Regulatory

Houston-based Fieldwood Energy LLC and its affiliates are seeking relief under Chapter 11, joining the growing list of U.S. oil and gas operators squeezed by the devastating impact of Covid-19. The Gulf of Mexico (GOM) giant, a portfolio company of private equity (PE) giant Riverstone Holdings LLC, was formed in 2013. A “comprehensive restructuring” is…

Federal agencies including FERC have been using outdated technical standards for permitting liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facilities, an issue that could compromise safety, according to a government watchdog. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) said in a report published Thursday the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the…

In a move that should keep the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) in operation for the time being, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit has stayed part of an order issued last month that would have required the crude oil system to empty pending further environmental review. However, in a decision filed Wednesday,…

Bernard L. McNamee, who earlier this year said he did not plan to seek another term at FERC, said Wednesday he intends to step down on Sept. 4. McNamee in January had indicated he would step down from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission at the end of his term, which expired June 30.  “Since I…

The Los Angeles (LA) City Attorney has filed 25 counts against embattled exploration and production operator AllenCo Energy Inc. for alleged environmental, health and safety violations at an oil production facility. The wellsite has been under scrutiny by the Department of Conservation’s California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM), which in March issued a remedial order…

Canadian natives gained a say in national supervision of pipelines and power transmission Wednesday, when the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) appointed its first formal Indigenous Advisory Committee (IAC). The IAC includes nine First Nations, Inuit and Metis representatives from Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan and Yukon Territory. Tribal associations chose three of the…

Texas oil and gas regulators are looking for ways to reduce natural gas flaring, a particular problem  in the Permian Basin, by providing incentives and requiring operators to justify why they need exemptions. Draft rules were approved Tuesday by the three-member Railroad Commission (RRC), and will now undergo a 30-day comment period. Chairman Wayne Christian…

Citing a seven-year-old state law, a labor-business trio led by Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) last Friday sued the California Energy Commission (CEC) in a state Superior Court in Orange County for allegedly dismissing natural gas as an energy option. Joined by the Utility Workers of America Locals 132, 483 and 522, as well as…

In the story California Cap-and-Trade Providing Billions to Utilities, the customer credits for Southern California Edison Co. (SCE) and Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) were misstated. SCE customers received $74 in credits spread over April ($37), May ($18.50) and June ($18.50). PG&E credits were $71.46 between April ($35.73), May ($17.87) and June ($17.86). NGI…