Indicated

As indicated this spring, Oregon LNG, the liquefied natural gas (LNG) import project proposed for the mouth of the Columbia River at Warrenton, OR, has switched to a bidirectional import-export project, filing with FERC to do so and signing an agreement with Williams’ Northwest Pipeline Co. to expand the capacity of lines bringing Canadian gas into the Pacific Northwest.

Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) has completed its first multi-asset transaction with Chesapeake Energy Corp. to acquire the profitable midstream businesses, closing Monday on the $2 billion acquisition of Chesapeake Midstream Partners LP (CHKM).

A bill to legalize and begin regulating hydraulic fracturing (fracking) passed the North Carolina House of Representatives on Thursday. It will return briefly to the state Senate before being sent to Gov. Bev Perdue for her signature.

The North Carolina Senate on Wednesday passed a bill to legalize hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and begin the process of creating a regulatory framework for the practice.

A bill that would legalize hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in North Carolina and lay the groundwork for its regulation tentatively was scheduled for a second reading Wednesday in the state Senate, one day after clearing a key legislative committee.

A state regulatory judge last Friday indicated that he is recommending that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) give a green light to a proposal to develop an underground natural gas storage field under a residential neighborhood in the southeast corner of Sacramento, but the assigned CPUC member has filed an alternative.

A judge in Delaware’s Court of Chancery has indicated that he will rule by March 6 on a request by El Paso Corp. shareholders to block a vote on the company’s sale to Kinder Morgan Inc. (KMI). Meanwhile, a deal to sell El Paso’s exploration unit to a private equity group was consummated Friday (see related story).

A judge in Delaware’s Court of Chancery has indicated that he will rule by March 6 on a request by El Paso Corp. shareholders to block a vote on the company’s sale to Kinder Morgan Inc. (KMI).

Although Ruby Pipeline operator El Paso Corp. had indicated Tuesday that a systemwide shutdown might be ended as early as Wednesday, the in-service date has been shifted to sometime between Saturday and next Wednesday. Ruby said a full assessment of the scope of necessary repairs has been completed, and the longest lead item is for replacement of the 42-inch block valve. The restoration of service depends on the time required to secure and install the replacement valve.