Keystone Pipeline Leaks Boost Case for New Keystone Xl Pipeline and Other Energy Stories in the News

Michael Giberson

Mostly oil and natural gas stories from around the web:

  1. The Hill’s E2-Wire, Oil industry: Response to leaks boosts case for pipeline – “The Obama administration’s swift response to leaks at the TransCanada pipeline boosts the case for approving an extension of the line, the oil industry argued Monday.” Logic is: sure the pipeline has had a few leaks, but the Department of Transportation quickly and appropriately moved to limit any harms, so current regulations are sufficient to protect people, property and environmental values along the pipeline route.
  2. FuelFix notes additional investments in Texas oil production, Carrizo expands Eagle Ford footprint and Linc Energy buys producing fields in Texas, La. from ERG. EIA data indicates that after many years of stable or slight drops in production, Texas crude oil production is increasing in 2011 (back to levels last seen in 1999, still significantly below production levels of 15, 20, or 40 years ago).
  3. Speaking of EIA, they just published an analysis of LNG re-exports: Re-exports of liquefied natural gas rose rapidly in early winter.
  4. More from The Hill’s E2-WireReport: World could see natural-gas ‘golden age’ – The International Energy Agency sees the combination of hydraulic fracturing and other technological improvements boosting supply, while new nuclear power skepticism boosts demand. Natural gas use could outpace world coal use by 2030, the IEA said.
  5. The Wall Street Journal provides an update on the unraveling of Lubbock’s power plant purchase deals, Texas Power-Plant Deals Unravel in Local Dispute. See previously at KP here and here.
  6. Cuba prepares for oil exploration in the Caribbean. The Houston Chronicle reports, Embargo may block U.S. response to Cuban oil spill. No, there hasn’t been a Cuban oil spill, at least not yet. But if there were to be one, current U.S. law would deter firms doing business in the United States from responding. Cuba may have to wait for spill response ships and supplies to arrive from the North Sea or South America. A spill could reach U.S. shores in as little as three days.
  7. The Texas Railroad Commission intends to finish hydraulic fracturing disclosure regulations by July 1, 2012 even though law gives the agency until 2013 to issue the rules.