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Rail Permit for New Fortress to Ship LNG Expired, Putting Future Projects at Risk
12/14/2021
The U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) granted Energy Transport Solutions a permit on Dec. 5, 2019, to transport refrigerated liquid methane in tank cars that meet specifications set by the Department of Transportation. Yet, the permit to ship liquefied natural gas (LNG) by rail expired on Nov. 30, prompting to wonder whether the company will proceed with related initiatives.
One of the projects in question is located in northeast Pennsylvania, Wyalusing: where New Fortress originally planned to transport NLG from its future liquefaction plant to Gibbstown, New Jersey. Afterward, customers in the Caribbean and elsewhere would have received LNG shipped from Gibbstown port.
However, The Pennsylvania liquefaction plant, which would liquefy natural gas from the Marcellus shale, still awaits a final decision about construction from New Fortress. It is unclear whether or not this development halted any plans.
According to PHMSA regulations, a special permit holder must apply for renewal at least 60 days before the expiration date in order to avoid expiration. Yet, Delaware Riverkeeper, a group opposing the LNG project, claims that there has not been a renewal request submitted for this permit.
Fortress Transportation, PHMSA, and New Fortress officials did not immediately return messages requesting comment.
Meanwhile, in the same period that the special permit is running out, President Joe Biden's administration is pausing regulations allowing LNG-by-rail so the PHMSA can study safety issues regarding this method of transportation. The action contrasts with that of former President Donald Trump, who in 2019 attempted to dramatically increase the export of LNG from the US, dubbing it as the molecules of freedom.
Despite concerns about the proposed Gibbstown LNG export terminal, Delaware Riverkeeper still believes that New Fortress may continue to pursue it. Even If LNG by rail cannot be accomplished, New Fortress could still transport LNG by truck to the port. After all, New Fortress already spent about $159 million developing the Pennsylvania facility through 2020, according to federal filings.
However, New Fortress appears to have abandoned or stalled its plans to build a liquefaction plant in Wyoming, introduce a new pipeline to deliver feed gas to Wyalusing from shale gas wells, and build a fleet of railcars for transporting LNG, according to Delaware Riverkeeper and other sources.
As a public company, New Fortress invests in, builds, and operates natural gas infrastructure and logistics in order to provide quick, turnkey energy solutions that promote economic growth, enhance environmental stewardship, and increase local prosperity.
For now, though, it remains to be seen, what changes if any, this development will bring to the Fortresses Pennsylvanians projects.
Look At The Future Of American And Appalachian Gas Production
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The crux of the matter is rather simple: productivity gains of local energy operators have been stable not only because they are drilling better acreage, but also because players finally realized capital efficiency gains. And even if some new obstacles impede Appalachia's growth at the same rate as the Permian or Haynesville, it does not detract from the value of the Marcellus and Utica basins. The Appalachians will still be the top producers at a very competitive pace as long as commercial inventory exists. After all, as long as there is commercial inventory, somebody will have to drill.
Energy Transfer LP Races to Carry Permian Basin Gas to Gulf Coast Hubs
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The ever-increasing demand for natural gas exports from the Gulf Coast started a race to further develop Permian Basin. Various companies, including Kinder Morgan and MPLX, are among those looking at building new pipelines in the region due to the demand spike. But Energy Transfer seems to edge past them into the lead since its project strikes as the most economical option for the basin outside of capacity expansions on existing pipelines and could essentially add 1.5-2 Bcf/d of transport capacity with just 260 miles of new pipe.
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In order to sell its part of the sprawling Eagle Ford Shale acreage, Chesapeake Energy Corp. on January 18 concluded an agreement to trade its Brazos Valley region assets to WildFire Energy I LLC for $1.425 billion.
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On January 6, Phillips 66 announced that it plans to acquire more than 43% of DCP Midstream LP for $3.8 billion, expanding the business in the oil & gas business.
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On January 5 Northern Oil & Gas (NOG) concluded a deal to acquire working interests in Midland-Petro D.C. Partners LLC (MPDC)'s Mascot Project in the Midland Basin, according to a January 9 press release. Firstly estimated at $330 million in cash, the deal was signed with an additional 3.25% working interest added to the 36.7% agreed upon when the transaction was announced on October 19. NOG paid $29 million more for the additional interests, which now totalled 39.958%. Finally, the deal closed for $320 million in cash and $43 million in debt at signing in October with the finance of Minnetonka, Minn.-based NOG with cash on hand, operating free cash flow, and assistance from its revolving credit facility.