EXTRACTED: Daily News Clips 10/8/26

PIPELINE NEWS

• WKYC: Lawsuit alleges Enbridge destroyed evidence after deadly Rainbow Terrace explosion in Cleveland

• WDIO: Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District candidates weigh in on Line 5 project

• Enbridge: Federal officials convene in Michigan

• WV News: West Virginia AG leads 26-state coalition backing FERC natural gas pipeline rule

• Two River Times: Federal Court Overturns Vital NESE Pipeline Certification

• Pioneer News: Pipeline raises questions from multiple counties

• Sterling Journal-Advocate: Logan County Commissioners to consider moratorium on carbon sequestration facilities

• Sidney Sun Telegraph: Is a CO2 pipeline on the horizon?

• CBC: Approval of sour gas pipeline permit without consultation triggers Alberta court battle over safety setbacks

• Santa Fe New Mexican: Two die in Lea County pipeline break; rupture in San Juan County sparks fire

• Durango Herald: Gov. Polis visits Enterprise gas spill on Southern Ute land for first time

• The Cool Down: Dallas blast killed 3, but the federal review of Atmos’ safety is still under wraps

• Natural Gas Intelligence: Williams’ Silver Spur Pipeline to Tap Ruby for Idaho Natural Gas Supply

WASHINGTON UPDATES

• Press release: Administrator Zeldin Announces EPA is Days Away from Unveiling Next Oil & Gas Proposal

• KCLU: Congressional delegation calls for removal of legislation involving Santa Barbara County oil dispute

• Politico: America at the epicenter of climate lawsuits

• Politico: Power sector struggles to find consensus on permitting bill

• Press release: What They’re Saying: Bipartisan Permitting Reform Will Deliver Cheaper Energy, More Jobs, Responsible Growth

STATE UPDATES

• New Times SLO: BLM moves forward with oil leases near Carrizo Plain

EXTRACTION

• Reuters: The world has nearly burned through its oil stockpile buffer, executives say

• Reuters: US power use to beat record highs in 2026 and 2027 as AI use surges, EIA says

• Reuters: High gas prices could make US LNG uncompetitive, says Fulcrum LNG chief

• Reuters: Chevron to divest midstream assets in Bakken restructuring

• Financial Times: ExxonMobil looks to offshore projects in Trinidad and Tobago for next boom

• Upstream: Eni installs world’s first offshore CCS platform

• Moscow Times: Sochi Closes Beaches After Drone Attack Sets Oil Tanker Ablaze

OPINION

• Badger Herald: Wisconsin needs to get serious about Line 5

• American Council on Science and Health: EPA didn’t scrap clean-air rules: the real story behind the carbon mandate rollback

PIPELINE NEWS

WKYC: Lawsuit alleges Enbridge destroyed evidence after deadly Rainbow Terrace explosion in Cleveland
Dave DeNatale, 10/7/26

“The estate of a man who died from injuries suffered in last year’s Rainbow Terrace apartment explosion is suing Enbridge Gas and several other defendants, alleging the gas company destroyed or altered critical physical evidence within about 24 hours of the deadly blast,” WKYC reports. “The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, alleges Enbridge personnel cut and removed portions of the gas system at the Cleveland apartment complex before the family of Cordale Sheffield or other interested parties had an opportunity to inspect or document the system. The estate’s complaint includes a specific cause of action for spoliation of evidence, alleging Enbridge intentionally altered or removed evidence that could have helped investigators determine the source of the gas leak… “He spent 17 days in MetroHealth Medical Center’s burn intensive care unit before dying from his injuries on July 10, 2025. “Cordell died one of the most painful deaths a human can die,” said Sean Claggett, one of two attorneys for the Sheffield family who spoke to 3News on Wednesday… “The lawsuit alleges Enbridge was aware that litigation arising from the explosion was probable and knew the condition of the gas system would be central to determining the cause… “The complaint cites state pipeline safety investigators who, according to the lawsuit, found that Enbridge’s removal process left jurisdictional piping unable to be leak- or pressure-tested accurately to determine the source of the leak… “The lawsuit further alleges that Enbridge broke the shutoff valve while attempting to close it for pressure testing.”

WDIO: Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District candidates weigh in on Line 5 project
Fatima Avalos, 10/7/26

“A debate over the future of Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline in Wisconsin is highlighting both energy and environmental concerns from 7th District Congressional District candidates,” WDIO reports. “…During a WDIO News debate between the 7th District’s Congressional candidates, Republican Michael Alfonso and Democrat Fred Clark, Alfonso cited energy reliability and cost effectiveness as his reasons to support Line 5. “… I really look at this issue and say, if you truly want prices to come down, how can you not support it,” Alfonso said. Clark also shared his overall support for Line 5 but raised environmental concerns. “I have put out a statement calling on the Wisconsin DNR to hold the Enbridge company accountable for the set of environmental problems they’ve had,” Clark said. “This company has not operated in good faith and until they’re willing to do that, we need the state to hold them accountable and stop work until there are reforms.” “…I believe as a Republican, we can chew gum and walk at the same time. We can build infrastructure that makes our lives better, cheaper and easier. And we can keep our land and beautiful natural landscapes of northern Wisconsin clean and better for the next generation,” said Alfonso.”

Enbridge: Federal officials convene in Michigan
10/7/26

“When U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin and Region 5 Administrator Anne Vogel recently joined U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte) to meet with energy leaders, Michigan’s role in the United States’ energy future played a prominent role,” according to Enbridge. “On Sept. 26, Zeldin, Vogel and Barrett toured Enbridge’s Stockbridge Terminal, which temporarily stores crude oil as it moves through the Enbridge liquids pipeline system to connect supply to regional refineries… “Zeldin shared his support of the Great Lakes Tunnel Project, noting that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. EPA collaboratively performed comprehensive due diligence in assessing and providing federal permits for the project… “Barrett, who represents Michigan’s seventh congressional district, said moving forward with the Great Lakes Tunnel and maintaining Enbridge Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac will have an impact on the state and its people. “This specific pipeline that you’re talking about is a vital artery for movement of materials, specifically for propane,” said Barrett… “In addition to citing the importance of Line 5 and the Great Lakes Tunnel to the region’s energy future, participants discussed the need to expand reliable energy production and maintain critical infrastructure.”

WV News: West Virginia AG leads 26-state coalition backing FERC natural gas pipeline rule
10/7/26

“West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey is leading a 26-state coalition supporting a proposed Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rule that would expand the types and sizes of interstate natural gas pipeline projects eligible for streamlined federal authorization,” WV News reports. “The proposal, filed under FERC Docket No. RM25-12-001, would revise the agency’s Blanket Certificate Program, which allows certain natural gas infrastructure projects to proceed without individual, case-specific authorization. FERC proposed the revisions in May as part of an effort to expand the scope and scale of qualifying projects. McCuskey and the coalition argue the changes could allow West Virginia natural gas to reach markets more quickly, support industry employment and increase pipeline capacity. “Updating the pipeline rules is good for West Virginia jobs, energy prices and economic growth. This Proposed Rule would benefit everyone, including gas producers who will be able to avoid red tape and consumers who will have greater access to affordable energy when they need it most. Beyond that, our state’s 70,000+ natural gas jobs would be protected, and we could possibly build on that. This is a win-win for everybody and it’s just common sense to cut out bureaucracy to make this process more efficient,” Attorney General McCuksey said.”

Two River Times: Federal Court Overturns Vital NESE Pipeline Certification
Emily Schopfer, 10/8/26

“The infamous “zombie pipeline” is back in its grave – at least for now. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit vacated the Williams/ Transco Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) pipeline’s water quality certification in a Sept. 8 ruling,” the Two River Times reports. “The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) issued the permit to Transco in November 2025. The same month, six organizations filed a lawsuit challenging the decision – a lawsuit that brought the pipeline in front of the appeals court… “Petitioners included NY/NJ Baykeeper, Princeton Manor Homeowners Association, Central Jersey Safe Energy Coalition, Food & Water Watch, New Jersey League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, and the Sierra Club. The Eastern Environmental Law Center (EELC) represented all petitioners. Christopher Miller, EELC’s executive director, told the Times the EELC was “very pleased” with the ruling. While the decision puts a red light on all construction within Raritan Bay, the question remains what this means for construction on land… “While happy with the Sept. 8 outcome, Remaud told the Times the ruling is a delay, not a complete win over NESE. The delay, however, “gives the chance for folks to put pressure on Gov. Sherrill,” Remaud told the Times. This is a “great chance for her to step up” and “stand up here for what’s right for New Jersey.”

Pioneer News: Pipeline raises questions from multiple counties
Thomas J. Barr, 10/7/26

“…The demand in the states of Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio is so much that a 450-mile transmission line is being proposed by Texas Gas,” the Pioneer News reports. “But no matter the need is expressed, there are still plenty of property owners who are not interested in having anything to do with the company installing the line. On Thursday, the Trimble County Extension Service office was filled with residents who had questions for representatives with Boardwalk, which is representing Texas Gas… “According to Steve Chretien, Texas Gas already has an existing line along the route; however, a greater demand requires the 36-45-inch line. The first priority is to use existing utility easements. In Ohio, he said that has been achieved for 80-85 percent of the properties needed. The number jumped to 90 percent in Indiana on its 52-mile stretch. In Kentucky, the 90-mile portion has co-location in about 65 percent of the properties… “There were plenty of individuals from Trimble, Henry, Shelby and Bullitt counties in attendance and many were very concerned about the prospects of a 36-42 inch natural gas line running on their property. And some of the discussion was very emotional… “Another resident already has two utility lines on her property and she would appreciate the third one going on someone else’s property. She said that even if Texas Gas gave her $100,000, that would not make up for the depreciation of her property value… “Another resident was concerned that the natural gas pipeline was really to a way to get the product to the Gulf Coast for off-seas customers… “There is a Facebook group titled Kentucky Counties United Against Texas gasline.”

Sterling Journal-Advocate: Logan County Commissioners to consider moratorium on carbon sequestration facilities
Callie Jones, 10/2/26

“The Logan County Commissioners will consider imposing a temporary six-month moratorium on the issuance of permits related to the development and operation of carbon sequestration facilities in the county at their Oct. 6 business meeting,” the Sterling Journal-Advocate reports. “The potential action comes following discussion at the board’s Tuesday, Sept. 29 meeting, when Commissioner Jim Yahn reported that he had talked to Carrie and Brady Hume who live next to a carbon pipeline compressor located 950 feet from their home. Over the last two years the 41-year-old pipeline was converted from natural gas to CO2 and the compressor station was enlarged near their house and since then they’ve been having detrimental health issues… “Yahn noted that earlier this year Brightwater came in to meet with the board and said they might be putting in a carbon sequestration pipeline across Logan County. He has since heard that the company has moved up to the Kimball, Neb. area and is running that line and the counties there are concerned with it running through their area. Yahn explained that the well field injects carbon into the pores of a geological formation underneath the ground and from some of the information he has looked at it appears companies like to have compressor stations a mile and a half from homes. The Humes believe the commissioners should consider protection for the county’s citizens before anything like this is allowed to go through, which Yahn agreed with. Yahn told his fellow commissioners that he would like the county to investigate this a bit more before allowing carbon sequestration fields or carbon sequestration pipelines to pass through the area, especially when it comes to setbacks for compressors, etc.”

Sidney Sun Telegraph: Is a CO2 pipeline on the horizon?
Adrienne LaBay, 10/7/26

“Is a CO2 pipeline on the horizon?,” the Sidney Sun Telegraph reports. “The commissioners heard about a potential new CO2 pipeline in Cheyenne County during their meeting Sept. 21, which could have potential negative effects on the county. Summit Carbon Solutions Relationship Manager Matt Bright came to the meeting to explain a plan to create a Carbon Dioxide pipeline from Minnesota to Wyoming.”

CBC: Approval of sour gas pipeline permit without consultation triggers Alberta court battle over safety setbacks
10/8/26

“A court battle over the operation of a 730-metre stretch of steel pipe carrying hydrogen sulphide through the heart of Alberta’s Industrial Heartland has reached the province’s top court,” the CBC reports. “A court decision, issued late last month, details a years-long regulatory dispute over a sour gas pipeline owned and operated by Chemtrade Logistics Inc. that cuts across the outskirts of Fort Saskatchewan and its industrial lands… “The Court of Appeal of Alberta has granted Fort Industrial Estates Ltd., Heartland Center I Ltd., and Heartland Center II Ltd. — which make up an industrial real estate development company known collectively as Fort Industrial — permission to appeal two decisions the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) made that allow the pipeline to continue operating the sour gas line unchallenged… “Both the city and Fort Industrial, which owns properties adjacent to the pipeline, argued that Chemtrade’s ongoing operations have infringed on its right to develop its own lands, that current regulatory setbacks have limited development and access without warning or consultation… “Strekaf told CBC the case puts into question whether the AER breached its policies by failing to provide affected landowners with a meaningful opportunity to challenge a regulatory approval that was not in compliance with the AER’s own guidelines. The appeal hinges on the mandatory consultation requirements enshrined in Alberta regulations for energy operators, as well as development setbacks enforced by the AER to keep people living or working near sour gas lines safe from potential leaks of hydrogen sulphide, a highly toxic and corrosive gas.”

Santa Fe New Mexican: Two die in Lea County pipeline break; rupture in San Juan County sparks fire
Victoria Traxler, 10/7/26

“Pipeline ruptures Tuesday led to emergencies in the northwest and southeast parts of the state: One in Lea County that resulted in two deaths, and one in San Juan County that sparked a wildfire,” the Santa Fe New Mexican reports. “According to the Lea County Sheriff’s Office, on Tuesday afternoon, deputies responded to an industrial accident involving a fire on an oilfield pipeline. Upon arrival, deputies found two people dead. Their identities have not been released and the investigation is ongoing. In the northeastern corner of the state, a ruptured gas pipeline produced 100-foot-high flames near La Boca.”

Durango Herald: Gov. Polis visits Enterprise gas spill on Southern Ute land for first time
Gabrielle Wallace, 10/8/26

“Colorado Gov. Jared Polis visited the site of the Enterprise Product gas spill on the Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s land for the first time since the spill,” the Durango Herald reports. “The spill occurred in December 2024, spilling an estimated 97,000 gallons of gasoline into the ground. An independent evaluation by SUIT claims that number might be upward of 200,000 gallons. The large discrepancy between Enterprise Product’s and SUIT’s estimates interested Polis, and he told the Herald he wants to find out what the potential risks are and if the cleanup is appropriate for the spill level. “I could understand if they have a difference of a few thousand, but a difference of double is too big to believe,” he told the Herald. “So I really want to get to the bottom of it.” Polis told the Herald he wants CDPHE to involve an independent evaluator to better determine the plume’s size, how it’s spreading and ensure remediation efforts match that model… “We have the oversight authority over Enterprise, and so what we need to do is really assess whether Enterprise is doing what they should do to reduce the risk to Las Animas River, to groundwater, and that’s really what an independent evaluation will provide,” he told the Herald.”

The Cool Down: Dallas blast killed 3, but the federal review of Atmos’ safety is still under wraps
Leslie Sattler, 10/6/26

“What did federal regulators learn about Atmos Energy’s safety practices before a deadly Dallas apartment explosion, and why hasn’t the public seen the results? That question is hanging over Oak Cliff after the May blast that, as The Dallas Morning News reported, left three people dead and destroyed an apartment building,” according to The Cool Down. “…A March 2024 meeting with Atmos was followed by a multistate PHMSA review of the company’s safety practices. Then-Deputy Administrator Tristan Brown said in prepared testimony for a May 2024 hearing that the agency expected to release its findings publicly, and records reviewed by the newspaper show the report had reached management review by March 2025. It still has not been published. Bill Caram, executive director of the Pipeline Safety Trust, told the paper, “This is now more than two years ago and since then we’ve had two more explosions on Atmos systems that have killed four people, including a toddler, and the public hasn’t seen a single page of the review or been told when it will be finished.” “…As Caram put it, “If PHMSA learned anything about Atmos’ safety culture or practices, they need to share it before anyone else is killed.”

Natural Gas Intelligence: Williams’ Silver Spur Pipeline to Tap Ruby for Idaho Natural Gas Supply
Chris Newman, 10/8/26

“Williams’ Northwest Pipeline has fully subscribed an 88-mile natural gas line that would move up to 275,000 Dth/d of Opal supply from Tallgrass’ Ruby Pipeline into southern Idaho by 2030,” Natural Gas Intelligence reports.

WASHINGTON UPDATES

Press release: Administrator Zeldin Announces EPA is Days Away from Unveiling Next Oil & Gas Proposal
10/7/26

“While at the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association’s annual meeting in Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced that in the coming days the Trump EPA will be proposing the next part of the agency’s comprehensive reconsideration of the Biden Administration’s 2024 oil and natural gas rules, also known as OOOOb/c. The agency’s proposal, which is part of a series of actions the Trump EPA is taking on Biden-era oil and natural gas regulations, is estimated to save $45 billion. During his speech, Administrator Zeldin highlighted the extensive reconsideration effort the agency has undergone to address widespread concerns from American energy producers and operators that the 2024 Rule is unworkable and is holding back American energy dominance. This effort is a stark contrast to the $18 billion in regulatory costs the Biden EPA’s rule imposed without providing the environmental benefits promised. “The Trump EPA is days not weeks away from announcing our proposal for the second part of the oil and gas reconsideration,” said EPA Administrator Zeldin. “…EPA will propose to change the approach to marginal wells by co-proposing two options that would create separate categories of well sites, each with its own standards that make sense for the circumstances of the particular type of well. Super Emitter Program: After hearing about serious legal concerns with the program, EPA will propose to rescind it… “To make compliance possible all over the country and ensure a reasonable approach, EPA will propose to revisit the overall approach to regulating associated gas from oil wells… “EPA will propose technical changes to give flexibility for flame monitoring data deviations, control device alerts, and visible emissions test conditions where appropriate.”

KCLU: Congressional delegation calls for removal of legislation involving Santa Barbara County oil dispute
Lance Orozco, 10/6/26

“Some members of California’s congressional delegation are calling for the removal of legislation that an oil company could use to circumvent environmental protections in Santa Barbara County,” KCLU reports. “The Hunt Amendment would allow the federal government to use eminent domain to seize property, including state park land, to allow Sable Offshore Corporation to continue its operations. Republican Sen. Wesley Hunt of Texas introduced the amendment as part of the Defense Spending Act package… “The Defense Production Act allows the federal government to cut through traditional regulations in the event of a national emergency… “But Sable and the federal government face multiple lawsuits from the state and environmental groups challenging the legality of the restart. One lawsuit contends the federal government failed to show a national emergency justifying the use of law to restart the pipeline. Opponents say the Hunt Amendment is an effort to skirt some of those lawsuits by seizing the property to allow the oil production to continue… “Democratic Rep. Salud Carbajal of Santa Barbara, along with several of his Democratic colleagues and the state’s two U.S. Senators, jointly called for the amendment to be removed from the spending package.”

Politico: America at the epicenter of climate lawsuits
Lesley Clark, 10/7/26

“President Donald Trump might love fossil fuels — but the U.S. legal system has emerged as the industry’s Achilles’ heel,” Politico reports. “America is the global epicenter for “polluter pays” climate lawsuits against oil and gas companies. If successful, the cases could cost the industry tens of billions of dollars… “By this June, there were active cases in 62 countries — a huge increase from 17 nations with climate cases in 2015, according to the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science. The U.S. remains the clear global leader in climate litigation, with more than 2,100 cases filed since the 1980s, according to Michael Gerrard, founder and faculty director of Columbia University’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, which tracks climate lawsuits worldwide. Nearly 50 U.S. cases have been filed against fossil fuel companies and greenhouse gas emitters, seeking money damages for climate change. Just seven such cases have been filed in the rest of the world. That’s partly because other countries often require the losing party to pay the prevailing side’s attorney’s fees… “When it does target corporations, European climate litigation has sought to cut emissions, end greenwashing campaigns and force disclosure, Joana Setzer, associate professor at the Grantham Research Institute, told Politico.”

Politico: Power sector struggles to find consensus on permitting bill
Kelsey Tamborrino, Timothy Cama, Zack Colman, 10/7/26

“The Senate’s landmark energy permitting bill is aimed at speeding up power projects across the country — but the companies in charge of building those projects can’t yet agree on whether they support it,” Politico reports. “…Industry groups have broadly welcomed the compromise legislation as the country faces a surge in electricity demand that is straining the power network, but so far, utilities have released only tepid statements promising to closely examine the draft bill’s provisions. The Edison Electric Institute, the nation’s largest power sector lobbying group, convened executives on Tuesday to hash out its position, four people familiar with the meeting and granted anonymity to discuss private deliberations told Politico. A significant focus, some of them told Politico, is language that would challenge utilities’ control over the country’s transmission system… “Yet, the bill also includes numerous provisions that would heighten scrutiny around the planning, permitting and economics of the country’s high-voltage transmission system, including strengthening the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s authority and requiring utilities to coordinate their planning for regional and interregional grid projects.”

Press release: What They’re Saying: Bipartisan Permitting Reform Will Deliver Cheaper Energy, More Jobs, Responsible Growth
10/7/26

“Since four Senators from across the political spectrum introduced their Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act last week, a broad coalition of labor leaders, energy producers, and nonprofits has voiced support for the permitting reform plan, noting that it will deliver cheaper energy, more jobs, and responsible growth… ‘The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act delivers cheaper energy, more well-paying jobs, and responsible growth by accelerating the permitting and construction of critical energy and infrastructure projects while maintaining key environmental and historic preservation safeguards. The legislation provides greater certainty for projects that have already been permitted and financed, including by preventing future administrations from arbitrarily blocking entire classes of energy projects, while establishing clear timelines for environmental reviews and legal challenges… “For LIUNA, the key consideration is whether a permitting package will translate to good union jobs, with prevailing wages and robust apprenticeship opportunities. S.5653 exceeds those standards while maintaining proper regulations and safeguards that protect both our members on the job as well as the local communities in which projects take place,” said LIUNA General President Brent Booker… “If America is going to meaningfully reduce our emissions and truly address climate change, we need to connect much more clean energy to the grid,” said Citizens Climate Lobby’s Executive Director Ricky Bradley… “On behalf of grassroots activists across the country, we strongly applaud the introduction of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA).” said Brent Gardner, Chief Government Affairs Officer, Americans for Prosperity… “The bipartisan package would modernize NEPA, reduce duplicative reviews and unnecessary litigation, and provide greater certainty for critical projects. Congress should seize this moment and finish the job—making it easier to build the infrastructure America needs and helping keep costs down for consumers,” API President and CEO Mike Sommers said.”

STATE UPDATES

New Times SLO: BLM moves forward with oil leases near Carrizo Plain
Chloë Hodge, 10/8/26

“The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plans to offer 43 parcels totaling approximately 35,000 acres across San Luis Obispo, Kern, Kings, and Fresno counties at a Dec. 1 lease sale,” New Times SLO reports. “Nearly 13,000 of those acres are federal land and mineral rights in the Temblor Range along Carrizo Plain’s eastern boundary, according to an analysis by Los Padres ForestWatch, which is preparing to formally challenge portions of the sale. “We’re not talking about lands inside the monument boundary, but drilling immediately adjacent to the boundary can have a lot of spillover effects into the monument itself,” ForestWatch Executive Director Jeff Kuyper told New Times. Kuyper told New Times potential oil development around the monument could require clearing habitat for well pads and access roads while bringing noise and air pollution to the largely undeveloped landscape. Spills could also contaminate soil or water, he told New Times.”

EXTRACTION

Reuters: The world has nearly burned through its oil stockpile buffer, executives say
Robert Harvey, Stephanie Kelly and Shadia Nasralla, 10/6/26

“The amount of oil in storage that is accessible to the global market is running low, industry executives said at a forum in London this week, making the market more fragile and putting upward pressure on prices,” Reuters reports. “…Less than 6 billion barrels of commercial inventories remain today, with the vast majority not practically available, so the system is already straining,” Amin Nasser, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s state oil company Saudi Aramco, said at the Energy Intelligence Forum in London. More than 1 billion barrels of oil have been released mainly from onshore commercial inventories since the start of this year’s Middle East crisis, which was the last major tool in the box, Nasser said… “The loss of the oil market’s buffers has made the market more fragile, Chevron CEO Mike Wirth said on Tuesday, adding that this has increased oil’s price floor. Oil market turmoil will continue beyond next year, executives said at the conference on Monday, as it could take years to refill inventories on top of meeting global demand.”

Reuters: US power use to beat record highs in 2026 and 2027 as AI use surges, EIA says
Scott Disavino, 10/6/26

“US power consumption ‌will rise to record highs in 2026 and 2027, driven by AI-hungry data centers and electrification, the US Energy Information Administration said in its Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) on Tuesday.” Reuters reports. “The EIA projected that power demand will rise from a record 4,195 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in ​2025 to 4,288 billion kWh in 2026 and 4,356 billion kWh in 2027. Demand is surging largely due ​to data centers dedicated to artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency… “The EIA forecast that US wholesale electricity prices ​would average $52 per megawatt hour in 2026, 11% more than in 2025, primarily due to extreme weather events such ​as winter storms and higher-than-average summer temperatures… “As renewable output rises, the EIA said the share of power generation from coal will slide from 17% in 2025 to 16% in 2026 and 15% in 2027, ​while the share of natural ​gas will hold at ⁠40% in 2026, the same as in 2025, before easing to 39% in 2027.”

Reuters: High gas prices could make US LNG uncompetitive, says Fulcrum LNG chief
Curtis Williams, 10/6/26

“Liquefied natural gas projects in the US could become uncompetitive if domestic natural gas prices continue rising, the CEO of developer Fulcrum LNG, Jesus Bronchalo, said on Tuesday,” Reuters reports. “Speaking at a panel discussion at Rice University’s Baker Institute, Bronchalo said natural gas prices are likely to increase more in the US, already one of the most expensive places in the world to produce LNG. “Henry Hub is going to get to the point where it becomes too expensive or you are not going to be too competitive,” Bronchalo added, referring to the US gas price benchmark… “The US is also changing the way in which domestic LNG projects are being financed, with increasing use of private equity backed by government-backed sovereign wealth funds, said Sempra Infrastructure’s general counsel, Julie Mayo… “Sempra is one of the largest US LNG exporters, with its Cameron LNG and Port Arthur facilities producing LNG or under development.”

Reuters: Chevron to divest midstream assets in Bakken restructuring
Dharna Bafna, 10/6/26

“Chevron said on Tuesday it had agreed to sell its stakes in Hess Midstream and DJ Basin crude oil midstream assets as part of a broader restructuring of its Bakken midstream agreements aimed at cutting costs and boosting returns,” Reuters reports. “The transaction would remove Hess Midstream from Chevron’s balance sheet, including about $3.7 billion of the unit’s debt… “Under the agreements, Chevron will also transfer its DJ Basin crude oil midstream assets to Hess Midstream. In exchange, it will get $200 million in cash, longer Bakken contracts on revised terms and new DJ Basin midstream contracts.”

Financial Times: ExxonMobil looks to offshore projects in Trinidad and Tobago for next boom
Verity Ratcliffe, Joe Daniels, 10/6/26

“ExxonMobil is looking to replicate Guyana’s oil and gas boom off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago, the company’s head of exploration said, as it pursues expansion in the basin to the east of Venezuela,” the Financial Times reports. “The oil and gas giant has found success in developing one of the world’s largest oilfields offshore from neighbouring Guyana, as the biggest shareholder in the Stabroek block. “A lot of people ask, ‘well, where’s the next Guyana?’” John Ardill, vice-president — head of global exploration, told FT. “In Trinidad, we moved in as a play extension to Guyana.” Development in Trinidad and Tobago was occurring at a much faster pace than in Guyana, Ardill told FT. Exxon had negotiated a production-sharing agreement with the government within seven months “which is about half as long as it usually takes on a good day.” “…The government of the dual-island nation this year aligned itself with the Trump administration in officially recognising Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez, seen as paving the way for greater energy co-operation. BP, Shell, and the government of Trinidad and Tobago are pursuing cross-border agreements with Caracas and Washington to supply the country’s LNG industry with Venezuelan gas… “The US oil major sees its success in Guyana as vindication of its strategy to keep investing in exploring for oil and gas even when some competitors stepped back.”

Upstream: Eni installs world’s first offshore CCS platform
Rebecca Conan, 10/8/26

“Italian supermajor Eni said on Monday that it has installed the world’s first purpose built offshore platform dedicated to carbon capture and storage in the UK North Sea,” Upstream reports. “Delivered in under 18 months, Eni’s platform anchors HyNet, among the UK’s first CCS projects to start construction.”

Moscow Times: Sochi Closes Beaches After Drone Attack Sets Oil Tanker Ablaze
10/7/26

“Authorities in Russia’s Black Sea resort city of Sochi and the neighboring federal territory of Sirius closed beaches after a tanker caught fire offshore following a reported attack by naval drones, officials said Tuesday,” the Moscow Times reports. “Sochi Mayor Andrei Proshunin said the city’s beaches and waterfront promenades would remain closed until further notice. The decision followed a meeting with security officials, emergency responders and public health and weather agencies… “Preliminary reports identified the vessel as the Aframax Rio, which may have been carrying between 95,000 and 100,000 metric tons of oil, according to open-source information cited by the independent news outlet Astra. Transportation Minister Andrei Nikitin said the oil-laden tanker had been attacked by unmanned boats… “The ministry maintained that the fire on board the Aframax Rio did not cause an oil spill.”

OPINION

Badger Herald: Wisconsin needs to get serious about Line 5
Kiran Mistry, Opinion Editor, 10/7/26

“Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline is in the news again, this time for spilling 1.3 million gallons of natural gas liquids after an unoccupied truck struck the pipeline and ruptured it, according to Wisconsin Public Radio. The preventable disaster is the largest spill in Wisconsin history, thankfully contained to the areas immediately around the pipeline without any adverse effects on the ecology or humans. In the wake of this near miss, Wisconsinites must reevaluate, again, how we got here and how to move forward,” Kiran Mistry writes for the Badger Herald. “…Wisconsin needs to take the risk posed seriously, not only by the age of the pipeline, which surpassed its operational lifetime 23 years ago in 2003, but the risks of attempting a rapid construction of the pipeline near the shores and waters of rivers and Lake Superior that is depended upon by the people who live near them… “Enbridge has been callous with its pipeline operations, from refusing to take any steps toward resolving its trespass on the Bad River tribe’s land to the extreme negligence that led to this accident… “It should be noted that Enbridge is now doing construction in more sensitive areas than it was 73 years ago when it first built the pipeline. Operating further upstream of the White, Marengo and Bad Rivers means the damage caused by a spill entering any of these waterways is greater. With the level of care that needs to be taken to minimize damage to these ecosystems, Enbridge does not seem a worthy custodian, nor one that can be regulated into safety. Unless we want to be the next victim of Enbridge’s negligence, it is crucial to bring them into compliance or remove their ability to cause harm to Wisconsin and its environment.”

American Council on Science and Health: EPA didn’t scrap clean-air rules: the real story behind the carbon mandate rollback
Thom Golab, 10/8/26

“…The EPA left longstanding protections on criteria pollutants completely intact, targeting only unproven and costly carbon-capture mandates,” Thom Golab writes for the American Council on Science and Health. “As extreme climate models face a long-overdue scientific reckoning, the agency’s decision corrects administrative overreach, aligning federal energy policy with the law, science and economic reality rather than perpetual environmental alarmism… “The agency simply repealed the previous administration’s 2024 Carbon Pollution Standards, which mandated carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology for long-lived coal and new baseload gas plants. One of the fundamental problems with the now-repealed rule is that capture technology has never been adequately proven as a nationwide compliance mandate, given the lack of necessary pipeline and storage infrastructure and the prohibitive costs… “Following Supreme Court rulings such as West Virginia v. EPA, the federal government is again recognizing that unelected bureaucrats cannot stretch the Clean Air Act to force a wholesale restructuring of American energy grids through de facto retire-or-capture mandates… “Forcing the entire grid onto unproven carbon-capture mandates was an unworkable mistake from the start, and EPA is simply acting in accordance with that well-established conclusion.”