MDN’s Energy Stories of Interest: Mon, Jul 21, 2025 [FREE ACCESS]
MARCELLUS/UTICA REGION: CNX receives state grant for mobile fueling units; GO-WV president Charlie Burd announces plans to retire in 2027; Northeast gas outflows decline on compressor outage as power demand up; OTHER U.S. REGIONS: Murkowski feels ‘cheated’ by Trump administration actions against wind and solar projects; Justice Department urges dismissal of Maryland climate lawsuits; NATIONAL: FTC retracts ban vs Hess, Pioneer leaders; Tax credits drive carbon capture deployment in our Annual Energy Outlook; Is the National Weather Service climate campaign collateral damage?; Oil price volatility and higher valuations cause M&A activity to slow; INTERNATIONAL: WTI flat as EU targets Russian refined fuels; EU slaps new sanctions on Russia and its oil trade; The 9 most important oil & gas pipelines in the world; Will oil demand hit 123 million barrels per day by 2050 as OPEC says?
MARCELLUS/UTICA REGION
CNX receives state grant for mobile fueling units
Washington (PA) Observer-Reporter
CNX Resources Corp., a Southpointe-based natural gas company, has been awarded a $300,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to acquire two mobile compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling units for its vehicle fleet. This funding is part of the DEP’s $3.4 million Alternative Fuel Incentive Grant program, which supports businesses, utilities, municipalities, and school districts in transitioning from older gasoline or diesel vehicles to cleaner alternatives like electric or natural gas-powered options. The initiative aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality across Pennsylvania communities. Other recipients include Giant Eagle, which received $300,000 for 15 CNG tractor-trailers, and Duquesne Light Company, awarded $78,750 for 13 electric pickup trucks and one electric passenger vehicle. The DEP estimates these grants will save 1.2 million gallons of gasoline annually, promoting sustainable and cost-effective transportation solutions statewide. [MDN: We suppose if the PA DEP is going to blow money, it might as well be on an M-U company or on companies that use Marcellus molecules. However, the fact remains that the DEP is blowing taxpayer money on an idiotic “alternative fuel” grant program.]
GO-WV president Charlie Burd announces plans to retire in 2027
Lewisburg (WV) West Virginia Daily News
The Gas and Oil Association of West Virginia (GO-WV) announced that its longtime President, Charlie Burd, will retire in 2027 after decades of impactful leadership in the state’s natural gas and oil industry. Having guided GO-WV through significant growth and a successful 2020 merger between the Independent Oil and Gas Association of West Virginia and the West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association, Burd leaves a legacy of integrity and advocacy. His career includes leadership roles at Hope Natural Gas Company and Dominion Energy, and he played a pivotal role in establishing GO-WV as the unified voice of the industry. GO-WV has initiated a national search for a new President to join in Fall 2025 as President-Elect, working alongside Burd to ensure a smooth transition. The ideal candidate will possess deep industry experience, policy expertise, and strong communication skills to champion West Virginia’s energy sector and maintain its status as a thriving energy hub. [MDN: Charlie has been a tireless advocate for shale energy in WV. We will be sorry to see him go.]
Northeast gas outflows decline on compressor outage as power demand up
RBN Energy
During the week ending July 15, Northeast gas demand rose to 19.1 Bcf/d, a 0.8 Bcf/d increase from the previous week, fueled by a 0.5 Bcf/d surge in power demand due to hotter-than-average weather, alongside modest 0.1 Bcf/d gains in residential/commercial and industrial sectors. LNG feedgas to Cove Point remained steady at 0.8 Bcf/d, while net outflows to other regions dropped by 0.6 Bcf/d to 14.7 Bcf/d. Reduced outflows were partly due to lower flows on TETCO’s 30″ line to the Gulf Coast, averaging 1.5 Bcf/d after a July 5 compressor station outage in Athens, Ohio, prompted a force majeure. This contributed to a 0.3 Bcf/d decrease in Southeast/Gulf corridor outflows to 9.2 Bcf/d and a 0.1 Bcf/d drop to the Midwest at 5.9 Bcf/d, while net inflows from Canada increased by 0.2 Bcf/d to 0.4 Bcf/d. [MDN: Using more of our own gas right here in the region is a good thing, leading to higher prices.]
OTHER U.S. REGIONS
Murkowski feels ‘cheated’ by Trump administration actions against wind and solar projects
Anchorage (AK) Daily News
Sen. Lisa Murkowski expressed feeling “cheated” after securing a 12-month tax credit extension for wind and solar projects in Alaska as part of a recently passed tax and spending law, only to see President Trump and his administration issue orders that appear designed to undermine these projects. Despite the “megabill” signed on July 4, 2025, offering Alaska benefits like a new royalty-sharing mechanism for oil revenue, Murkowski criticized a Trump executive order and an Interior Department directive requiring Secretary Doug Burgum’s personal approval for wind and solar activities on federal land, potentially stalling projects even on private land. She fears utilities may abandon renewable projects due to these signals, increasing reliance on costly LNG imports. Murkowski emphasized the importance of local wind and solar for Alaska’s rural communities, which face high energy costs, and plans to advocate to Interior and Energy officials to keep these projects viable. [MDN: Murkowski has always been a Democrat pretending to be a Republican. She absolutely MUST be primaried and removed at the next election. There is no room in the Trump GOP for green grifters like Lisa Murkowski. We’ve felt “cheated” by her for years, pretending to be a Republican when she isn’t.]
Justice Department urges dismissal of Maryland climate lawsuits
Forbes/David Blackmon
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has urged Maryland’s highest court to dismiss climate change-related lawsuits filed by Baltimore, Annapolis, and Anne Arundel County against major oil and gas companies, including BP, Chevron, and ExxonMobil. The DOJ, along with 24 state attorneys general led by Alabama and various trade groups, filed eight amicus briefs arguing that these lawsuits overreach by attempting to regulate global emissions through local courts, a matter they assert is governed by federal law. The lawsuits, dismissed by lower courts, seek compensation for alleged damages from global fossil fuel emissions, which the DOJ contends involve substantial federal interests and lack a unique connection to Maryland. Critics argue the cases rely on an overly broad interpretation of nuisance liability, potentially disrupting 150 years of Maryland case law. The ongoing litigation is seen as increasing energy costs until resolved by the U.S. Supreme Court. [MDN: We must move beyond this lawfare by the left against fossil fuel companies. Time to counter-sue against Big Green groups. At the very least, their tax-exempt status needs to be stripped. Make no mistake, it’s Big Green behind these lawsuits, not the political dunderheads at various cities and counties. They would not bring the lawsuits without the aid of Big Green lawyers.]
NATIONAL
FTC retracts ban vs Hess, Pioneer leaders
Rigzone/Jov Onsat
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) canceled its consent orders for the Chevron-Hess and ExxonMobil-Pioneer mergers, determining that these combinations would not harm competition, thus lifting restrictions that barred Hess Corp. CEO John Hess and Pioneer founder Scott Sheffield from holding board or advisory roles at Chevron and ExxonMobil, respectively. Initially imposed due to concerns about discussions with OPEC+ officials on production control, these restrictions were part of the FTC’s final consent orders issued before the government change in January 2025. The FTC, under the new Trump administration, reviewed and reversed these orders in March 2025, citing deficiencies in the original complaints, which failed to demonstrate antitrust violations under the Clayton Act or increased market concentration. Chevron completed its acquisition of Hess in 2025 after resolving an arbitration issue, and the FTC’s decision allows John Hess to potentially join Chevron’s board, while vacating Sheffield’s restrictions due to public interest, despite denying his petition for lack of standing. [MDN: Yet more blunders by the Biden autopen administration are corrected.]
Tax credits drive carbon capture deployment in our Annual Energy Outlook
U.S. Energy Information Administration – Today in Energy
The Annual Energy Outlook 2025 (AEO2025) introduces the Carbon Capture, Allocation, Transportation, and Sequestration (CCATS) module to model carbon capture through 2050, projecting an increase in CO2 capture at electric power and industrial facilities through the 2030s, driven by enhanced tax credits under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Capture peaks at 1.5%–3.5% of energy emissions in the late 2030s, ranging from 56 million metric tons (MMmt) in the Alternative Electricity case to 122 MMmt in the High Oil Price case, but declines post-2040 as 45Q tax credits expire. CO2 is sequestered in saline storage (peaking at 52 MMmt in 2040) and enhanced oil recovery (EOR, reaching 26 MMmt in 2044), with EOR supported by oil revenue post-credits. Capture remains a small fraction of emissions, peaking at 2.8%–15.6% in the electric power sector and 2.6%–3.9% in the industrial sector, with no significant bioenergy or cement capture projected. [MDN: Can we be honest here? Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) is dead. Stillborn. A nice idea when the global warmers ruled the roost. They no longer do, so it’s dead. Oh, it will still exist here and there. Carbon is used for oil drilling and other things, so it will always be around in a small way. But not in a big way as envisioned by the warmers.]
Is the National Weather Service climate campaign collateral damage?
Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow/Joe Bastardi
The article argues that the National Weather Service (NWS) is underappreciated due to NOAA’s focus on climate change, which the author considers a costly and misleading agenda that diverts resources from more valuable pursuits, including the NWS’s exceptional forecasting work. Written by a private-sector forecaster, the piece praises the NWS for its high-quality forecasts, which push competitors to improve, and highlights its role as a critical safety net for public safety. The author criticizes recent budget cuts to the NWS, arguing they were applied too broadly, potentially undermining vital research and development akin to defense priorities. While acknowledging the need to trim climate-related excesses, the author emphasizes that the NWS’s contributions, such as advanced tools and data, are overlooked by the public due to the politicized climate narrative. The article also draws parallels with NASA, suggesting both agencies’ core missions are compromised by climate hysteria, and defends the NWS’s value, likening it to a respected rival deserving recognition. [MDN: Excellent article from Joe Bastardi, a long-time meteorologist. We agree. Get the global warming hoaxers out of NOAA, but keep funding the NWS and its work.]
Oil price volatility and higher valuations cause M&A activity to slow
OilPrice.com/Rystad Energy
Global upstream merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in the energy sector significantly declined in early 2025, with deal values dropping 39% from Q4 2024 to $28 billion in Q1 2025, compared to $66 billion the previous year, due to oil price volatility, tariff uncertainties, higher OPEC+ production, and rising asset valuations. The global deal pipeline, which started at $150 billion, shrank to $119 billion by July, with only $80 billion in deals announced in the first half of 2025. While U.S. shale gas deals and activity in Canada’s Montney region remained resilient, oil-focused deals in the U.S. shale industry, particularly in the Permian Basin, cooled as valuations for development-potential assets soared. Outside North America, M&A activity is expected to increase in South America, Africa, and Europe, with companies like Diversified Energy and EOG Resources pursuing significant acquisitions, signaling a shift in focus to natural gas and emerging regions. [MDN: Interesting comment about shale gas deals remaining “resilient” even as shale oil deals drop. Keep an eye out for more deals in the M-U.]
INTERNATIONAL
WTI flat as EU targets Russian refined fuels
Bloomberg/Catherine Cartier, Mia Gindis
Oil prices remained stable, with West Texas Intermediate crude closing near $67 a barrel, as traders evaluated the European Union’s new sanctions aimed at restricting Russian energy exports. The EU implemented a lower price cap on Russian crude, alongside curbs on fuels derived from Russian petroleum, additional banking restrictions, and a ban on a major Indian oil refinery that processes Russian crude for export to Europe, where diesel markets are tight. While these measures may not significantly disrupt crude flows, they raise concerns about diesel supply, as noted by CIBC’s Rebecca Babin. Diesel market tightness was evident as the spread between New York heating oil futures widened significantly. Despite global crude stockpile increases, oil prices have risen since May, supported by tight prompt supply conditions indicated by backwardation in futures curves. Strong U.S. consumer sentiment data further bolstered a risk-on market mood, while OPEC+ continues to ease output restrictions. [MDN: The bottom line is that WTI for August delivery fell 0.3% to settle at $67.34 a barrel in New York, and Brent for September settlement was 0.3% lower to settle at $69.28 a barrel. Our new normal of oil in the $60s.]
EU slaps new sanctions on Russia and its oil trade
Bloomberg/Alberto Nardelli, Andrea Palascian
The European Union has approved its 18th sanctions package against Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine, introducing measures like a revised oil price cap, new banking restrictions, and curbs on fuels refined from Russian petroleum. The oil price cap, previously $60 per barrel, will now dynamically adjust to 15% below market rates, starting at $45-$50 and updated biannually. Approximately 20 Russian banks will be disconnected from SWIFT and face transaction bans, while a major Rosneft-linked oil refinery in India was blacklisted. The sanctions aim to reduce Russia’s energy revenue, primarily from oil exports to India and China, though Russia’s shadow fleet of tankers has limited the impact of prior caps. The EU also targets Russia’s shadow fleet, Nord Stream pipelines, and entities aiding sanctions evasion. Despite Slovakia’s initial objections, the package was approved after EU concessions, though the U.S. has not supported the lower oil cap. [MDN: Somehow this largely seems to be for show and not really impactful. If Europe really wanted to punish Russia for its war on Ukraine, Europe would stop buying all oil from Russia, which would defund Putin’s efforts. Europe isn’t doing that.]
The 9 most important oil & gas pipelines in the world
OilPrice.com/Alex Kimani
The article from OilPrice.com highlights nine critical oil and gas pipelines that significantly influence global energy trade and geopolitics due to their efficiency, reliability, and strategic importance. These pipelines, including Russia’s Druzhba, the world’s longest, transport oil 4,000 km to Europe, and Nord Stream 1 and 2, which deliver 55 billion cubic meters of gas annually from Russia to Germany, are vital for energy security. The Keystone Pipeline System moves 590,000 barrels of crude daily from Canada to U.S. refineries, while China’s Myanmar-China Oil and Gas Pipeline bypasses the Strait of Malacca, enhancing energy security. Other key pipelines include the Eastern Siberia-Pacific Ocean (ESPO) pipeline, supplying Asia-Pacific markets, and the Yamal-Europe pipeline, connecting Siberia to Austria. These pipelines, handling billions of barrels of oil and trillions of cubic feet of gas, are indispensable for economic leverage, bypassing naval chokepoints, and ensuring supply resilience. [MDN: An interesting look at world pipelines that cross from one country to another. If you were looking at U.S. only pipes, we’d say Williams’ Transco and Kinder Morgan’s Tennessee Gas Pipeline would top the list.]
Will oil demand hit 123 million barrels per day by 2050 as OPEC says?
Forbes/Gaurav Sharma
The article discusses OPEC’s World Oil Outlook 2050, which projects global oil demand to reach 123 million barrels per day by 2050, a 19% increase from 2024’s 105 million barrels per day, driven by economic growth, population increases, and demand from developing regions like India, the Middle East, and Africa. OPEC dismisses the notion of peak oil demand, asserting oil and gas will maintain over 50% of the energy mix, with oil at just under 30% by 2050. However, this view contrasts with the International Energy Agency’s prediction of a demand peak at 105.6 million barrels per day by 2029, followed by a decline, and BP’s suggestion that peak demand could occur sooner due to renewable energy growth. The Energy Institute notes a slowdown in oil demand in regions like China, suggesting that economic and regional factors will influence whether OPEC’s projections hold true. [MDN: We believe the murdering thug dictators with respect to oil predictions over those of the corrupt IEA which has been hijacked by Big Green.]