Houston

The race to fill an open seat on the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) is down to two Republicans and two Democrats heading for runoff May 24. Meanwhile, the agency is mulling a slate of changes, including a name change, recently recommended by a state review panel.

The race to fill an open seat on the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) is down to two Republicans and two Democrats heading for runoff May 24. Meanwhile, the agency is mulling a slate of changes, including a name change, recently recommended by a state review panel.

The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that a Clean Air Ordinance enacted by the city of Houston in 2007 is preempted by the Texas Clean Air Act. Petrochemical, energy and business interests had been challenging the law for years.

The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that a Clean Air Ordinance enacted by the city of Houston in 2007 is preempted by the Texas Clean Air Act. Petrochemical, energy and business interests had been challenging the law for years.

Cheniere Energy Inc., its former CEO Charif Souki and his business partner Martin Houston can all agree that the United States will be the low-cost provider of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to an expanding global market for decades to come. And that might be the end of it.

Cheniere Energy Inc. co-founder Charif Souki and BG Group plc liquefied natural gas (LNG) veteran Martin Houston Tuesday announced the formation of Tellurian Investments, which will offer “mid-scale” LNG export projects along the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Mark G. Papa has been named chairman of Houston-based Oil States International Inc. following the resignation of Stephen A. Wells. Papa, who has served as a director since 2001, was chairman and CEO of EOG Resources Inc. from August 1999 until December 2013, when he retired (see Daily GPI,Dec. 18, 2014). The one-time Enron Corp. executive in 1999 took the Houston subsidiary, formerly known as Enron Oil & Gas, and built it into a natural gas powerhouse over his 32-year tenure. He also is a partner with Riverstone Holdings LLC. Papa has “given us very valued insights and commentary” since he came aboard as a director, CEO Cindy B. Taylor said. “I believe he is one of the greatest industry icons around.” Papa has a petroleum engineering degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a masters degree from the University of Houston. Wells is to continue to serve as a director and as a member of the nominating and corporate governance committee, subject to reelection at the May annual shareholders’ meeting.

Before the end of the year, a study of methane emissions in the natural gas vehicle (NGV) sector is expected to be released with the prospect of helping make or break the future of natural gas use in vehicular and other transportation.

More crude oil storage capacity is planned for Houston that would be able to accommodate supplies coming from the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford Shale, as well as from the Midcontinent, Gulf Coast and Canada, according to developers.