FERC Official Criticizes Political Attempts to Thwart U.S. LNG Development
Posted on May 17, 2006 in Markets and Competition, Policy, Legislation and Politics, Regas Terminals & Capacity, State and Local Issues | Comments Off on FERC Official Criticizes Political Attempts to Thwart U.S. LNG Development
Emphasizing that the United States particularly needs increased natural gas supplies the next two winters prior to several new LNG import terminals coming online, FERC’s Director of the Office of Energy Projects Mark Robinson criticized politicians who often oppose LNG development in order to protect the public from a perceived, but not necessarily real harm. Speaking at the...
Strained U.S.-Russian Relations May Impact U.S. Involvement in Shtokman
Posted on May 17, 2006 in E&P, Liquefaction, Policy, Legislation and Politics, Trade Restrictions | Comments Off on Strained U.S.-Russian Relations May Impact U.S. Involvement in Shtokman
Today’s World Gas Intelligence reports that the recent escalation of tensions between the United States and Russia may negatively impact chances for Chevron and ConocoPhillips to participate in the Shtokman LNG venture in Russia. The strained relationship partially stems from U.S. allegations that Russia is using its vast gas reserves to expand its preeminence in the global...
Sempra Lawsuit Dismissed
Posted on May 15, 2006 in Canada & Mexico, Litigation, Policy, Legislation and Politics, State and Local Issues | Comments Off on Sempra Lawsuit Dismissed
The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that a San Diego court has dismissed a $5.5 million lawsuit alleging that Sempra Energy and Mexican government officials conspired to unlawfully seize land that Marathon Oil was planning to use for an LNG project in Baja California. Although Santiago Gracia, one of the three plaintiffs said, “[w]e’re still devising the legal...
Blanco Demands a Share of Profits from Offshore LNG Terminals
Posted on May 12, 2006 in Policy, Legislation and Politics, Regas Terminals & Capacity, State and Local Issues | Comments Off on Blanco Demands a Share of Profits from Offshore LNG Terminals
In the wake of Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco’s veto of Freeport-McMoran’s Main Pass LNG facility permit, LNG developers and industry analysts are concerned that her veto stipulation that the state receive a portion of the revenue generated from offshore LNG import facilities in the Gulf Coast could discourage LNG development in the area. “The concept of revenue sharing for...
Bodman Unresponsive to Congressmen’s Request on Regional Siting
Posted on May 12, 2006 in Federal Regulation, Policy, Legislation and Politics, Regas Terminals & Capacity | Comments Off on Bodman Unresponsive to Congressmen’s Request on Regional Siting
The Herald News today reports that DOE Secretary Samuel Bodman has yet to respond to a request by New England congressmen that he hold a summit on the regional siting of LNG facilities. The congressmen met with Bodman last week, and reiterated their request in a May 9 letter; a spokesman for Bodman said the Secretary has not seen the letter yet, but “certainly respects [the...
Rhode Island House Approves Exclusion Zones Around LNG Vessels
Posted on May 12, 2006 in Policy, Legislation and Politics, Regas Terminals & Capacity, Safety & Security, Vessel Transportation | Comments Off on Rhode Island House Approves Exclusion Zones Around LNG Vessels
The Providence Journal reports that legislation that would regulate LNG vessel transit through Narragansett Bay cleared the state House on Wednesday. The bill creates an exclusion zone that would prohibit LNG vessels from transiting near residential areas and certain infrastructure. “We have to protect the people and the other assets of the state of Rhode Island,” said...