NATURAL GAS
The U.S. ranks 5th out of 13 heavily oil-dependent countries that are highly vulnerable to global oil price fluctuations. On October 14, 2013, Securing America’s Future Energy and Roubini Global Economics released the Oil Security Index, which assesses the relative oil security of 13 countries including the U.S. The report emphasizes the need for active…...
The Senate has unanimously approved a bill to implement the U.S.-Mexico Transboundary Hydrocarbons Agreement aimed to facilitate offshore drilling cooperation in the Gulf of Mexico. On October 12, 2013, the Senate unanimously approved S. 812 to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to implement the 2012 U.S.-Mexico Transboundary Hydrocarbons Agreement. The agreement establishes a legal…...
The Alaska LNG project team has selected Nikiski as the lead site for the proposed liquefaction plant and terminal. On October 7, 2013, ExxonMobil, BP, ConocoPhillips, and TransCanada, announced the selection of Nikiski on the Kenai Peninsula as a lead liquefaction plant and terminal site for the Alaska liquefied natural gas (LNG) export project. Prior…...
EIA estimates show the U.S. is poised to become the world’s largest petroleum and natural gas producer in 2013, overtaking Russia and Saudi Arabia. On October 4, 2013, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released a comparative estimate of petroleum and natural gas production in the U.S., Russia, and Saudi Arabia, showing that the U.S. is…...
EPA will solicit public input for its proposed carbon dioxide emissions standards for existing power plants through a series of scheduled listening sessions. On September 30, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a schedule of 11 public listening sessions across the U.S. to solicit input for its proposed carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions standards for…...
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has proposed regulations that would authorize new LNG facilities in the state for the first time since a 1973 explosion. On September 26, 2013, the New York State DEC proposed regulations that would permit siting, construction, and operation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) truck fueling stations…...
Shell has selected Louisiana’s Ascension Parish as the potential site for its Gulf Coast natural gas-to-liquids facility. On September 24, 2013, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and Royal Dutch Shell announced selection of Louisiana’s Ascension Parish as the site for a proposed Gulf Coast natural gas-to-liquids (GTL) plant, a cost of least $12.5 billion. Shell will also fund…...
On September 18, the House Energy and Commerce Committee heard testimony from EPA and DOE officials on the Obama Administration’s climate change policies and continued the debate over the requirement to require Carbon Capture and Sequestration technologies in future sources. On September 20, the EPA released its draft rule to set national emissions limits on…...
DOE’s fourth LNG export approval comes just weeks after the previous (Lake Charles) approval, indicating an improved timeline for evaluating pending applications. On September 11, 2013, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced conditional authorization for Dominion Cove Point LNG LP to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) to non-Free Trade Agreement (non-FTA) nations. The authorization, subject…...
Freeport LNG has entered into long-term natural gas liquefaction tolling agreements with two Asian companies. On September 9, 2013, Freeport LNG Expansion LP announced that it has signed agreements with two Asian companies to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) from its proposed natural gas liquefaction and loading facility at Quintana Island, Texas. The two separate…...
NY Court of Appeals will decide whether state municipalities can use local zoning laws to ban hydraulic fracturing. On August 29, 2013, the Albany Court of Appeals announced its decision to consider two lawsuits challenging the authority of New York (NY) State municipalities to enact local zoning laws to ban oil and gas development using…...
EIA data shows 40 percent growth in oil and gas industry employment from 2007 through 2012, compared to one percent growth in total private sector employment. On August 8, 2013, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released a report comparing job growth in the oil and gas industry with total private sector employment growth, drawing on…...
