Oil/Gas Pipelines
Supreme Court Reinstates Permit 12 but Excludes Keystone XL
The U.S. Supreme Court reinstated use of the Army Corps of Engineers' Nationwide Permit 12 but refused to allow use of the fast-track permit to resume work on TC Energy's Keystone XL project.
Judge Orders Dakota Access Pipeline Shut Down Pending Review
A U.S. District Court Judge has ordered Energy Transfer to shut down and empty its controversial 570,000 bpd Dakota Access oil pipeline within 30 days.
Developers Cancel Long-Delayed Atlantic Coast Pipeline
The developers of the long-delayed, $8 billion Atlantic Coast Pipeline announced the cancellation of the multi-state natural gas project Sunday, citing uncertainties about costs, permitting and litigation.
TC Energy Selects Michels Canada to Build Keystone XL Pipeline in Canada
Michels Canada has announced that the company has been selected by TC Energy to construct the Canadian portion of the Keystone XL pipeline.
PHMSA Proposal on Valves Proves Controversial
Flack is hitting the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) from all sides over its proposed rule to require automatic and remote shutoff valves on oil and gas pipelines. The February 2020 proposed rule from PHMSA attempts to implement mandates from both the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Congress.
Federal Court Decision Threatens Pipeline Work Around Wetlands
Pipeline construction in and around wetlands faces a major, new legal impediment, given the significant, mid-April decision by a federal district court in Montana.
U.S. Supreme Court Sides with Atlantic Coast Pipeline in Appalachian Trail Dispute
The Supreme Court on Monday paved the way for a critical permit for the Atlantic Coast natural gas pipeline to cross under the Appalachian Trail, siding with energy companies and the Trump administration.
Enbridge Finds Gaps in Protective Coating on Michigan Pipeline
Canadian pipeline company Enbridge reported it has discovered four spots on its subsea oil pipeline in Michigan's Straits of Mackinac where the protective coating has eroded away exposing the bare metal of the pipe.
Court Rejects Bid to Revive Cancelled U.S. Pipeline Program
More than 70 pipeline projects across the U.S. could be affected by a federal appeals court decision to deny a request from the Trump administration to overturn a lower court ruling involving the Keystone XL pipeline which halted a national permitting program.
PHMSA Allowing Enforcement Flexibility During Coronavirus Pandemic
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is giving enforcement latitude to pipeline operators during the coronavirus pandemic.
U.S. Judge Revises Environmental Ruling on Pipeline Permits
A U.S. Judge partially revised a ruling that blocked pipeline crossings below streams and waterways, allowing crossings for utility and maintenance projects but continuing to require permits for pipeline construction projects.
Texas Eastern Gas Pipeline Explodes in Kentucky
Enbridge responded to an explosion on Line 10 of its Texas Eastern system in Kentucky and said Tuesday that it has shut-in a section of the pipeline. Gas futures rose on the news.
MPLX Abandons Permian NGL Pipeline Amid Industry Downturn
MPLX LP said it is no longer pursuing a Permian-to-Gulf Coast NGL pipeline after the collapse in oil prices and said it will focus on expanding capacity on existing pipelines instead.
U.S. Court Cancels Permit for Keystone XL
The Keystone XL pipeline project suffered another setback after a U.S. court ruled against a key permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers allowing new energy pipelines to cross bodies of water.
Court Rulings Enhance Canadian Pipeline Outlook
Two Canadian court rulings since the start of the year may go a long way toward breaking bottlenecks that have stalled pipeline construction and expansion projects over the past decade.
Underground Construction and Related Industries Respond to Coronavirus
While much of North America hunkers down to wait out the coronavirus pandemic, essential workers at companies throughout the underground construction industry are continuing to deliver vital services to customers.
TC Energy Proceeds with Keystone XL After Alberta Commits $1.1 Billion
Construction on the Keystone XL pipeline could begin as early as this week after the Alberta government committed more than $1 billion to the project.
Phillips 66: Red Oak, Liberty, ACE Pipelines Deferred by Cost Cuts
Phillips 66 said the Red Oak Pipeline, Sweeny Frac 4 and Liberty Pipeline projects have all been deferred by cost-cutting efforts. A final investment decision on ACE Pipeline also was postponed.
Mariner East Pipeline Construction Suspended in Pennsylvania
New construction on the Mariner East pipeline project is being temporarily suspended after Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf ordered all "non-life-sustaining businesses" in the state shut down as coronavirus cases continue to rise, Energy Transfer said.
Electro Scan Completes Trial Project for new Pipeline Inspection Technology
Electro Scan announced that it has completed a trial project of its new pipeline inspection technology with Sydney Water, Australia’s largest water utility.
HammerHead Unveils Small-Pipe Extractor, Installation Systems
HammerHead Trenchless is introducing a small-pipe extractor for removing old steel gas service lines and installing new plastic pipe in one step.
Corrosion Blamed for 2018 Canadian Pipeline Blast
An explosion and fire in 2018 along an Enbridge Inc natural gas pipeline in northern British Columbia was caused by corrosion, Canada's Transportation Safety Board (TSB) said on Wednesday.
API Issues New Pipeline Safety and Sustainability Standard
The American Petroleum Institute (API) today issued a new standard for pipeline inspectors to enhance safety and sustainability during pipeline construction.
ONEOK to Expand Elk Creek Pipeline
ONEOK has announced plans to expand two of its natural gas pipelines by the end of Q1 2020, including the Elk Creek Pipeline.
Eversource to Acquire Columbia Gas of Massachusetts Assets for $1.1 Billion
Eversource Energy announced that it has reached an agreement to purchase the Massachusetts natural gas assets of Columbia Gas for $1.1 billion from NiSource.
Peru Gas Workers Unearth Centuries of History in Lima's Soil
For nearly two decades, workers for a company building gas lines across Peru’s capital have found themselves unearthing a treasure trove of history.
New Record for Gas Main Relining
With rehabilitation of a 620-foot-long segment of 42-inch-diameter gas main last summer, New Jersey contractor Progressive Pipeline Management (PPM) broke its own world record for the largest size natural gas pipe to be rehabilitated with Starline cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) liner.
Ameren Illinois Plans Natural Gas Pipeline Upgrades
Ameren Illinois said it will replace 12 miles of aging natural gas pipeline in two Illinois locations for a combined cost of $64 million as part of its planned system upgrades around the state.
Texas Railroad Commission Adopts New Pipeline Safety Rules
The Railroad Commission (RRC) of Texas has adopted new natural gas pipeline safety rules regarding the type of natural gas distribution pipelines that are allowed to be installed.
INGAA President and Industry Veteran Don Santa Announces Retirement
After nearly two decades leading the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA), Don Santa announced today that he will retire from the organization effective February 15, 2020.
- Authorities investigating trench collapse that killed worker in Ashburn, Va.
- NTSB publishes preliminary report on fatal gas pipeline explosion in Lexington, Mo.
- Mass. governor slams Trump for ‘dangerous delay’ of $50 million in lead pipe replacement funds
- Ditch Witch West sells first Bulldog trencher to speed up undergrounding work along West Coast
- Centuri awarded nearly $400 million for U.S. gas infrastructure work
- Maryland lawmakers push to curb BGE pipeline spending, citing safety and cost concerns
- Charlottesville, Va., to begin work on 24-inch water line for Rivanna River crossing
- Mass. governor slams Trump for ‘dangerous delay’ of $50 million in lead pipe replacement funds
- City of Albuquerque halts fiber optic construction in response to damage, complaints
- Pasadena, Calif., undergrounding project could take 500 years to finish