Permitting

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice has issued an executive order (EO) requiring regulators to expedite permitting “for all projects” and prioritize permits for projects of “critical economic concern.” The order, which would cover Marcellus and Utica shale drilling and infrastructure, requires written reports be made to permit applicants explaining inaction on critical projects. It also establishes annual reporting requirements from the state development office to the governor and legislature about the progress of expedited permitting. Justice, a Republican, said the actions mirror President Trump. Trump signed an EO in 2017 to expedite major infrastructure permitting.

Five trade associations representing the oil and natural gas industry said that while they appreciate the Trump administration’s call for federal agencies to expedite the permitting process for infrastructure, additional attention should be brought to bear over a controversial provision of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA).

Eight months after President Trump called for the federal government to expedite its review and permitting of major infrastructure projects, 12 agencies agreed Monday to follow permitting timetables designed to complete the reviews within two years.

President Trump called on Congress Monday to pass an infrastructure bill that would generate at least $1.5 trillion in new investment over the next decade, with the federal government contributing $200 billion and a goal set to shorten the permitting process for infrastructure projects to two years or less.

U.S. land permitting is off to a hot start in November, standing at 2,106 as of last Friday (Nov. 10), but a seasonal slowdown may temper year-end results, Evercore ISI said Tuesday.

Kleinschmidt Associates reported that it has entered into a strategic alliance with Tom Russo of Russo on Energy, LLC to strengthen its natural gas and oil infrastructure and environmental services offerings. The company said Russo, who spent more than 30 years as a manager and energy analyst at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), will complement Kleinschmidt’s natural gas energy expertise in reducing permitting schedules and associated costs while addressing the permitting, engineering and biology associated with mitigation for natural gas, oil and natural gas liquids pipelines, and liquefied natural gas clients. Russo will work with Kleinschmidt Senior Vice President Scott Ault and Senior Project Manager Kelly Schaeffer on all oil and natural gas services projects. Currently, Russo and Kleinschmidt are conducting training on the company’s Pipeline Waterbody Risk Assessment tool and FERC’s hydroelectric project relicensing in Houston and Washington, DC, respectively.

Oil and natural gas permits to drill on U.S. land have risen “at least” 49% in every major oil producing state from a year ago, with activity also rising in the fringe areas of major shale plays, Evercore ISI said Tuesday.

U.S. land oil and natural gas permitting the first week of April once again got off to a hot start in Texas, Oklahoma, Wyoming and Louisiana, and while it’s been a bit sluggish elsewhere, commodity price stability should result in robust drilling activity as the year proceeds, Evercore ISI said Tuesday.

A Pennsylvania lawmaker has introduced legislation to ease one aspect of the state Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) permitting process.