MDN’s Energy Stories of Interest: Thu, Aug 14, 2025 [FREE ACCESS]
OTHER U.S. REGIONS: Texas Republicans urge FERC to green-light major LNG terminal; NATIONAL: Hotter September forecasts give bulls new life, boost natural gas futures; First-of-its-kind AI solution for FERC permit prep; Pipelines are a critical link in America’s energy security; Star Princess shines through successful sea trials; Preserving America’s freedom means producing more energy; INTERNATIONAL: Oil drops on stockpile rise; US threatens IMO members as climate rules set for adoption; Centrica, Energy Capital Partners to buy National Grid’s LNG terminal for $2 bln; French energy giant wins legal battle to shut down North Sea oil fields.
OTHER U.S. REGIONS
Texas Republicans urge FERC to green-light major LNG terminal
POLITICO – Greenwire
On August 13, 2025, a group of Texas Republican lawmakers, led by Rep. Wesley Hunt, urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to approve the Rio Grande LNG export terminal in Brownsville, Texas. The project, which aims to export liquefied natural gas to global markets, has faced regulatory hurdles, including a 2024 court decision that vacated its FERC approval. The lawmakers argue that the terminal is crucial for U.S. energy security and economic growth, emphasizing the need for FERC to act promptly to support the project. They also highlight the potential benefits of the terminal for job creation and energy exports. The developers of the project have been actively seeking support from federal and state officials to overcome the regulatory challenges and move forward with construction. [MDN: Rio Grande LNG is located in the Port of Brownsville (Texas), which is on the border of Texas and Mexico. The builder, NextDecade, is close to a final investment decision. If FERC OKs the project, it’s likely to see construction soon (maybe this year).]
NATIONAL
Hotter September forecasts give bulls new life, boost natural gas futures
NGI’s Daily Gas Price Index/Chris Newman
On Wednesday, September Nymex futures ended higher after a turbulent session in which prices hit a new nine-month low before rebounding late in the day. The contract settled at $2.828/MMBtu, up 2.0 cents. NGI’s Spot Gas National Avg. dropped for a second straight day, falling 16.0 cents to $2.600. In the Northeast, prices plunged for a second day as a cold front eased heat-driven demand. The September contract slid early to $2.764 before quickly climbing to $2.849, then retreating from those mid-morning gains and spending much of the day hovering around break-even. This choppy trading followed earlier breakdowns below technical support at $3.00 on Monday and a rising trendline at $2.85 on Tuesday. On Wednesday, however, the next key support range of $2.75–2.77 held firm. [MDN: We’re still below $3, which is yucky. However, we stayed above $2.75, which traders consider the next floor. That’s a good sign.]
First-of-its-kind AI solution for FERC permit prep
Coastal Bend LNG/ClassVI.AI
Coastal Bend LNG, developer of a planned natural gas liquefaction and export facility on the Texas Gulf Coast, announced it will use ClassVI.AI’s artificial intelligence tools to prepare its Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) permit application. FERC applications require detailed documentation on project design, environmental impact, and community engagement. ClassVI.AI’s neuro-symbolic AI will generate content to meet regulatory requirements, streamlining Coastal Bend LNG’s internal processes and allowing teams to focus on stakeholder engagement and operational excellence. CEO Nick Flores said the integration is accelerating the company’s preparation for the FERC pre-filing and application stages, expected to begin in 2025. ClassVI.AI CEO Eric Redmond noted the technology is designed to ease administrative burdens in energy infrastructure permitting. All filings will be reviewed by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP’s Energy Regulatory practice. Coastal Bend LNG aims to deliver sustainable, low-carbon energy globally, while ClassVI.AI focuses on modernizing permitting to advance industrial decarbonization. [MDN: For some reason, this press release struck us as really cool. If you’ve ever looked through a FERC application (as we have), you’ll know how detailed they are. Mind-numbingly detailed. Why not use AI to cut through some of that prep work? Great concept. We wish them every success.]
Pipelines are a critical link in America’s energy security
Energy in Depth/Stanley Brown
Pipelines are essential to U.S. energy security, economic growth, and emissions reduction, yet new projects often face opposition from anti-oil advocacy groups and local NIMBY campaigns, sometimes even from industry supporters. Critics highlight risks while overlooking that pipelines deliver energy with a 99.99% safety rate and are more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly than truck or rail transport. Texas plays a major role, transporting 1.1 billion tons of product annually, holding a quarter of U.S. reserves, and supporting nearly a third of refining capacity. Projects like Kinder Morgan’s Permian Highway, Energy Transfer’s Lone Star Express, and the proposed Blackfin Pipeline connect supply to demand, strengthen trade, and reduce carbon intensity. Pipeline construction and operation generate billions in tax revenue, thousands of jobs, and stable energy costs. Designed with rigorous safety measures, pipelines remain the safest and most efficient way to transport oil and natural gas, making them indispensable to America’s energy infrastructure. [MDN: Rather than demonizing pipelines (which comes from people who irrationally hate fossil energy), pipelines should be praised for the miracle they are. They’re safe, you don’t see them, and they work 24/7/365. Our pipelines are engineering marvels.]
Star Princess shines through successful sea trials
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises’ second Sphere-Class ship, the LNG-powered Star Princess, has successfully completed sea trials from August 9–12 in the Adriatic Sea, testing steering, navigation, and propulsion systems under the leadership of Captain Gennaro Arma. Built by Fincantieri in Monfalcone, Italy, the 177,800-ton, 4,300-guest vessel is on track to debut October 4, 2025, from Barcelona for Mediterranean sailings. Featuring two Azipod propulsion units and four controllable pitch bow thrusters for exceptional maneuverability, Star Princess aims to reduce emissions while enhancing efficiency. Sister to the Sun Princess, it will offer 30 dining and bar venues, advanced entertainment spaces like The Dome and The Arena, and luxury accommodations including over 1,500 balcony staterooms and exclusive Sanctuary Collection suites. Highlights include The Piazza’s ocean vistas and the Spellbound by Magic Castle® speakeasy. Following its inaugural Mediterranean season, Star Princess will sail the Caribbean, Panama Canal, and Alaska, with voyages available for booking now. [MDN: More and more, we see the cruise industry (and other large ships) turning to LNG for their power. That’s a good thing. New customers for our molecules!]
Preserving America’s freedom means producing more energy
Committee For A Construction Tomorrow (CFACT)/Craig Rucker
In 2024, over 90% of U.S. energy came from fossil fuels (82.16%) and nuclear power (8.67%), with wind and solar supplying less than 3% combined. While fossil fuel use has risen since 1990, greenhouse gas emissions have declined slightly, aided by nuclear power, which produces no emissions. Yet environmental groups such as the Sierra Club, 350.org, and NRDC oppose expanding nuclear and seek to phase out fossil fuels, promoting wind and solar instead. Their campaigns have led to the closure of hundreds of coal plants and cancellation of natural gas projects, while nearly shutting down California’s Diablo Canyon nuclear plant. Critics warn this shift risks U.S. energy security by increasing dependence on China, which dominates green energy supply chains. The article argues that restricting fossil and nuclear energy reduces freedom, limits consumer choice, and cedes economic power abroad, urging a return to policies that prioritize abundant, affordable, and domestically produced energy. [MDN: The article nails it. You want freedom? You need more energy, not less. That energy comes from fossil fuels (and some nukes). Learn it, live it, love it.]
INTERNATIONAL
Oil drops on stockpile rise
Bloomberg/Julia Fanzeres
Oil prices fell as a larger-than-expected U.S. crude inventory build and a bearish International Energy Agency (IEA) report deepened market pessimism. West Texas Intermediate dropped 0.8% to $62.65 a barrel after U.S. crude stockpiles rose by 3 million barrels to a two-month high. The IEA projected a record global oil glut in 2026, echoing a similar U.S. government forecast. Traders are now focused on Friday’s planned Alaska meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. Trump warned of “very severe consequences” if Putin rejects a ceasefire, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy refused to cede the Donbas region and demanded Kyiv’s inclusion in talks. Ukraine also claimed an attack on a Russian oil facility. Oil has fallen 13% this year amid OPEC+ output hikes, with markets awaiting potential changes to U.S. sanctions on Russia that could result from the meeting. Brent settled at $65.63. [MDN: Contrary to “reporting” by the doom and gloomers at Bloomberg, the price of oil continues to be just fine in the $60s.]
US threatens IMO members as climate rules set for adoption
Rigzone/Jov Onsat
The Trump administration has threatened to retaliate against fellow International Maritime Organization (IMO) members if the IMO’s proposed Net Zero Framework is adopted, arguing it would unfairly burden the U.S. The framework, set for adoption in October 2025 and enforcement in 2027, would impose mandatory greenhouse gas (GHG) limits and pricing on ships over 5,000 gross tonnage, which produce 85% of global shipping CO? emissions. U.S. officials called it a “global carbon tax” benefiting China, raising fuel costs, and sidelining U.S.-led technologies like LNG and biofuels. Ships exceeding GHG fuel intensity thresholds would pay fees or purchase remedial units, while low-emission vessels could earn financial rewards. Funds collected would support green innovation, infrastructure in developing countries, and aid to vulnerable states. The U.S. warned it would seek allies to oppose the plan and act to protect American consumers, citing potential cost increases in energy, transport, and cruise sectors. [MDN: We love it. The Trump admin is telling the IMO to drop dead with its net-zero nonsense. We aren’t having it. We aren’t going to pay carbon taxes to international thugs.]
Centrica, Energy Capital Partners to buy National Grid’s LNG terminal for $2 bln
Reuters/Ankita Bora, Pushkala Aripaka, Nora Buli
British Gas owner Centrica and U.S.-based infrastructure investor Energy Capital Partners (ECP) have announced a joint acquisition of National Grid’s Grain LNG terminal for approximately £1.5 billion ($2.04 billion). Located on the Isle of Grain in Kent, England, the terminal is Europe’s largest LNG import facility by tank capacity and among the largest globally. The acquisition aims to bolster the UK’s energy security during the transition to net-zero emissions. Centrica will contribute about £200 million in equity for its 50% stake, with the remainder of the deal financed through approximately £1.1 billion in project-related debt. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, pending regulatory and national security approvals. This move underscores the growing strategic importance of LNG in Europe, especially following the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which disrupted energy supplies and spurred price increases. [MDN: A major import point for U.S. LNG molecules. Noteworthy that it’s changing hands.]
French energy giant wins legal battle to shut down North Sea oil fields
London (UK) The Telegraph
TotalEnergies has secured a High Court ruling permitting the decommissioning of the Gryphon floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel in the North Sea, effectively shutting down a key hub that supports five UK oil and gas fields. The decision, rendered on August 12, 2025, is a significant setback for UK domestic energy production, as it strands millions of barrels of recoverable reserves. The ruling aligns with the UK’s net zero targets, which have been increasingly influential in judicial decisions affecting fossil fuel infrastructure. The Gryphon FPSO has been a critical asset for multiple operators, and its closure raises concerns about the future of shared infrastructure in the North Sea. The judgment underscores the growing impact of climate policy on energy operations and the legal landscape surrounding fossil fuel projects. [MDN: Once again, the Brits continue their efforts to commit energy suicide. They are succeeding, spectacularly.]