Energy Services

Armstrong County | Berkshire Hathaway | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Pipelines | Regulation | Westmoreland County

PA DEP Makes Move to OK Eastern Gas Pipe Replacement in SWPA
January 5, 2026January 5, 2026

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is seeking public comment on water quality permits for Eastern Gas Transmission’s LN-10 pipeline replacement project in Armstrong and Westmoreland counties. Eastern Gas Transmission and Storage (EGTS) is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy. Construction consists of removing and replacing approximately 13.1 miles of 20-inch-diameter natural gas transmission pipeline. Covering Chapter 102 and 105 regulations, the applications are available for review via the Regional Permit Coordination Office. While no public hearings are currently scheduled, they may be requested. Comments are due by January 26. Read More “PA DEP Makes Move to OK Eastern Gas Pipe Replacement in SWPA”
Chesterfield County | Dominion Energy | Electrical Generation | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Regulation | Virginia

Virginia DEQ Approves Dominion’s Chesterfield Peaker Plant Project
January 5, 2026January 5, 2026

Mixed signals are coming from Virginia’s regulatory agencies regarding a gas-fired project in Chesterfield. In June 2023, Dominion Energy announced plans to build four small “peaker” electric generating plants in Chesterfield County near Richmond (see Dominion Plans to Build 1,000-MW Gas Peaker Plant Near Richmond, VA). The Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center (CERC) calls for building four 250-megawatt gas-fired power plants (1,000 MW total) that can jump into action during the coldest and hottest days of the year to help supply enough electricity for 250,000 homes—to keep the lights on because solar and wind are not up to the task. In November 2025, the State Corporation Commission (SCC) finally approved the project. But three weeks later, the SCC canceled its approval so it could consider a last-minute appeal filed by radical green groups (see Va. SCC Unapproves Dominion’s Chesterfield Gas-Fired Plant). However, a day after the SCC withdrew its approval, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) gave its approval for the project. Read More “Virginia DEQ Approves Dominion’s Chesterfield Peaker Plant Project”
Baker Hughes | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Ohio | Pennsylvania | Research | West Virginia

M-U Rig Count Stays @ 39 for 3rd Week; Nat’l Count Adds 3 @ 545
December 29, 2025December 29, 2025

The venerable Baker Hughes rig count turned in its weekly report early last week, on Dec. 23 (Tuesday instead of the usual Friday) due to the holiday. The Marcellus/Utica rig count gained 1 rig three weeks ago in the Ohio Utica, bringing the total to 39 rigs. For the past three reports in a row, the M-U has maintained that count—the most rigs it has operated in more than a year. Pennsylvania has held at 18 active rigs for six consecutive weeks. Ohio has operated 14 rigs for three straight weeks (its highest in over a year). And West Virginia maintained 7 rigs, which it has operated since May 30. There were 24 rigs targeting the Marcellus and 15 targeting the Utica. The national count picked up 3 rigs, bringing the total to 545 active rigs. Read More “M-U Rig Count Stays @ 39 for 3rd Week; Nat’l Count Adds 3 @ 545”
Baker Hughes | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Ohio | Pennsylvania | Research | West Virginia

M-U Rig Count Keeps Gains @ 39; Nat’l Count Loses 6 @ 542
December 22, 2025December 22, 2025

The Marcellus/Utica rig count gained 1 rig two weeks ago in the Ohio Utica. The combined count hit 39 total rigs. Last week, the M-U maintained that count—the most rigs it has operated in more than a year. Pennsylvania has held at 18 active rigs for five consecutive weeks. Ohio picked up 1 rig two weeks ago and now operates 14 rigs. West Virginia maintained its 7 rigs, which it has operated since May 30. There were 24 rigs targeting the Marcellus and 15 targeting the Utica, for a combined 39 rigs in the M-U. The national count did not fare so well, losing 6 rigs, down to 542 active rigs, the lowest national count since September. Read More “M-U Rig Count Keeps Gains @ 39; Nat’l Count Loses 6 @ 542”
Energy Companies | Energy Services | EQT Corp | Equitrans/EQT Midstream | Industrywide Issues | North Carolina | Pipelines | Regulation | Virginia

FERC Votes to Approve Change of MVP Southgate Route, Capacity
December 22, 2025December 22, 2025

In 2018, Equitrans Midstream, the builder of the 303-mile Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP), proposed extending the MVP pipeline (after completion) by an additional 75 miles from the current terminus in Pittsylvania County, VA, to Alamance County, NC, to provide natural gas for heating and electric power generation. The 75-mile extension was called MVP Southgate. In December 2023, Equitrans announced it was significantly changing the project, cutting it by more than half and increasing the amount of gas flowing through it (see Equitrans Slices MVP Southgate Pipe Project From 75 to 31 Miles). Last Thursday, the five commissioners of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) officially approved the proposed changes. Read More “FERC Votes to Approve Change of MVP Southgate Route, Capacity”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines | Transco | Williams

With NESE Pipe Approved by NY & NJ, Next Up is Compressor Permit
December 22, 2025December 22, 2025

New Jersey environmental activists protest in August against Transco’s 32,000-horsepower compressor station proposed for Somerset County’s Franklin Township, New Jersey, part of the Northeast Supply Enhancement pipeline. Courtesy Charlie Kratovil.

In May 2019, New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), under the direction of then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, denied a permit for the Williams Transco Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) natural gas pipeline (see NY Gov. Cuomo Denies Permit for Williams NESE Pipeline to NYC). A month later, the New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), under the direction of Gov. Phil Murphy, did the same thing (see NJ DEP Rejects Williams NESE Pipe Permit, but Allows a Do-Over). Both states subsequently rejected permits a second time a year later. And then Donald J. Trump happened. Read More “With NESE Pipe Approved by NY & NJ, Next Up is Compressor Permit”
Chesterfield County | Dominion Energy | Electrical Generation | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Regulation | Virginia

Va. SCC Unapproves Dominion’s Chesterfield Gas-Fired Plant
December 19, 2025December 19, 2025

In June 2023, Dominion Energy announced plans to build four small “peaker” electric generating plants in Chesterfield County near Richmond (see Dominion Plans to Build 1,000-MW Gas Peaker Plant Near Richmond, VA). The Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center (CERC) calls for building four 250-megawatt gas-fired power plants (1,000 MW total) that can jump into action during the coldest and hottest days of the year to help supply enough electricity for 250,000 homes—to keep the lights on because solar and wind are not up to the task. Three weeks ago, the State Corporation Commission (SCC) finally approved the project (see Va. SCC Finally Approves Dominion’s Chesterfield Gas-Fired Plant). And just like that, the SCC has canceled its approval so it can consider an appeal filed on Monday by radical green groups. Yes, elections have consequences. Read More “Va. SCC Unapproves Dominion’s Chesterfield Gas-Fired Plant”
CNG/LNG | Energy Companies | Energy Services | Energy Transfer Partners | EQT Corp | Exporting | Industrywide Issues

Energy Transfer Unexpectedly Kills Lake Charles LNG Export Project
December 19, 2025December 19, 2025

This is sad and unexpected. Five weeks ago, MDN reported that Energy Transfer was holding off on a final investment decision (FID) for its Lake Charles LNG export project until 80% of the project had been sold to equity partners (see Energy Transfer Taps the Brakes on Lake Charles LNG Export FID). Last week, we reported that ET has now secured enough agreements to move forward with the FID and planned to do so “early next year” (see Energy Transfer Expects FID for Lake Charles LNG Early Next Year). But yesterday, ET announced that it is suspending development of the Lake Charles LNG project to “focus on allocating capital to its significant backlog of natural gas pipeline infrastructure projects that Energy Transfer believes provide superior risk/return profiles.” Read More “Energy Transfer Unexpectedly Kills Lake Charles LNG Export Project”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Dominion Energy | Electrical Generation | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | South Carolina

Dominion & Santee Cooper Defend Plan for SC Gas-Fired Power Plant
December 18, 2025December 18, 2025

In February 2024, members of the South Carolina Public Service Commission approved a proposed project to build a 1,020-megawatt (MW) gas-fired power plant in the state’s Lowcountry, in Colleton County (see SC PSC Approves Gas-Fired Power Plant Proposed for Edisto River). The Canadys project is a 50/50 partnership between Dominion Energy (formerly South Carolina Electric & Gas) and Santee Cooper (South Carolina’s state-owned electric and water utility). As they have from the beginning, the two companies continue to defend the project against attacks by anti-fossil fuel groups. Read More “Dominion & Santee Cooper Defend Plan for SC Gas-Fired Power Plant”
Enbridge | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines

Details Emerge for Algonquin Pipeline Expansion in New England
December 17, 2025December 17, 2025

In early September, MDN told you about the news that Enbridge had made a final investment decision (FID) for the Algonquin Reliable Affordable Resilient Enhancement (AGT Enhancement) project to flow an additional 75 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) of Marcellus/Utica molecules through the Algonquin Gas Transmission pipeline throughout New England and the northeast (see Enbridge Reaches FID on Algonquin Pipe Expansion in New England). At the time, there was precious little detail about the project. We now have the deets… Read More “Details Emerge for Algonquin Pipeline Expansion in New England”
AI | Electrical Generation | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Ohio | Williams | Wood County (OH)

Will-Power to Build Third Facebook Gas-Fired Plant Near Toledo
December 16, 2025December 16, 2025

In early April, MDN brought you the exciting news that pipeline giant Williams, via its newly-minted subsidiary, Will-Power, is planning to build two Utica/Marcellus gas-fired power plants in the New Albany International Business Park in Licking County, Ohio, near Columbus, to power a massive new Meta (Facebook) data center complex (see Williams Subsidiary Unveils Plans for Gas-Fired Power Plant in Ohio). Construction has begun on those projects. Now comes word that Will-Power will build another (third) large gas-fired power plant project for Meta, this one in Bowling Green, OH, near Toledo. Read More “Will-Power to Build Third Facebook Gas-Fired Plant Near Toledo”
Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | MarkWest Energy | Pipelines | Taxation | West Virginia | Wetzel County

MarkWest Wins Court Case Lowering Tax Assessment for WV NGL Pipes
December 16, 2025December 16, 2025

Pipelines in West Virginia (like most other states) pay property taxes. It’s a significant revenue generator for counties. There are many pipelines in Wetzel County, including three NGL pipelines owned and operated by MarkWest (aka MPLX) that connect to the Mobley Gas Plant. In 2022, MarkWest filed a tax return for the pipelines showing a 35% reduction in value due to less-than-forecasted pipeline usage, a concept called “economic obsolescence based on inutility.” The County Assessor for Wetzel County challenged MarkWest’s claim. Read More “MarkWest Wins Court Case Lowering Tax Assessment for WV NGL Pipes”
Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | M&A | National Fuel | Ohio

NFG Sells $350M in Stock to Help Fund CenterPoint Ohio Purchase
December 16, 2025December 16, 2025

In October, National Fuel Gas Company, a large utility company headquartered in the Buffalo, NY area with both upstream and midstream subsidiaries (Seneca Resources and NFG Midstream), announced a deal with CenterPoint Energy to acquire CenterPoint’s Ohio natural gas utility business (CNP Ohio) for $2.62 billion (see NY’s NFG to Acquire CenterPoint’s Ohio NatGas Utility Business $2.6B). The deal includes 5,900 miles of distribution and transmission pipelines and serves approximately 335,000 residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation customers that consume approximately 60 Bcf of natural gas per year. The deal significantly increases NFG’s gas utility customer base, from roughly 750,000 to well over 1 million. NFG announced yesterday that it is floating approximately 4.4 million shares of new common stock at a purchase price of $79.50 per share (generating $350 million) to help pay for the deal. Read More “NFG Sells $350M in Stock to Help Fund CenterPoint Ohio Purchase”
Baker Hughes | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Ohio | Pennsylvania | Research | West Virginia

M-U Rig Count Gains 1 Rig, Now @ 39 – Highest in Over a Year
December 15, 2025December 15, 2025

The Marcellus/Utica rig count gained a rig last week in the Ohio Utica. The combined count hit 39 total rigs, the most it has operated in more than a year. That’s great news! It means drilling is picking up in the M-U. Pennsylvania has held at 18 active rigs for four consecutive weeks. Ohio picked up one and now operates 14 rigs. Before last week, Ohio had held the same number of rigs at 13 since September 26. West Virginia maintained its 7 rigs, which it has operated since May 30. There were 24 rigs targeting the Marcellus and 15 targeting the Utica, for a combined 39 rigs in the M-U. Read More “M-U Rig Count Gains 1 Rig, Now @ 39 – Highest in Over a Year”
Armstrong County | Berkshire Hathaway | Energy Services | Greene County (PA) | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Pipelines | Regulation | Westmoreland County

PA DEP Ready to Issue Permits for EGTS Pipe Project from PA to OH
December 15, 2025December 15, 2025

Eastern Gas Transmission and Storage (EGTS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company (Warren Buffett’s company), filed a new project with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in July (see Eastern Gas Files with FERC to Expand Pipe Flows from PA to OH). The project, called the Appalachian Reliability Project (ARP), is designed to move more natural gas from Pennsylvania to Ohio. ARP will leverage existing EGTS pipeline infrastructure while increasing its system capacity through pipeline additions (4 miles of new pipe) and station upgrades. Over the weekend, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) published a notice in the PA Bulletin looking for comments on the department’s plan to issue three permits related to the project. Read More “PA DEP Ready to Issue Permits for EGTS Pipe Project from PA to OH”
CNG/LNG | Energy Services | Energy Transfer Partners | Exporting | Industrywide Issues

Energy Transfer Expects FID for Lake Charles LNG Early Next Year
December 12, 2025December 12, 2025

A month ago, MDN reported that Energy Transfer was holding off on a final investment decision (FID) for its Lake Charles LNG export project until 80% of the project had been sold to equity partners (see Energy Transfer Taps the Brakes on Lake Charles LNG Export FID). Good news! ET has now secured enough agreements to move forward with the FID and plans to do so “early next year.” Read More “Energy Transfer Expects FID for Lake Charles LNG Early Next Year”