One of the largest banks in the world (#11) is the German-based Deutsche Bank. They have major branches in dozens of countries, including the U.S. The Equity Research – North America operation of Deutsche Bank attended the Platts 9th Annual Appalachian Oil & Gas Conference in Pittsburgh earlier this week. The DB analyst who attended wrote up notes and shared them. We found the writeup interesting and thought you would too… Read More “DB Takeaways from 9th Annual Appalachian Oil & Gas Conference”
It will be fun watching far left Democrat politicians in New England point fingers at each other this winter when electricity and natural gas prices go through the roof. It won’t be fun watching the residents of New England pay 4-10 times what people in other parts of the country pay for their electricity and natural gas–but they’re the ones who elected the dolts that “lead” them. So we don’t have too much sympathy. An agreement by the New England states to seek new natural gas pipeline infrastructure and LNG resources has fallen apart because of squabbling among the states. In large part because of political pressure being applied by lunatic global warming scaremongers. Connecticut is the latest state to throw in the towel, canceling an RFP (request for proposal) that would bring cheap, abundant, clean-burning natural gas from places like the Marcellus, just a few hundred miles away, to the state. What a shame. The only thing to do now is sit back and watch the fun begin. We’ll be here to chronicle the sad decline of (and mass exodus from) New England… Read More “CT Latest New England State to Give Up on NatGas Cooperation”
Get this. More than 100 so-called protesters (i.e. criminals) had illegally set up camp on PRIVATE PROPERTY–against the landowner’s wishes–in an effort to stop work on the Dakota Access Pipeline project. A large group of police officers, SWAT teams, etc. had to move in to remove the lawbreakers. So what does the group of protesters who claim to worship Mother Earth and are there to protect Mom Earth from being raped by a pipeline do? They set fire to a pile of used tires–emitting the worst kind of fumes and emissions into the air, polluting everything around. They also torched equipment used to lay the pipeline. One of the “protesters” produced a .38-caliber pistol and fired three times at police officers. Yeah, that’s the peace-loving, earth-protecting THUGS in North Dakota–most of whom arrived from out-of-state and are paid to be there. Hired thugs engaging in thuggery. Why mention this story on MDN? Because as we previously wrote, one of the leaders of these thugs has promised to bring the fight to the Marcellus/Utica next… Read More “Police Remove Pipeline Protesting THUGS from Private Land in ND”
More Utica/Marcellus natural gas will begin flowing to the Chicago area beginning next Tuesday, Nov. 1. In June 2014 MDN brought you the news that the mighty Rockies Express (REX) pipeline was reversing the flow on the eastern end of the pipeline, to send Utica/Marcellus gas from Ohio all the way to points in Indiana and Illinois (see Rockies Express Pipeline Reverses Flow from Utica to Midwest). In October 2014 MDN reported Kinder Morgan’s subsidiary Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America (NGPL) announced plans to expand their Gulf Coast mainline pipeline from the REX pipeline interconnection in Moultrie County, Illinois, to points north on NGPL’s pipeline system, called the Chicago Market Expansion Project (see Kinder Morgan Plans Chicago Pipeline Expansion for Marcellus/Utica). In March of this year, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved it (see FERC Approves Pipeline to Move More Marcellus/Utica Gas to Chicago). Great news! The work is done, and FERC has just granted permission to NGPL to start up the compressor station next Tuesday that will deliver more gas to Chicagoland… Read More “More Marcellus/Utica Gas Begins to Flow to Chicago Area via NGPL”
In June 2014 Dominion filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to construct and operate new compression facilities at existing compressor stations in Marshall County, WV and Monroe County, OH, and certain other facilities, collectively called the Clarington Project (see Dominion Asks FERC for New Compressors in Upstate NY, WV). The Clarington project, costing a modest $76.5 million, will allow Dominion to provide 250,000 dekatherms (Dth) per day of firm transportation service for CNX Gas, otherwise known as CONSOL Energy. Last August, FERC approved Dominion’s request (see FERC Approves Dominion WV/OH Compressor Project, Rips Anti Group). FERC gave Dominion a year to complete the project, but Dominion filed a request in July requesting more time. FERC agreed and has extended the project completion date an extra year (see FERC Grants Dominion Clarington Project a 1-Year Extension). Looks like Dominion didn’t need the extra time after all. Yesterday FERC granted Dominion permission to begin service for the expansion project… Read More “FERC Tells Dominion to Flip Switch on Clarington Expansion Project”
The bullies at the rogue, out-of-control federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are leaning hard on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) over FERC’s approval for two Marcellus/Utica projects–Leach Xpress and Rayne Xpress Expansion projects. The EPA thinks FERC should consider man-made global warming flummery as part of their evaluation process. FERC is resisting. So the EPA bullies are demanding a meeting, to help FERC get it’s head straight (see Warning: EPA Attempting to Take Over FERC’s Job in Pipe Approvals). So far FERC has let the EPA eat static, not responding. The question is, will FERC courageously resist EPA’s call to shoot down the two projects? Or will FERC cave to EPA bullies? The EPA admits this isn’t just about two pipeline projects–they want FERC to change the way it evaluates ALL projects, to consider idiotic global warming emissions as part of the process… Read More “FERC Not Caving to EPA Bullies – So Far”
In September 2015 MDN brought you the news that two joint venture partners, MPLX (Marathon Petroleum) and Enterprise Products Partners, were actively evaluating a plan to reverse the flow of the 795-mile Centennial Pipeline to send natural gas liquids (NGLs) from the Utica/Marcellus to the Gulf Coast (see Centennial Pipeline May Reverse, Sending NE NGLs to the Gulf). The Centennial began operation in 2002 after a 26-inch diameter natural gas line from Longville, LA into Bourbon was converted to refined light product service. At the same time, a new 24-inch diameter line was constructed from Beaumont, TX to connect to the existing 26-inch diameter line at Longville, TX. Since last year we had not heard any concrete plans–until now. Yesterday at the S&P Global/Platts ninth annual Appalachian Oil & Gas Conference in Pittsburgh, Enterprise announced it is “a go” to reverse the Centennial… Read More “Centennial Pipeline Reversal “a Go” to Send NE NGLs to Gulf Coast”
In September MDN told you that Buckeye Partners, a publicly traded master limited partnership (MLP) that owns and operates 6,000 miles of pipeline, had launched an open season for a second round of expansion on the Michigan/Ohio refined products pipeline (see Buckeye Partners Expanding MI/OH Refined Products Pipeline, Again). “Refined petroleum products” are things like gasoline, kerosene and heating oil. The pipeline runs from Woodhaven and Detroit, Michigan, and from Toledo and Lima, Ohio, to destination points in both Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. We track this project and others like it because it’s quite possible some of the oil that gets refined into gas and heating fuel flowing through this pipeline comes from the Marcellus/Utica. Good news: the open season for the second expansion was successful and Buckeye plans to move forward with the project, which should be completed by the end of 2018… Read More “Buckeye’s MI/OH Pipeline Open Season a Success, Project Advances”
Yet another deadline approaches for the NEXUS Pipeline, a $2 billion, 255-mile interstate pipeline that will run from Ohio through Michigan and eventually to the Dawn Hub in Ontario, Canada. It is a critically needed pipeline to move Utica and Marcellus Shale gas from an over-saturated market in the northeast to markets in the Midwest and Canada. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is charged with evaluating and approving (or not) the project. However, as often happens, various state agencies are also involved in the project. One of those agencies if the Ohio EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). In September the Ohio EPA issued permits to allow NEXUS to build five new compressor stations along the pipeline’s route through OH (see OH EPA Grants Permits for 5 NEXUS Pipeline Compressor Stations). The Ohio EPA is back, this time considering whether (or not) to issue stream crossing permits to NEXUS. The pipeline will cross streams and swamps (i.e. “wetlands”) in these watersheds: Upper Ohio, Tuscarawas, Mahoning, Cedar-Portage, Lower Maumee, Ottawa-Stony, Black-Rocky, Huron-Vermilion and Sandusky. The public (i.e. YOU) have until next Monday, Oct. 31, to file comments on NEXUS’ “401 water quality certification” as it is called. Get writing!… Read More “Oct 31 Deadline to Send Comments to Ohio EPA re NEXUS Pipeline”
A couple of legal beagles from the Fox Rothschild law firm (in NJ) are sounding the alarm that two bankruptcy court decisions in New York State are threatening to up-end the midstream industry across the country. We tend to agree with them. Earlier this year, MDN brought you the news that a NY bankrutpcy court judge had allowed Sabine Oil & Gas, going through bankruptcy, to cancel a pipeline gathering contract with Cheniere’s Nordheim Eagle Ford Gathering in Texas (see Midstream Nightmare Comes True: Judge Lets Driller Cancel Contracts). Nordheim spent $84 million building a pipeline system to Sabine’s wells. In return for laying out that kind of money, Sabine, as is always the case, signed a multi-year contract with Nordheim (10 years in this case), ensuring Nordheim would make a profit on its up-front investment. The judge allowed Sabine to carte blanche cancel the deal several years into the contract. We asked at the time: If a driller signs a contract and that signature is no longer any good, will anyone build pipeline systems anymore? A pair of lawyers delve into the case and point out: “If other judges follow the analysis and conclusions reached in the Sabine Oil case, the expectations of midstream service providers in the oil and gas extraction process might be turned on their heads.” Indeed… Read More “Lawyers Warn Pipeline Case May Turn Midstreamers “On Their Heads””
Inspired by the criminal actions of eco-terrorists in North Dakota (see Dakota Access Pipeline Protesters Turn Violent; Coming Here Next?), anti-pipeline zealots in Lancaster County, PA figured they would give some of the tactics from the Dakotas a try here. So they’ve constructed a shed on stilts right along the proposed path of the forthcoming Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline. The shed on stilts looks like a big tree house (without the tree), which makes sense as the protesters are the equivalent of seven year-old, petulant, spoiled children. Why not give themselves a magic tree house to hang out in and talk about the glory days of protesting Vietnam…er…ah…pipelines. The nutters have a Holy Cause–stop the use of all fossil fuels. This is the way they intend to enforce their dystopian vision on the rest of us, by illegal acts… Read More “Antis Build Magic Tree House to Block Atlantic Sunrise Pipe”
Two weeks ago MDN told you that TransCanada is attempting to block Marcellus/Utica gas from entering the eastern Canadian market by lowballing pipeline transportation costs from western Canada (see TransCanada Launches Open Season to Lowball Marcellus/Utica Gas). How much are they lowballing? TransCanada is offering transportation costs of $0.66 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf). The proposed Nexus pipeline, which crosses Ohio and connects to a pipeline in Michigan that would go on from there to Canada, is charging $1.21/Mcf. The proposed Rover pipeline which also would connect to Canada is charging $1.01/Mcf. An BTU Analytics analyst does a deep dive and asks the question (our words, not hers): Will TransCanada’s lowball prices kill the Nexus and/or Rover?… Read More “Will TransCanada’s Lower Pipeline Rates Jeopardize Nexus/Rover?”
Some more disappointing news for Williams’ Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline project, a $3 billion, 198-mile project running through 10 Pennsylvania counties to connect Marcellus Shale natural gas from PA with the Williams’ Transco pipeline in southern Lancaster County. One week ago MDN brought you the news that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) announced it is actively reviewing two alternative routes for the Central Penn Line (an important part of the Sunrise project), accepting public comments on the two alternative routes until Nov. 14 (see Cabot Issues Update on Atlantic Sunrise – Possible Route Change). Translation: a delay for the project. Yesterday the Atlantic Sunrise got another delay from FERC when the agency filed paperwork stating they will now not issue a final environmental impact statement (FIS) until Dec. 30th, meaning a final “go ahead and build it” decision won’t come now until March 30, 2017. Bummer… Read More “FERC Delays Enviro Review of Atlantic Sunrise Pipe to Dec 30”
In January of this year, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) launched five investigations into four pipelines, three of which operate in the northeast, to determine whether or not those pipelines have been “substantially” overcharging their customers with the excuse of “we have to recover our costs” (see FERC Investigates 3 Northeast Pipelines for Overcharging). Although you might think the free market would govern what pipelines charge, pipelines, like other utilities, don’t operate in a totally free market. You can’t just up and leave one pipeline and take your gas to another. The government grants permission to operate, and the government keeps an eye on the rates charged–just like they do with your local gas and electric company. In the case of interstate pipelines, the government agency monitoring how much they charge is FERC. Apparently someone complained and FERC is now on the case. The three pipelines in the northeast were put under the microscope: Empire Pipeline, Iroquois Gas Transmission System and Columbia Gulf Transmission. The case is now closed for all three… Read More “FERC Settles Investigations into 3 NE Pipelines Overcharging”
The Dakota Access Pipeline Project (DAPL) is a new approximately 1,172-mile, 30-inch diameter oil pipeline that will connect the expanding Bakken and Three Forks production areas in North Dakota to Patoka, Illinois. Although the pipeline has become the new Keystone XL complete with anti-fossil fuel lunatics protesting it, MDN has largely ignored it because it’s another battle in another geography and we’re fighting enough of our own battles. We try to cover news that directly affects the shale industry in the northeast. Except now the Dakota battle has become connected to our own battles here in the northeast. Let us explain… Read More “Dakota Access Pipeline Protesters Turn Violent; Coming Here Next?”
A new group called Protect Our Pennsylvania launched on Tuesday at a rally in Harrisburg–at the State Capitol. The purpose of the group is to oppose and reign in the currently legal right of pipeline companies to use eminent domain to force landowners to accept a pipeline across their land. This is a tough issue for us. We have often stated this philosophy: I won’t tell you that you must allow drilling, or a pipeline, and you don’t tell me I can’t allow it. We think that’s a consistent and fair philosophy. But what do you do with a pipeline when only one or two people are blocking its route? We’ve always said, make it worth their while to allow (pay them). We’ve also said there may be times when eminent domain must (very reluctantly) be used. It is an ongoing “wisdom of Solomon” kind of issue for us, with no clear answer. So is this new group, Protect Our Pennsylvania, a group of landowners honestly concerned about their property rights? Alas, we don’t think so. Their leader, Eric Friedman, has ties to the radical Sierra Club, which means this is just one more organization pretending to be something it is not. It is, we are convinced, populated with anti-fossil fuelers and not just mom and pop landowners… Read More ““Protect Our Pennsylvania” Group Opposes Pipeline Eminent Domain”