Groundbreaking Ceremony for NESE Pipe in NYC an All-Star Event
Yesterday, Williams marked the official start of construction on the Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) project with a groundbreaking ceremony at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, New York City. It was an energy-star-studded event. Williams CEO Chad Zamarin was, of course, there and spoke. Other luminaries attending and speaking included U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. Also on hand for the ceremony was (surprise!) FERC Chairwoman Laura Swett. We don’t ever recall a FERC commissioner attending a groundbreaking ceremony for a pipeline. Read More “Groundbreaking Ceremony for NESE Pipe in NYC an All-Star Event”
As we report in today’s lead story, Williams held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Transco Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) project in New York City yesterday (see Groundbreaking Ceremony for NESE Pipe in NYC an All-Star Event). One of the speakers at the event, the master of ceremonies, was Williams CEO Chad Zamarin. One of the comments he made at the event that deserves its own post here on MDN was news about the Constitution Pipeline project, a 124-mile greenfield pipeline from the Marcellus gas fields of Susquehanna County, PA, to Schoharie County, NY, to move Marcellus gas into New York State and New England. 
The highly functional and responsible Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC), unlike its highly dysfunctional and irresponsible counterpart, the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), continues to support the shale energy industry by approving water withdrawals and consumptive use for responsible and safe shale drilling. The SRBC also tells shale drillers when to stop withdrawing if low water flow (i.e., drought) conditions exist. That’s what the SRBC did yesterday. The agency, via its Hydrologic Conditions Monitor, warned shale drillers that, at 15 listed locations (all in Pennsylvania), they must stop water withdrawals until streamflow reaches a specific “trigger flow” target (different for each location). Another 9 locations are approaching restrictions. 
EOG Resources, one of the largest crude oil and natural gas exploration and production companies in the U.S., is shifting its focus from simply drilling more wells to improving well completion techniques to boost recovery rates in U.S. shale assets such as the Eagle Ford, Delaware Basin, and Utica. The company anticipates achieving reductions in average well costs and enhanced recovery through longer laterals and refined completion methods, such as higher-density fracture stages and optimized fracture spacing. This strategy, developed initially in South Texas, enables EOG to increase production while controlling costs, aiming for incremental yet significant productivity gains across its projects, including gas-focused opportunities in the Utica shale. 
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office (HGEO) announced a $14 million project to test enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) in Pennsylvania. Led by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the initiative will leverage existing oil and gas infrastructure, specifically the Appalachian Utica Shale, to explore the efficacy and scalability of EGS in the eastern U.S. This project aims to convert a horizontal shale gas well for geothermal use, assessing optimal well placements and fracturing techniques. If successful, it could provide a replicable model for expanding reliable, cost-effective geothermal electricity nationwide, utilizing abundant underground heat resources. 
The Philadelphia Gas Commission postponed a vote on Philadelphia Gas Works’ (PGW) $182 million proposal to replace and expand its natural gas liquefier (LNG plant) in Port Richmond. The commission’s staff and the Public Advocate recommended rejecting the project, arguing it was oversized and could burden customers with unnecessary debt. They also cited incomplete plant and project designs. PGW argued the upgrade is crucial for safety and affordability, preventing potential harm to customers during cold winters and avoiding the need to truck in liquefied natural gas. 
OTHER U.S. REGIONS: Duke Energy invests $600,000 to train North Carolina’s future energy workforce; NATIONAL: U.S. natural gas futures extend losing streak; The Iran war created a global natgas shortage — windfall for U.S. companies; Expand Energy announces planned 2026 board leadership transition; U.S. feedgas holds strong and Commonwealth LNG nears FID; INTERNATIONAL: Crude tumbles on ceasefire progress; Strait of Hormuz now fully closed; Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz force us to reconsider material benefits of fossil fuels; 5 things to know about the blockade on Iran; Fossil fuels shine light of hope in Africa; Australia’s ‘renewable’ obsession decimates industry; How to make drilling for oil woke again; Sanctioned Russian LNG finds buyers in Asia at deep discounts.