utilities in Massachusetts will be required to first evaluate clean energy projects before expanding their systems after state regulators issued limits on local distribution companies (LDC). Former state Attorney General Maura Healey in 2020 called on the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to investigate potential pathways to phase out natural gas use…

Pennsylvania collected $174 million in impact fees from unconventional natural gas producers in 2023, a decrease from previous years because of lower natural gas prices and fewer wells, according to an estimate from the state’s Independent Fiscal Office (IFO).  The IFO last week issued the 2023 Impact Fee Estimate, which relies on preliminary natural gas…