The American Petroleum Institute has released new public engagement guidelines designed to help pipeline developers and operators improve communication and smooth out relations with landowners and the public in their pursuit of project approvals. The voluntary guidelines, covering hazardous liquid, gas transmission and some gathering pipelines, are being evaluated for potential incorporation into regulations.

Energy Transfer's Blue Marlin offshore oil terminal along the Texas Gulf Coast is set to receive a draft environmental impact statement this quarter, followed by a license a year thereafter, company executives predicted during a recent earnings call. Energy Transfer reported a 44% increase in transported oil volumes and a 10% jump in oil terminal volumes for the first quarter and reaffirmed its commitment to midstream acquisitions.

Swiss company Climeworks has launched operations at Mammoth, the world's largest direct air capture plant, located in Iceland. The facility, powered by geothermal energy, will be capable of capturing 36,000 tons of CO2 per year at an estimated initial cost around $1,000 per ton, targeting a reduction to $300 to $350 per ton by 2030 and $100 per ton by 2050.

Using power-to-liquid processes to convert hydrogen and carbon dioxide into e-fuels is very appealing from an emissions perspective and could be ideal for hard-to-abate industries, asserts BloombergNEF. The world is on track to add 1.1 million gallons of e-fuel capacity by the end of the decade. In this PtL e-fuels primer, BNEF discusses the emerging market.

Recent Energy Information Administration data pegs four-week average demand for US gasoline and distillate fuels at 8.63 million barrels per day and 3.6 million bpd, respectively, representing seasonal lows not seen since the pandemic's onset. US refining margins are falling as a result, with the 3-2-1 crack spread dipping below $26.50 per barrel on Wednesday for the first time since February.

ExxonMobil is closing research and technology hubs in New Jersey and Ontario in favor of a consolidated presence in Houston, with the effort to be completed by 2028, says spokeswoman Emily Mir. "We're excited for our North American technology organizations to be located with our business lines to more effectively develop and commercialize industry-leading technology," says Mir.

Oklahoma County District Court Judge Sheila Stinson has granted a temporary injunction that will halt the implementation of an anti-ESG law barring state pension systems from collaborating with financial firms accused of boycotting the oil and natural gas industry. Oklahoma Treasurer Todd Russ plans to appeal the ruling.

EOG Resources' oil drilling program in Ohio's Utica Shale has achieved output and cost efficiencies comparable to leading US plays through the use of three-mile laterals and longer. EOG is taking a slow and steady approach in the Utica oil play, aiming for a thorough understanding of resources and full-cycle economics before transitioning to full development mode, according to chairman and CEO Ezra Yacob.

Join API for the 2024 Exploration & Production Standards Conference to gain access to technical committee meetings covering API upstream standards and best practices used throughout the industry to promote safe, sustainable and environmentally sound operations. Learn about the latest API sponsored research and development including future R&D efforts that may benefit your business in the long run. Learn more.

This Damage Mechanisms training course covers an overview of basic metallurgy and a description of the most common refining processes. Its major focus includes detailed discussions of the key refining damage mechanisms addressed in API RP 571 and examples of equipment damage and failures. It also includes discussion of typical Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) methods applicable for detection of damage related to the specific damage mechanisms. Presented by: Equity Engineering Group, April 9-11; October 8-10, 2024. To learn more about this course and to register, visit the API-U Calendar.