Articles tagged with "oil-and-gas"
Trump Administration Considers Endangered Species Act Exemption to Support Oil & Gas Activities in Gulf of Mexico - CleanTechnica
The Trump Administration is considering invoking an exemption under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to support oil and gas activities in the Gulf of Mexico. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced that the Endangered Species Committee, often called the “God Squad,” will meet on March 31 to discuss this potential exemption. This committee has the authority to override ESA protections, which is significant given that the Gulf of Mexico is home to the critically endangered Rice’s whale, with fewer than 100 individuals estimated to remain. The National Marine Fisheries Service has previously found that oil and gas operations in the region are likely to jeopardize the whale’s survival. Environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, strongly oppose this move. They argue that the ESA is meant to prevent extinctions, not to be circumvented to benefit corporate interests. The Sierra Club’s National Wildlife Campaign Manager, Ben Greuel, criticized the administration for prioritizing oil and gas profits over the survival of vulnerable species, warning that such actions could push the Rice
energyoil-and-gasendangered-speciesenvironmental-policyGulf-of-Mexicoconservationwildlife-protectionSierra Club Statement on Western Arctic Oil & Gas Lease Sale - CleanTechnica
The article reports on a recent oil and gas lease sale conducted by the Trump Administration in the Western Arctic, covering over 1.3 million acres of public lands. This area, totaling more than 23 million acres and roughly the size of Indiana, is the largest contiguous expanse of national public lands in the U.S. It includes critical habitats for wildlife, including migratory birds and threatened Arctic species, as well as lands integral to the subsistence traditions of the Iñupiat communities. The lease sale was enabled by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and follows the administration’s recent revocation of protections on over 2 million acres in northern Alaska, facilitating potential privatization. In response, Mike Scott, Sierra Club’s oil and gas campaign manager, condemned the sale, emphasizing the environmental risks and cultural impacts. He criticized the administration for prioritizing oil industry profits over the preservation of one of the country’s last wild places, warning that drilling in the Arctic would cause irreversible damage without addressing the energy
energyoil-and-gasArctic-drillingenvironmental-impactpublic-landsclean-energywildlife-conservationGulf & Environment Groups Respond To Public Waters Sell-off To Oil Industry - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the Trump administration’s recent large-scale offshore oil and gas lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico, conducted by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). This auction covered 80 million acres and is part of a series of planned Gulf sales through 2040, mandated by a Trump-era tax and spending law. Environmental and Gulf advocacy groups sharply criticized the sale, arguing that it prioritizes oil industry profits over the health of coastal ecosystems, wildlife, and communities. They highlight that offshore drilling is highly risky and environmentally damaging, and express concern over recent regulatory changes that reduce oil companies’ financial responsibility for environmental cleanup, potentially leaving taxpayers liable for abandoned infrastructure costs. Despite soaring energy prices, the administration received significantly fewer bids compared to a December sale, with most bids focused on deep and ultra-deepwater areas, which are considered high-risk. Critics emphasize that the administration has failed to adequately assess the environmental and economic risks of these lease sales, including the potential for catastrophic oil spills and harm
energyoil-and-gasoffshore-drillingfossil-fuelsenvironmental-impactpublic-watersenergy-policyTrump’s War on Iran Could Screw Over US Farmers
The article highlights the growing risk that escalating conflict in the Strait of Hormuz poses to global fertilizer supplies, which could severely impact American farmers during the critical spring planting season. The region is a major hub for exporting key fertilizer components—phosphates, nitrogen (including urea and ammonia), and potash. Recent drone strikes on Qatar LNG facilities have taken nearly 20% of the world’s natural gas supply offline, causing a spike in gas prices and forcing Qatar Energy to halt production of nitrogen fertilizers like urea. Iran, another major exporter of nitrogen fertilizers, is also involved in the conflict, further tightening supplies. Prices for urea in the US have already risen by nearly 15% in a week, and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is slowing exports from other regional producers. The situation is exacerbated by Saudi Arabia’s significant role in US phosphate imports, with other regional players like Jordan, Egypt, and Israel also contributing to the market. Some manufacturers are preemptively shutting
energyfertilizernatural-gasnitrogen-fertilizerglobal-supplyagricultureoil-and-gasIEA Focus On Clean Energy Gives US Officials Heartburn - CleanTechnica
The article discusses tensions between the U.S. government and the International Energy Agency (IEA) over the agency’s evolving focus on clean energy. Originally established in the 1970s to monitor oil and gas supplies, the IEA has shifted its emphasis over the past decade toward renewable energy sources like wind and solar. By 2020, the IEA had largely ceased reporting on fossil fuels, prioritizing clean energy instead. This shift has caused friction with U.S. officials, particularly those aligned with pro-fossil fuel policies, who have pressured the IEA to revert to its original mandate of focusing on oil and methane production. The U.S., as the primary funder of the IEA, asserts influence over the agency’s direction, though other countries like the UK continue to support the IEA’s clean energy initiatives with additional funding. The article highlights the political divide in the U.S., where some officials reject the scientific consensus on climate change and oppose the IEA’s green energy agenda
energyclean-energyrenewable-energyInternational-Energy-Agencyenergy-policyoil-and-gasenergy-transitionHundreds of Thousands of People Across U.S. Voice Opposition to Trump’s Plan to Expand Offshore Drilling - CleanTechnica
The article reports widespread opposition across the United States to the Trump administration’s proposal to significantly expand offshore oil and gas drilling along the coastlines of Alaska, the Gulf of Mexico, and California. Nearly 300,000 Americans submitted public comments opposing the plan during the 60-day comment period, which ended on January 23. Communities, local officials, businesses, tourism advocates, and environmental groups organized numerous public events such as town halls and hearings to voice concerns about the environmental, economic, and national security risks posed by the proposed 34 lease sales. Key critics, including the Sierra Club, emphasize the dangers of oil spills, toxic pollution, and long-term damage to fisheries and coastal economies, warning that the plan prioritizes corporate interests over public and ecological welfare. Activists staged high-profile demonstrations, including a banner display at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, to highlight the potential consequences of offshore drilling. Scientific visualizations from oceanographers demonstrate how quickly oil spills could spread via ocean currents and winds, threatening
energyoffshore-drillingoil-and-gasenvironmental-impactpublic-oppositioncoastal-ecosystemsenergy-policyTaking Stock of the Trump Administration's Assault on the Environment at One Year - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica critically examines the Trump administration’s environmental policies during its first year, characterizing them as the most severe assault on the environment and public health in U.S. history. Since taking office, the administration has rolled back numerous regulations designed to protect clean air, water, wildlife, and public lands, undermining decades of progress in environmental oversight. These actions include increasing allowable air pollution by granting exemptions to industries, threatening millions of miles of streams and wetlands by weakening protections, and promoting oil and gas drilling without adequate environmental review. The administration has also curtailed fuel economy standards that would have reduced consumer costs and emissions, while simultaneously purging experienced environmental professionals from key agencies and placing industry-friendly officials in charge. The article highlights the broader consequences of these policies, noting that they have led to rising energy costs for consumers and hindered the growth of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. By blocking or delaying clean energy projects and suppressing the cheapest forms of electricity generation, the administration
energyenvironmental-policyair-pollutionoil-and-gasclean-energyenergy-securityclimate-changeSierra Club Notice of Intent to Sue Flags Agency Failures to Protect Arctic Polar Bears from Oil & Gas Activities - CleanTechnica
The Sierra Club, along with allied organizations represented by Trustees for Alaska, has filed a notice of intent to sue the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) for violations of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The lawsuit challenges the agencies’ approval of expanded oil and gas exploration, drilling, and development in the Coastal Plain of the Arctic Refuge, a critical maternal denning habitat for the highly vulnerable Southern Beaufort Sea polar bear population. The Sierra Club contends that the FWS’s September 2025 biological opinion, which underpins the BLM’s leasing program, contains significant legal flaws and underestimates the detrimental impacts of these activities on polar bears and their habitat. The Coastal Plain is particularly important because it has a higher density of maternal denning sites than most other northern Alaska regions, and polar bear cubs under two months old are extremely vulnerable, unable to survive outside their dens. The Sierra Club’s Oil and Gas Campaign
energyoil-and-gasenvironmental-lawArctic-wildlifepolar-bearsendangered-specieshabitat-protectionMethane regulations are proven, cost-effective, and a no-brainer - Clean Energy Canada
Rachel Doran, executive director of Clean Energy Canada, praised the federal government’s updated methane regulations as a straightforward, cost-effective measure to reduce potent greenhouse gas emissions from oil, gas producers, and landfills. She emphasized that these regulations align with Canada’s carbon competitiveness strategy and offer a practical way to address near-term climate change impacts without imposing significant costs on producers. British Columbia’s success in surpassing its methane reduction targets ahead of schedule was highlighted as evidence of the effectiveness of such policies. However, Doran expressed disappointment over delays and reduced ambition in methane regulation efforts, particularly between Alberta and the federal government, referring to methane mitigation as “low-hanging fruit” in climate policy. She stressed the importance of maintaining strong regulatory standards in any future provincial equivalency agreements to ensure meaningful emissions reductions and economic competitiveness. The federal government’s commitment to fully implementing these regulations in the coming months is seen as critical to preserving their intended impact.
energymethane-regulationsgreenhouse-gasclimate-changeoil-and-gasemissions-reductionclean-energyThe Orphan Well Case For Renewable Energy
The article "The Orphan Well Case For Renewable Energy" highlights Oklahoma as a critical example in the debate over transitioning to renewable energy. While the state has successfully developed its wind energy resources, its longstanding oil and gas industry continues to cause significant environmental harm. Oklahoma, historically a major crude oil and natural gas producer, now faces the legacy of tens of thousands of abandoned wells—potentially over 300,000—that leak pollutants, including oil, gas, and fracking wastewater, into the environment. These abandoned wells pose ongoing risks to air, water, and soil quality, with a troubling rise in “purge” events where fracking waste unexpectedly surfaces, often due to unsafe pressure practices by waste disposal operators. The article underscores that these environmental problems are exacerbated by regulatory failures, as state officials have not effectively enforced safe pressure limits or adequately addressed well capping. Although collaboration with federal agencies like the EPA seems unlikely under current political conditions, state-level action could mitigate some of the damage if sufficient
energyrenewable-energyoil-and-gasnatural-gasfrackingenvironmental-impactabandoned-wellsHow to develop oil and gas software: Step-by-step guide
The article "How to develop oil and gas software: Step-by-step guide" highlights the transformative role of digital technologies in the energy sector, emphasizing that data-driven solutions have become essential for modern oil and gas operations. It explains that the industry is undergoing a digital revolution with IoT sensors on drilling platforms, cloud-based SCADA systems, and real-time analytics enabling predictive maintenance and operational efficiency. These digital tools are no longer optional but fundamental for reducing downtime, preventing costly breakdowns, and supporting sustainable energy models focused on emission reduction and resource efficiency. Key characteristics that distinguish oil and gas software include the ability to process massive volumes of real-time data from sensors and geophysical surveys, integration with IoT and SCADA for remote asset control, stringent security requirements to prevent cyber threats that could cause environmental or financial disasters, and high reliability to avoid costly process stoppages. Practical applications include AI-driven drilling data analytics to forecast equipment failure, drone and sensor-based pipeline monitoring to detect leaks early, and predictive maintenance systems
IoTenergyoil-and-gaspredictive-maintenanceSCADA-systemsreal-time-analyticsdigital-transformationSierra Club Statement on House Votes to Overturn Public Lands Protections - CleanTechnica
House Republicans have passed resolutions using the Congressional Review Act (CRA) aimed at overturning protections for millions of acres of public lands in Alaska and Wyoming. These resolutions target land management plans for the Arctic Refuge and Western Arctic in Alaska, as well as the Buffalo region in Wyoming, threatening over 13 million acres of critical habitat for species such as caribou, migratory birds, and polar bears. While the resolution concerning the Western Arctic has been sent to the White House for expected approval by former President Donald Trump, the others await Senate action. The Sierra Club strongly condemns these moves, with Athan Manuel, director of its Lands Protection Program, accusing Congressional Republicans of prioritizing corporate interests over environmental preservation and public health. Rob Joyce, director of the Sierra Club Wyoming Chapter, criticized the attempt to revive coal leasing in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin, noting that recent lease sales have failed due to lack of demand and that coal mining is not economically viable. The Sierra Club emphasizes the importance of protecting public
energypublic-landscoal-leasingArctic-Refugeenvironmental-protectionoil-and-gasSierra-ClubTrump Administration’s Alaska Lands Giveaway - CleanTechnica
The article reports on recent decisions by the Trump administration, announced by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, to open large areas of Alaska’s public lands to oil and gas development and infrastructure projects. Key actions include opening the entire Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) for drilling, repealing the previous administration’s leasing program protections, and approving two controversial road projects: the Ambler mining road, which will cut a 211-mile corridor through pristine wilderness including Gates of the Arctic National Park, and a road through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge via a land exchange with King Cove Corporation. Additionally, nearly 23,600 acres of national lands were transferred to the state of Alaska as part of the Ambler Road decision. These moves have sparked significant environmental and indigenous opposition. The Arctic Refuge is a critical habitat supporting hundreds of species and is central to the subsistence lifestyle of the Gwich’in people, who consider it a sacred place. Environmental groups like the Sierra Club condemn the decisions as
energyoil-and-gasArctic-National-Wildlife-Refugeenvironmental-impactland-useAlaskanatural-resourcesUS Taxpayers Will Pay Billions in New Fossil Fuel Subsidies Thanks to the Big Beautiful Bill
A recent report reveals that the Trump administration has introduced nearly $40 billion in new federal subsidies for oil, gas, and coal in 2025 through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, increasing annual fossil fuel subsidies by about $4 billion over the next decade. This addition raises the total federal support for domestic fossil fuels to at least $34.8 billion per year, marking the largest single-year increase in fossil fuel subsidies since at least 2017. These subsidies build on longstanding tax breaks, some dating back over a century, such as the 1913 deduction for drilling expenses, highlighting the entrenched nature of fossil fuel support in U.S. policy. Efforts to reduce fossil fuel subsidies have faced significant political obstacles. Although President Biden initially pledged to eliminate certain fossil fuel tax breaks to raise $35 billion over ten years, these plans were abandoned during climate legislation negotiations with Senator Joe Manchin, a key swing vote with ties to the coal industry. The resulting Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
energyfossil-fuelssubsidiesoil-and-gascarbon-captureclimate-policyrenewable-energyWhy heavy industry is hiring more contract engineers
Heavy industries such as energy, automotive, mining, and chemical sectors are increasingly shifting from traditional permanent engineering teams to flexible, project-based hiring of contract or “gig” engineers. This transformation is driven by factors including tight budgets, volatile markets, and the need for specialized skills—particularly in automation, controls, robotics, and digital upgrades—that may not be available internally. Following significant workforce reductions after the 2020 oil bust, companies now prefer assembling just-in-time engineering teams tailored to specific projects, avoiding the overhead and long-term commitments associated with full-time employees. Cost analyses reveal that contractors can be nearly half as expensive as full-time engineers when factoring in benefits and overhead, making contract staffing financially attractive in boom-and-bust industries. While this model offers agility and cost savings, it also presents challenges. Heavy industry projects often require deep system integration, and reliance on temporary staff can increase error rates and turnover due to less institutional knowledge. Consequently, companies must invest more in supervision and onboarding of contract engineers.
energyheavy-industrycontract-engineersautomationroboticsdigital-upgradesoil-and-gasIn Trump’s "Big Beautiful" Bill, Ugly Contradictions & Giveaways to Oil & Gas Industry - CleanTechnica
President Trump’s $4 trillion “Big Beautiful” spending bill, signed on July 4, contains significant contradictions regarding energy and climate policy. Despite Trump’s skepticism about climate change, the bill increases federal subsidies for carbon capture projects, but only if the captured gas is used to enhance oil and gas extraction. The legislation cuts support for wind and solar energy—some of the cheapest energy sources—leading to an expected rise in average household energy costs by about $280 annually. It also phases out subsidies for electric vehicles, clean energy, and energy-efficient appliances, while providing substantial tax breaks and subsidies to the oil and gas industry. Key giveaways to fossil fuel companies include a reduction in royalty rates for drilling on public lands from 16.7% (set by the Inflation Reduction Act under Biden) to 12.5%, and the requirement for the Department of the Interior to conduct at least 30 offshore lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico, offering a minimum of 80 million acres each. The bill
energyoil-and-gascarbon-capturesubsidiesfederal-landsdrilling-rightsclimate-policyShale’s Self-Inflicted Crisis: Wastewater Injection Is Sinking Profits - CleanTechnica
The shale industry is confronting a self-inflicted crisis driven by excessive wastewater injection practices, particularly in major basins like East Texas and the Permian. These practices have caused extreme overpressure in underground formations, significantly increasing the costs and operational challenges of drilling new wells. Historically treated as a low-cost disposal method, wastewater injection into mid-depth formations has led to unintended fracturing and migration of pressurized fluids, resulting in elevated subsurface pressures. This overpressure necessitates heavier drilling mud, slower drilling rates, additional casing and cementing, and more complex hydraulic fracturing designs, all of which inflate drilling and completion costs by hundreds of thousands of dollars per well. Beyond cost increases, the overpressure conditions are damaging well integrity due to corrosive produced water, causing frequent well failures and costly interventions. These operational difficulties are pushing many previously profitable shale sites into marginal or uneconomic territory, raising the breakeven price for production substantially. The article highlights this as a classic tragedy of the commons scenario, where
energyshale-industrywastewater-injectiondrilling-costshydraulic-fracturingsubsurface-pressureoil-and-gasAnalysts Say Trump Trade Wars Would Harm the Entire US Energy Sector, From Oil to Solar
energytrade-warstariffsrenewable-energyoil-and-gasUS-economyglobal-recessionA Perfect Storm For Energy Is Coming To The US
energyclean-powernuclear-poweroil-and-gascoalrenewable-energyenergy-transitionBước phát triển mới trong hợp tác dầu khí Việt Nam Liên bang Nga
energyoil-and-gasinternational-cooperationVietnamRussiaenergy-securitysustainable-development