National

CN, Canada’s national railway, said it plans to accelerate work on a US$33 million project to upgrade a 74-mile section of the Whitehall Subdivision line in Wisconsin. The upgrade between the towns of Wisconsin Rapids and Blair would allow increased car-loading capacity and train velocity for hydraulic fracture (frack) sand suppliers Badger Mining Corp., Preferred Sands of Wisconsin LLC, Atlas Resin Proppants LLC and Taylor Frac LLC. After the upgrade, CN would be able to transport heavier freight cars loaded with frack sand, up to a maximum of 286,000 pounds. CN, which began the work in 2012, plans to complete the project by December 2014, a year ahead of time.

A national trucking fleet has landed a Pennsylvania state grant for nearly $500,000 to support its development of a compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station in Beaver County, while Waco, TX-based Central Freight Lines Inc. recently purchased 100 CNG Freightliners trucks.

While natural gas prices have recovered to nearly $4.00/MMBtu, the National Energy Board (NEB) Thursday said Canadian gas producers are undertaking minimal drilling activity, as current prices do not cover the full costs of developing most prospects.

While natural gas prices have recovered to nearly $4/MMBtu, the National Energy Board (NEB) reported Thursday that Canadian natural gas producers are undertaking minimal natural gas drilling activity, as current prices do not cover the full costs of developing most natural gas prospects.

While natural gas prices have recovered to nearly $4/MMBtu, the National Energy Board (NEB) said Thursday that Canadian natural gas producers are undertaking minimal natural gas drilling as current prices do not cover the full costs of developing most natural gas prospects and U.S. shale development continues to displace Canadian gas exports.

China National Oil Corp. (CNOOC) has agreed with BG Group to take an additional stake in the Queensland Curtis LNG (QCLNG) project in Australia for A$1.93 billion. CNOOC also agreed to take an additional 5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG from BG Group. The deal will make BG Group the largest supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to China, the company said.

TransCanada Corp. has applied to Canada’s National Energy Board (NEB) for review and variance of the board’s late March decision on the pipeline company’s 2012-2013 restructuring proposal for tolls and service on its Canadian Mainline.

TransCanada Corp.’s first quarter earnings were positively impacted by the recent decision by Canada’s National Energy Board (NEB) on the company’s Mainline restructuring proposal, the company said Friday. TransCanada also pushed back the in-service date of its long-delayed Keystone XL oil pipeline to late 2015 from the previously planned late 2014/early 2015 due to regulatory delays.

National Oilwell Varco Inc. (NOV) COO Clay Williams said Friday the company is facing “headwinds” in North America on weaker-than-expected demand for pressure pumping and equipment.