Oil/Gas Pipelines
North Dakota panel will reconsider denying permit for Summit CO2 pipeline
North Dakota utility regulators, in an unusual move, granted a request to reconsider their denial of a key permit for a proposed carbon dioxide pipeline.
Biden restores states' and tribes' authority over waterways, including gas pipelines
The rule, which takes effect in November, reverses a Trump-era action that limited the ability of states and tribes to review pipelines, dams and other federally regulated projects within their borders.
Federal officials release draft environmental review of Dakota Access oil pipeline
The draft was released more than three years after a federal judge ordered the environmental review and revoked the permit for the Missouri River crossing, upstream of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s reservation.
Environmentalists lose latest court battle over Louisiana gas pipeline project
A panel of three appellate judges rejected multiple arguments against the project's permit in a 26-page ruling, saying the Corps had complied with requirements of the federal Administrative Procedures Act and the Clean Water Act.
Duke Energy methane emissions monitoring platform to receive federal funding
The company's current methane-monitoring platform – which has reduced recordable leaks by more than 85% since the beginning of 2022 – uses satellites, sensors and other cutting-edge technologies to detect leaks and measure real-time methane emissions on underground natural gas distribution systems.
Iowa utility regulators begin hearing on proposed Summit CO2 pipeline
Summit Carbon Solutions’ proposed $5.5 billion, 2,000-mile pipeline network would carry CO2 from 34 ethanol plants in five states to North Dakota for storage deep underground — a project involving carbon capture technology, which has attracted both interest and scrutiny in the U.S.
Federal court dismisses challenge to Mountain Valley Pipeline construction
The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, sided with lawyers from Mountain Valley Pipeline in dismissing challenges to the project by environmental groups over concerns about the pipeline’s impact on endangered species, erosion and stream sedimentation.
New permitting provisions in budget bill slight natural gas industry
(UI) — The natural gas industry greeted the permitting reform bill Congress passed, and President Biden signed last month with something short of enthusiasm. The permitting provisions in the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 had only glancing benefits for gas pipelines and were chiefly written to benefit wind, solar and electric energy deployment.
Wood delivers 2,000 miles of low carbon pipeline projects in North America
(UI) — Wood has announced that it is delivering concept and front-end engineering and design (FEED) studies for nearly 2,000 miles of onshore low-carbon pipelines in North America.
Pipeline companies to pay $12.5 million after oil spills in Montana, North Dakota
Two pipeline operators have agreed to pay a $12.5 million civil penalty related to crude oil spills in Montana and North Dakota. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Monday announced the settlement in a 2022 federal court lawsuit.
Oil pipeline construction breaches Minnesota aquifer for fourth time
Officials said Enbridge is working to fix the rupture, in which the layer of earth above an aquifer is punctured, causing the water to leak to the surface and possibly introducing pollutants.
Supreme Court allows construction to resume on Mountain Valley Pipeline
Work on the Mountain Valley Pipeline had been blocked by the federal appeals court in Richmond, Virginia, even after Congress ordered the project’s approval as part of the bipartisan bill to increase the debt ceiling. President Joe Biden signed the bill into law in June.
W.Va. asks Supreme Court to set aside ruling that blocks Mountain Valley Pipeline construction
West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey argued that the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, lacked jurisdiction to block the Mountain Valley Pipeline. In a statement Monday, he said any challenges to Congress’ action must be heard by a federal appeals court in Washington, D.C.
Cheniere Energy plans new natural gas pipeline for Sabine Pass expansion
Cheniere Energy’s Chief Operating Officer, Corey Grindal, said that the company is considering plans to build a new pipeline linking its Sabine Pass expansion project to other shale-gas infrastructure.
Federal investigators find leaking natural gas pipe fitting at site of Pa. factory explosion that killed seven
The older fitting had a known tendency to crack, and it was added to a federal government list of pipe materials with “poor performance histories” in 2007, the safety board said. But it was left in place during utility work two years ago and remained connected to the natural gas system.
Mountain Valley urges US Supreme Court to lift stays and resume pipeline construction
(UI) — Mountain Valley Pipeline LLC has submitted a request to the U.S. Supreme Court to lift stays issued by a federal court that had stopped work on a section of its West Virginia-to-Virginia natural gas pipeline.
New leak detection rules for pipelines proposed
(UI) — The federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has proposed major changes to its leak detection based not on concerns about safety but, rather, in order to reduce methane emissions related to their contribution to climate change.
ConocoPhillips facing $914,000 fine over Alaskan underground gas blowout
ConocoPhillips Alaska faces a potential $914,000 fine over what a state regulatory agency called a “shallow underground blowout” of a well that released natural gas at the company’s Alpine field on Alaska’s petroleum-rich North Slope last year.
Wellington City Council adopts digital map for underground infrastructure management
(UI) — The Wellington Underground Asset Map, backed by a $4 million investment, aims to revolutionize the installation and maintenance of buried infrastructure, including telecommunications cables, gas pipes, and other vital services.
Judge not inclined to shut down pipeline, pleads with Wisconsin tribe to work with oil company
A federal judge said Thursday he is unlikely to force an energy company to shut down an oil pipeline in northern Wisconsin, despite arguments from a Native American tribe that the line is at immediate risk of being exposed by erosion and rupturing on reservation land.
Consultants: Design issues, operations lapses led to big Keystone pipeline oil spill
Pipeline design issues, lapses by its operators and problems caused during its construction led to a massive oil spill on the Keystone pipeline system in northeastern Kansas, according to a report for U.S. government regulators.
Washington Watch: Congress unusually active on pipeline issues
(UI) — This could be one of the most impactful congressional years for the pipeline industry in decades. Besides the start of work on the next pipeline safety bill, the House passed a big energy bill (H.R. 1) by a vote of 225–204, with four Democrats joining Republicans in the affirmative.
Federal agency aims to reduce methane leaks with new natural gas pipeline rules
The proposal by the Transportation Department’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration would significantly improve the detection and repair of leaks from natural gas pipelines, keep more product in the pipes and prevent dangerous accidents, officials said
Enbridge to acquire underground natural gas storage for $295 million
Aitken Creek Storage is an underground reservoir located 75 miles (120 kilometers) northeast of Fort St. John, B.C., and is the largest and only underground natural gas storage facility in B.C., totaling 77 billion cubic feet of working gas capacity.
Shawcor expands spoolable composite pipe, underground fuel, water storage capabilities
Shawcor Ltd. will be expanding its Composite Systems segment production capabilities in the US with commitments for two new operating facilities. Capital expenditures for these operating facilities are expected to represent, in the aggregate, approximately $60 million across 2023 and 2024.
NV5 awarded $16 million utility gas pipeline design, support contracts in California
NV5 will provide engineering design, plan review, permitting support, and municipal consulting services for asset integrity management and pipeline improvements to support the safe and reliable delivery of natural gas.
Mountain Valley Pipeline loses water permit for West Virginia pipeline
A company building a long-delayed natural gas pipeline has lost a key water permit after a federal appeals court ruled that West Virginia didn’t adequately assess the impact of building the Mountain Valley Pipeline across streams and wetlands.
US cities win nearly $200 million in grants for pipeline upgrades
Federal officials announced the first $196 million of grants Wednesday in a $1 billion program to repair and replace aging and sometimes leaking natural gas pipelines across the country.
Mountain Valley secures water permits for pipeline project in Virginia
(UI) — The 303-mile proposed pipeline is permitted to pass through the state's streams and wetlands thanks to a permit issued by Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality, according to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Army Corps further delays decision on Great Lakes oil tunnel
The Army Corps' Detroit district office said it revised the schedule after receiving more than 17,000 public comments during an initial “scoping” period. The agency in December ordered Enbridge to redo measurement of wetlands that could be damaged from roads and structures for tunnel construction.
- City of Houston loses 30 billion gallons of water due to failing water infrastructure
- Tackle turnover with training
- Beyond drilling: Total Boring's commitment to excellence
- New permitting provisions in budget bill slight natural gas industry
- Biden restores states' and tribes' authority over waterways, including gas pipelines