Politics

The Biden administration has frozen awarding new oil and gas drilling permits, as well as leases on federal onshore and offshore property, for 60 days, likely heralding more permanent limits to be enacted down the road. The order mandating the freeze was signed by acting Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Scott de la Vega…

Expectations eased for a widespread winter freeze  LNG volumes were solid, but lower than January highs Spot prices sputtered amid mild temperatures Natural gas futures plunged on Tuesday after forecasts over the holiday weekend trended warmer for late January and early next month, diminishing prior expectations for a widespread winter freeze that would fuel robust…

Global exploration operators are ready to get back to business in oil and natural gas onshore and offshore, with the international players likely to shell out more funds this year than their Lower 48 compadres. Energy analysts in recent weeks have begun offering their takes on the likely pace of activity and potential capital expenditures…

The leader of the nation’s top oil and gas lobbying group didn’t mince words in condemning the actions of protesters who stormed the Capitol building on Jan. 6, and he made clear Wednesday that last week’s events would influence the industry’s decisions about political giving moving forward. Following the American Petroleum Institute (API) annual State…

The Mexican business environment for energy sector players could be hampered by plans to fold autonomous regulators and the competition watchdog into existing ministries. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said last week he was considering the move in a bid to save money to prioritize social spending as the economy reels from the impact…

Calls were escalating Thursday from lawmakers and major business groups, including the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), for President Trump to step down from office before his term ends on Jan. 20. A mob of Trump supporters on Wednesday stormed the U.S. Capitol, wreaking havoc and terror inside the hallowed halls of democracy. Four people…

Proponents of the natural gas, oil and renewable energy sectors all found something to like about a $2.3 trillion omnibus spending and coronavirus relief package passed late Monday by the House and Senate. The American Petroleum Institute (API) praised legislators for including several provisions from Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s (R-AK) American Energy Innovation Act, including parts…

President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. on Thursday unveiled his picks for the top climate and energy posts in his administration, leaving little doubt of an impending sea change in federal policy when he takes office on Jan. 20. The nominations and appointments comprise U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland (D-NM), Department of the Interior (DOI) secretary; former…

Mexico’s natural gas market continued to grow in 2020 despite the chaos wrought by Covid-19 and unease around the government’s state-centric energy policies, underscoring the molecule’s increasing importance to the local economy. Looking back, NGI’s Mexico GPI forecasts last year may have been wildly optimistic. The year started innocently enough, but it took a sharp…