Inflation Reduction Act
Barclays Motion to Dismiss Raises Significant Issues About FERC Jurisdiction
After an investigation of actions in the western electricity markets by Barclays Bank PLC ("Barclays"), Daniel Brin, Scott Connelly, Karen Levine, and Ryan Smith (collectively, the "Traders" and together with Barclays, "Defendants"), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") issued an...
Unlocking the Potential of Shale Gas in the UK Energy Mix
The UK is continuing to edge closer to realising the potential of its domestic shale gas resources. In mid-December 2013, the UK government published a report, known as the Strategic Environmental Assessment for Further Onshore Oil and Gas Licensing (the...
Mexican Federal Congress Approves Important Constitutional Energy Reform Bill
As we previously reported , on August 12, 2013, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto submitted a highly anticipated constitutional reform proposal to the Mexican Congress for purposes of restructuring the Mexican energy sector, including oil, gas, petrochemical, and power, by...
Texas Greenhouse Gas Rules: Upcoming Hearing and End of Comment Period
As we discussed in an October post , the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has proposed rules to create a greenhouse gas (GHG) permitting program for the state of Texas and take over permitting authority from the U.S. Environmental...
Pooled Units and the Implied Surface Easement
On January 7, 2013, the Court of Appeals for the First District of Texas (Houston) (the " Court ") held that under Texas law the implied surface easement inherent in the mineral estate limited the mineral estate owner's right to...
EPA Releases Testing, Reporting and Compliance Deadlines for Oil and Gas Storage Tanks
Yesterday, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published in the Federal Register final amendments to sections of its 2012 New Source Performance Standard OOOO (NSPS OOOO) applicable to storage vessels used in the production, processing, transmission and storage of...
Coast Guard Looks to Expand Safety and Environmental Management Systems to Vessels on the OCS
On September 10, 2013, the U.S. Coast Guard published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (APNRM) in the Federal Register stating its intent to propose regulations that will require vessels engaged in exploration, development or production activities on the Outer...
Number Four "“ DOE Approves LNG Exports for Cove Point
On September 11, 2013, the Department of Energy ("DOE") issued an order authorizing Dominion Cove Point, LNG, LP ("Cove Point") to export to non-Free Trade Agreement ("FTA") countries up to 0.77 Bcf/day of domestically produced liquefied natural gas. This is...
Important Energy Reform Submitted by Mexico's President
On August 12, 2013, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto submitted a highly anticipated constitutional reform proposal to the Mexican Congress for purposes of restructuring the Mexican energy sector, including oil, gas, petrochemical, and power, by allowing greater private participation in...
Checking Off the List: DOE Approves a Third Non-FTA LNG Export Authorization
The Department of Energy ("DOE") recently issued its third order authorizing the export of liquefied natural gas ("LNG") to non-Free Trade Agreement ("FTA") countries. This latest order, for Lake Charles Exports, LLC ("Lake Charles"), will allow exports of up to...
CFTC Exercises Disruptive Trading Authority for the First Time
By order dated July 22, 2013, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC" or "Commission") settled charges against Panther Energy Trading LLC and its principal Michael Coscia for engaging in the disruptive trading practice known as "spoofing." The CFTC charged that...
Backing Fracking: UK Government Announces Shale Gas Incentives
The UK Government has demonstrated its commitment to the establishment of a shale gas industry by announcing details of proposed tax incentives to be offered to project developers. Guidance relating to the planning process for obtaining project approvals has also...
FERC Assesses Record Civil Penalty But the Story Is Just Beginning
By Order dated July 16, 2013 the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) assessed civil penalties against Barclays Bank Plc. and four of its traders "“ Daniel Brin, Scott Connelly, Karen Levine and Ryan Smith (Order). The Order is notable for...
DOE Approves LNG Export Authorization for Freeport LNG "“ A Win for LNG Exports?
The Department of Energy recently authorized Freeport LNG Expansion, L.P. ("FLEX") to export LNG to non-Free Trade Agreement countries. Importantly, this is the first order on LNG exports issued by the DOE since it collected comments on its two-part LNG...
FERC Punts on Closely Watched Request to Order a Shale Oil Pipeline Interconnection
In an order issued on March 22, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") once again declined to require an interstate oil pipeline to grant an interconnection requested by another pipeline. The order, issued in response to a complaint by High...