Infrastructure

California-based Clean Energy Fuels Corp. and Texas-based Dillon Transport have inked a multi-year fueling agreement and plan to open three more compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling stations.

Dominion Resources Inc. announced terms earlier this week for its midstream master limited partnership (MLP), which would own the Cove Point liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Maryland. Dominion said it expects to raise more than $400 million in an initial public offering (IPO).

Technology advances for natural gas vehicles (NGV) and traditional gasoline-powered engines are likely to push NGVs to become 10-15% of some transportation segments, such as heavy duty (HD) vehicles, by 2020, according to the chief technology officer (CTO) of Vancouver, BC-based Westport Innovations.

The prospect for substantial U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports and additional pipeline supplies being exported to Mexico raises questions about pricing mechanisms and the role of the Henry Hub, but it is still too early to determine what role, if any, Henry will have south of the border, an energy consultant with ICF International said Tuesday in Los Angeles.

In a development that could defuse the uproar over the proposed abandonment of the Midla pipeline system, and possibly give a boost to embattled U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu’s (D-LA) prospects for reelection, a Boston-based hedge fund has agreed to a preliminary deal to build a new natural gas pipeline to replace Midla.

With 58% of California now in exceptional drought conditions, the state’s source of hydroelectric power is down sharply, while reliance on natural gas-fired generation and renewables increased steadily during a dry period stretching back to 2011.

A state judge in Louisiana has ruled that a law passed earlier this year by the state’s legislature that prohibits state agencies and local governments from filing lawsuits against the oil and gas industry for damage to coastal wetlands does not apply to its main target, the South Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East (SLFPA-E).

Vector Pipeline LP is holding an open season for capacity that would potentially double its 1.3 Bcf/d pipeline, which now carries supplies between the Chicago Hub and the Dawn, ON, storage hub. The project, which would also retrofit the pipeline for bidirectional flow, would catch some of the burgeoning Appalachian Basin natural gas by accessing other pipelines.

Like other areas of the country with plentiful supplies, Texas is cashing in on natural gas use in vehicles and the fueling infrastructure that goes with them. The Railroad Commission of Texas reported that to date there has been $174 million invested in natural gas vehicles (NGV) and fueling stations to support them in the state.