Pipelines

Mariner East Permit Modifications OK’d as Pennsylvania Regulator Calls for Public Outreach

Mariner East Permit Modifications OK’d as Pennsylvania Regulator Calls for Public Outreach

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has approved Sunoco Pipeline LP’s requests to modify permits at three horizontal directional drill (HDD) sites for its Mariner East natural gas pipeline system. The DEP announced the approval earlier this week, which alters the pipeline developer’s erosion and sediment control, as well as the “water obstructions and…

September 24, 2020
FERC Urged to Use Natural Gas Pipeline Reports in Assessing Reliability Risks

FERC Urged to Use Natural Gas Pipeline Reports in Assessing Reliability Risks

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has advocated for the use of natural gas pipeline operator reports and other information in helping FERC identify, assess and respond to risks to reliability. GAO was tapped by Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), who is a ranking member of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Sen. Sheldon…

September 24, 2020
October Natural Gas Futures Drop amid LNG Setback, Storms and Cooler Temps

October Natural Gas Futures Drop amid LNG Setback, Storms and Cooler Temps

Natural gas futures plunged on Monday as traders digested weaker liquified natural gas (LNG) volumes, potential demand destruction from a new tropical storm and forecasts for milder temperatures in the Midwest. The October Nymex contract settled at $1.835/MMBtu, down 21.3 cents day/day. It marked the first time since early August that the prompt month closed…

September 21, 2020
Q&A with Patrick Rau on Mexico’s Natural Gas Market Development

Q&A with Patrick Rau on Mexico’s Natural Gas Market Development

Editor’s Note: NGI’s Mexico Gas Price Index, a leader tracking Mexico natural gas market reform, is offering the following question-and-answer (Q&A) column as part of a regular interview series with experts in the Mexican natural gas market. This 39th Q&A in the series is with Patrick Rau, CFA. Rau is Director, Strategy & Research and…

September 19, 2020
EPA’s Rollback of Oil, Gas Methane Rules Paused by Court Amid Multiple Lawsuits

EPA’s Rollback of Oil, Gas Methane Rules Paused by Court Amid Multiple Lawsuits

A federal court on Thursday paused a rescission by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Obama-era regulations to curb methane emissions from the oil and gas industry. Swift legal action against the sweeping rule change had been promised by environmental advocates, and judicial intervention had been widely anticipated by experts. The U.S. Court of…

September 18, 2020
Vaca Muerta-to-Brazil Natural Gas Pipeline Said Financially Difficult to Pull Off

Vaca Muerta-to-Brazil Natural Gas Pipeline Said Financially Difficult to Pull Off

A potential natural gas pipeline hooking up Argentina’s Vaca Muerta shale formation to southern Brazil will cost about $5 billion and “pose financial challenges,” according to Buenos Aires-based Wood Mackenzie. “Southern Brazil remains the most attractive regional market for potential excess gas production from Argentina,” Wood Mackenzie principal Ignacio Rooney told NGI’s Shale Daily. However,…

September 17, 2020
Pennsylvania Orders Mariner East Reroute, Cites ‘Careless’ Actions by Sunoco

Pennsylvania Orders Mariner East Reroute, Cites ‘Careless’ Actions by Sunoco

Citing adverse impacts at a horizontal directional drill (HDD) site in southeastern Pennsylvania, the state’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has ordered Sunoco Pipeline LP to reroute part of its Mariner East (ME) system. Sunoco will need to “take all steps necessary, including the submission of appropriate applications and supporting materials for permit amendments,” to…

September 14, 2020

Enbridge Resuming Full Line 5 Oil Deliveries after Safety Review Finds No Leak Threats

Deliveries resumed Wednesday through both pipes in Enbridge Inc.’s 540,000 b/d Line 5 across the lake floor of the Straits of Mackinac in Michigan, after a safety examination shuttered one of the conduits for 11 weeks. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) allowed the Calgary-based operator to restore full capacity. The Michigan Circuit…

September 10, 2020
LNG Uncertainty Weighs Down October Natural Gas, but Better Pricing Seen for Winter, Beyond

LNG Uncertainty Weighs Down October Natural Gas, but Better Pricing Seen for Winter, Beyond

Natural gas exports, hammered by Hurricane Laura only days after reaching levels not seen since pre-Covid-19, were at the forefront of a steep decline in October forward prices during the Aug. 27-Sept. 2 period. The rest of the forward curve fared better, however, as the potential for further production decreases and stronger global demand this…

September 3, 2020
Permian Highway Construction Resumed After Suspicious Package Found at Texas Work Site

Permian Highway Construction Resumed After Suspicious Package Found at Texas Work Site

Kinder Morgan Inc. has restarted construction activities along the Permian Highway Pipeline (PHP), one day after contractors discovered a “suspicious package” at a work site in Blanco, in the Texas Hill Country. Kinder immediately halted work in the immediate vicinity and secured the area after the “device” was found. The construction area was thoroughly inspected…

September 3, 2020