Canada

ExxonMobil Corp. and Qatar Petroleum International (QPI) on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly evaluate unconventional natural gas and associated liquids resources in North America, as well as global opportunities for liquefied natural gas (LNG).

TransCanada Corp. has been ordered to cut tolls on its troubled natural gas Mainline for long delivery contracts but granted offsetting rights to charge as much as markets for transportation services will bear for short capacity bookings.

Canada’s federal Conservative government has deflected a first stab at obtaining special corporate tax breaks for liquefied natural gas (LNG) export projects, but supporters vow to keep on trying.

Over-abundant markets and fallen prices have gutted government natural gas royalties in both of Canada’s main producing provinces, Alberta and British Columbia (BC), according to accounts disclosed by their treasury departments.

Over-abundant markets and fallen prices have gutted government natural gas royalties in both of Canada’s main producing provinces, Alberta and British Columbia (BC), according to disclosures by their treasury departments.

Canada’s biggest pipelines were ordered Thursday to increase their recognized environmental cleanup liabilities by a collective C$1.5 billion.

Canada’s biggest pipelines were ordered Thursday to increase their recognized environmental cleanup liabilities by a collective C$1.5 billion.

Opponents of TransCanada Corp.’s proposed northern portion of the Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada running through parts of Nebraska argued last Thursday in state district court in Lancaster County that Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman lacked the authority to approve a proposed route for the project. In January, he approved a new alternative route (see Shale Daily, Jan. 23). Opponents of the project want Heineman’s decision voided by a district court judge because they allege a state pipeline siting act passed last year by Nebraska’s legislature is unconstitutional. The legislation gave the governor the ultimate decision on the route. At the end of last year Lancaster County District Judge Stephanie Stacy rejected the state’s attempt to have the lawsuit dismissed.

In an operations update Monday, San Antonio, TX-based Abraxas Petroleum Corp. said a recent Eagle Ford Shale well turned in solid initial performance. The company’s third well in the WyCross area has outperformed a previous top performer.