QSA's Week in Oil & Gas (#22, 2025)

Ottawa proposes internal trade and major project legislation; Competition Bureau issues final greenwashing guidelines; StatsCan reports lower Q1 oil/gas investment; US moves to revise Alaska oil reserve rules; PHMSA launches LNG facility safety reviews.

QSA's Week in Oil & Gas (#22, 2025)

Good morning! This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news concerning oil and gas production, wells, drilling, petroleum and fuels refining, pipelines, LNG, hydrocarbons, and all Landman fans. Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.


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Start Date: 2025-06-01
End Date: 2025-06-07

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal GR News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal GR News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial GR News
• 📱 Public Officials' Social Media
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week


Canadian Federal GR News

Federal Government Tables 'One Canadian Economy' Bill to Fast-Track Major Projects and Remove Internal Trade Barriers

On June 6, the federal government introduced the One Canadian Economy Act, combining the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act. The proposed legislation aims to eliminate federal barriers to internal trade and labour mobility, and to accelerate the approval and construction of major nation-building projects such as pipelines, ports, and energy transmission. Projects deemed in the national interest would be identified through a schedule, established in consultation with provinces, territories, and Indigenous groups, and benefit from a streamlined permitting process coordinated by a new Major Projects Office. A single conditions document, issued by a designated minister, would consolidate all relevant federal approvals, reducing timelines for major project decisions from five to two years. The legislation also doubles the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program to $10 billion to encourage Indigenous equity participation. On the regulatory front, goods and services meeting comparable provincial standards would be recognized for federal purposes, and provincial/territorial certifications for workers would be recognized in federal jurisdictions. The bill follows a consensus at the June 2 First Ministers’ Meeting to prioritize construction of infrastructure to connect Canadian energy and goods to global markets.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca, Announcements: www.canada.ca
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Competition Bureau Releases Final Guidelines on Environmental Claims and Greenwashing

On June 5, the Competition Bureau Canada published its final guidelines for environmental claims, following public consultations and recent amendments to the Competition Act targeting greenwashing. The guidelines clarify that companies remain free to make environmental claims, provided those claims are not false or misleading and are backed by proper testing or substantiation when required. The guidance incorporates feedback from over 400 submissions and responds to new obligations imposed by amendments passed in June 2024. Businesses are encouraged to review the guidelines to ensure compliance before making environmental claims, as the Bureau will apply the new provisions when assessing potential violations.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Federal Investment Supports Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Expansion in British Columbia

On June 5, Pacific Economic Development Canada announced a $466,956 investment in the Canadian Hydrogen Association to help British Columbia’s hydrogen and fuel cell companies expand into global markets. The funding, delivered through the Regional Innovation Ecosystem program, is intended to support 40 small- and medium-sized businesses by attracting investment and showcasing their capabilities at international platforms, including the hy-fcell Expo in Vancouver. With over half of Canada’s hydrogen firms located in B.C., the region represents a significant share of the nation’s low-emission energy sector. The announcement builds on a previous $9.4 million federal investment in the Clean Hydrogen Hub at Simon Fraser University, aimed at advancing hydrogen production and technology.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Data: Oil and Gas Capital Expenditures Down 6% in Q1 2025

Statistics Canada reported on June 2 that capital spending in the oil and gas extraction industries fell by 6.0% in the first quarter of 2025, totaling $10.6 billion. This decrease marks a shift from recent trends and may affect investment planning and project timelines across the sector.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

StatsCan: Primary Energy Production Up 6.2% in March; Refined Products Drive Modest Secondary Growth

March 2025 data from Statistics Canada shows primary energy production increased 6.2% year over year, reaching 2.1 million terajoules. Five out of six energy subsectors reported gains. Secondary energy production edged up 0.6%, with refined petroleum products contributing the largest share of that increase.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

Canada Energy Regulator: Sparta Energy Applies for Electricity Export to U.S.

The Canada Gazette reported on June 7 that Sparta Energy, Inc. has submitted an application to the Canada Energy Regulator to export electricity to the United States. The application process includes provisions for Canadian buyers to access equivalent terms, and documents can be filed via the CER’s online platform or by email.

Sources: Gazette, Part I: www.gazette.gc.ca

US Federal GR News

BLM Proposes Rescission of 2024 Alaska Petroleum Reserve Rule, Citing Statutory Authority and National Energy Policy

On June 3, the Bureau of Land Management released a proposed rule to rescind the May 2024 regulations governing the management and protection of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A). The agency asserts the 2024 rule conflicts with the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act and recent presidential directives, including E.O. 14153, which prioritize energy extraction on federal lands in Alaska. The proposal would revert regulations to their pre-2024 status, with the BLM arguing that the newer provisions unnecessarily complicated approval processes and imposed restrictions inconsistent with congressional intent. The agency is soliciting comment through August 4 on statutory consistency, regulatory impacts (including for small entities), and economic effects of both the rescission and the 2024 rule. The move is positioned as part of a broader deregulation and energy expansion agenda.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

PHMSA Initiates Environmental Impact Study for LNG Facility Rule Amendments

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) announced on June 6 its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement analyzing proposed changes to pipeline safety regulations for liquefied natural gas facilities under 49 CFR part 193. These amendments implement mandates from the PIPES Acts of 2016 and 2020 and update industry standards, including referencing NFPA 59A (2023). The EIS will assess potential impacts on public safety, air quality, socioeconomic factors, land use, and cultural resources. Stakeholders have until July 7 to submit comments, which will inform both the EIS and the forthcoming Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

FERC Launches Environmental Reviews for Multiple Natural Gas Infrastructure Projects

On June 6, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) initiated scoping periods for two major natural gas projects: Gulf South Pipeline’s Southeast Compression for Utility Reliability Expansion Project in Louisiana and Mississippi, and Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline’s Cedar Vale Compressor Station Project in Oklahoma. The Gulf South project proposes to increase capacity by 280,000 dekatherms per day through upgrades to existing compressor stations and the addition of a new facility, while Southern Star’s project aims to deliver 98,000 dekatherms per day to Kansas and Missouri. FERC is collecting public input on environmental effects and alternative measures through June 30, with analyses to include impacts on land, water, wildlife, air quality, and cultural resources.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov, U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

DOE Considers Extended Export Deadlines for Lake Charles and Delfin LNG Projects

The Department of Energy's Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management received separate requests from Lake Charles LNG Export Company, LLC and Delfin LNG LLC to extend their commencement-of-export deadlines for non-FTA LNG export authorizations. Lake Charles LNG seeks to move its operational deadline to December 31, 2031 (from December 16, 2025), aligning with FERC’s recent extension of its construction deadline. Delfin LNG requests an extension to June 1, 2031 (from June 1, 2029) and approval for a redesign reducing its FLNG vessels from four to three, without altering authorized export volumes. Public comments on both requests are due in early July.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov, U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

Canadian Provincial GR News

Alberta Eases Inspection Rules for Oilfield Service Rigs

The Alberta government signed an agreement with the Canadian Association of Energy Contractors allowing oilfield service rig convoys to bypass certain Vehicle Inspection Stations, provided members meet safety benchmarks and utilize the Drivewyze preclear program.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Alberta Oil Sands Report Shows Lower Emissions Intensity Amid Production Growth

A government report released June 4 indicates Alberta’s oil sands have reduced greenhouse gas emissions per barrel by 26% since 2012, with overall oil sands production up 96% in the same period.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Ontario Introduces Affordable Energy Legislation to Address Rising Demand

Ontario tabled the Protect Ontario by Securing Affordable Energy for Generations Act, 2025, which would expand energy capacity and enable utilities to prioritize domestic projects, as well as support hydrogen development and nuclear infrastructure.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

BC Certifies Substantial Start for Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Pipeline

The BC Environmental Assessment Office determined that the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission pipeline has achieved a substantial start, maintaining its environmental approval and clearing the way for construction to proceed.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.gov.bc.ca

Alberta Minister Objects to Competition Bureau’s Environmental Claims Guidelines

On June 5, Alberta Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz issued a statement criticizing the Competition Bureau’s final guidelines on environmental claims, arguing they impose an international standard not suited to Canada’s context.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

Greg McLean, MP for Calgary Centre, posted that the 2023 Oil Sands Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensity Analysis shows a 26% reduction in emissions per barrel since 2012, with production nearly doubling over the same period.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Blake Richards, MP for Banff–Airdrie, used social media to urge for the repeal of Bill C-69, the end of the West Coast shipping ban, and scrapping of the industrial carbon tax, questioning federal support for pipeline construction.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Glen Motz, MP for Medicine Hat–Cardston–Warner, posted that the Parliamentary Budget Officer projects the federal oil and gas emissions cap will cost billions and result in significant job losses if unchanged.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Stephanie Kusie, MP for Calgary Midnapore, stated that Canadian natural resources are among the cleanest globally and noted her participation in a Canadian Biogas Association reception for industry updates.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator Mary Coyle posted that she questioned the government in the Senate regarding its ability to meet the 2035 target of cutting emissions by 45-50%.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week