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.

Want to track the upstream and downstream forces affecting Oil & Gas? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Utilities & Power and Mining.

Dates: 2025-08-03 to 2025-08-09

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal GR News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal GR News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial GR News
• 💬 Government Consultations
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Canadian Federal GR News

Canada Announces $2.5 Million Investment in Direct Air Capture Technology in Ottawa

On August 8, Natural Resources Canada awarded $2.5 million through the Energy Innovation Program to TerraFixing, an Ottawa-based firm, for the development of direct air capture technology suited for cold climates. The investment aims to scale structured zeolite packing systems capable of capturing 1,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year, all contained within a shipping container and targeting costs below $100 per tonne at scale. The system is designed to improve capture efficiency by minimizing pressure drop and enhancing mass transport for CO₂. The project is positioned to attract attention from operators seeking cost-effective carbon management solutions that operate efficiently under Canadian conditions. Implementation will contribute to technological advancements in emissions reduction and may inform operational planning for companies considering adoption of emerging capture methods.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Ottawa Initiates Consultation on Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act

The Government of Canada has launched a federal consultation to support the development of regulations under the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act. The consultation, announced August 7, engages with businesses, industry, and labour to address interprovincial trade and labour mobility barriers. The Act is intended to recognize comparable regulatory requirements across provinces and territories, thereby reducing obstacles for businesses and workers moving goods and providing services nationwide. The process will define federal requirements, identify exceptions aimed at safeguarding health, safety, and the environment, and gather feedback relevant to refining the regulatory approach. Final regulations are slated for publication in fall 2025, and stakeholders have an opportunity to participate in both regional and national sessions or provide written input directly.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada to Lower Price Cap on Russian-Origin Crude Oil

The Department of Finance announced on August 8 that Canada, cooperating with the EU and UK, intends to lower the price cap on seaborne Russian-origin crude oil from US$60 to US$47.60 per barrel. The announcement, from Minister François-Philippe Champagne and Minister Anita Anand, targets further restriction of Russian revenues linked to military activity in Ukraine. Regulatory changes to enact the new price cap are expected within the coming weeks. This measure is designed in line with the G7 framework to reduce Russia’s funding while minimizing global supply chain impacts. The policy leaves room for future adjustments depending on changing energy market circumstances.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

New Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards for Fine Particulate Matter Announced

On August 9, the Ministers of Environment and Health published new Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS) for fine particulate matter (PM2.5), effective January 1, 2030, in the Canada Gazette, Part I. The standard sets a 24-hour average of 23 μg/m³ and an annual value of 8 μg/m³, based on a three-year rolling average. The updated CAAQS will replace previous 2020 objectives and were developed through consensus with provinces, territories, Indigenous representatives, and stakeholders under the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment. Regular review of the standards is planned to keep them consistent with emerging health and environmental science.

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

Ministerial Condition Issued on New Chemical Substance Use and Transfers

The Department of the Environment published Ministerial Condition No. 22175 under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, covering a new chemical substance’s manufacturing, transfer, and disposal requirements. Effective July 28, 2025, the conditions stipulate restrictions on end-use (prohibiting consumer and cosmetic manufacturing uses except under specific circumstances), detailed record-keeping, and rigorous environmental response obligations in the case of accidental or unauthorized release. The notifier and any transferees are required to document use, volumes, and disposal actions and must communicate ministerial conditions to downstream handlers. These requirements will apply for at least five years after records are created, supporting compliance and traceability throughout the industrial chemical supply chain.

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

2024 Canadian Industrial Chemicals Output: Ethylene Production Up, Ammonia and Urea Down

Statistics Canada reported on August 8 that Canadian ethylene production reached 5.4 million tonnes in 2024, a 5.1% year-over-year increase. In contrast, production of anhydrous ammonia fell by 1.2% to 4.7 million tonnes, and urea declined by 1.1% to 4.1 million tonnes. Ethylene is a core feedstock in the petrochemical sector, and shifts in its production may influence downstream demand and supply chain activity in related hydrocarbons.

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

US Federal GR News

White House Orders 25% Tariff on Indian Imports Due to Russian Oil Transactions

On August 6, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order imposing a 25% tariff on imports from India, effective August 27, 2025. The tariff action is in response to India’s ongoing purchase and resale of Russian-origin oil, which the administration identifies as counteracting U.S. and allied efforts to restrict Russia’s revenue streams amid the war in Ukraine.

Sources: White House Announcements: www.whitehouse.gov

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Issues Final Supplemental EIS for Texas LNG and Rio Grande LNG Projects

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released final supplemental Environmental Impact Statements for the Texas LNG Project and the Rio Grande LNG Terminal and Rio Bravo Pipeline Project on August 5. These documents were issued to address Court of Appeals decisions remanding earlier FERC approvals due to deficiencies in air quality data, environmental justice review, and consideration of carbon capture proposals.

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

FERC Dockets Dozens of Pipeline Rate, Tariff, and Operating Condition Filings

On August 6, FERC made available a batch of rate and refund filings from multiple pipeline operators, including Golden Pass Pipeline, Mountain West Overthrust Pipeline, Stingray Pipeline Company, Wyoming Interstate Company, Texas Eastern Transmission, Equitrans, El Paso Natural Gas Company, Rager Mountain Storage Company, Mountain Valley Pipeline, Columbia Gas Transmission, Scout V. Hugoton Gathering, Rover Pipeline, and others. .

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

BSEE Seeks Public Input for Renewal of Oil and Gas Well-Completion Operations Information Collection

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) announced on August 8 a request for public comments concerning the renewal of its information collection requirements on oil and gas well-completion operations, as detailed in 30 CFR part 250, subpart E. The collection mandates safety and technical data submissions from Outer Continental Shelf leaseholders.

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

TSA Requests Comments on Critical Facility Information Collection From Pipeline Operators

On August 4, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued a notice requesting public comment on a revised information collection related to the Critical Facility Security Review (CFSR) program. The review targets the 100 most critical pipeline operators in the U.S. and gathers data during site visits to assess the implementation of voluntary security guidelines. Recent changes include the removal of previously mandatory cybersecurity reporting requirements. The collection supports TSA’s ongoing security evaluation and regulatory assessment under the 9/11 Act. The comment period closes October 3, 2025, with an estimated annual burden of 800 hours distributed across participating facilities.

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

Canadian Provincial GR News

Ontario and Alberta Initiate Feasibility Study for New East-West Pipeline Corridor

On August 7, Ontario issued a request for proposals to study the feasibility of a new pipeline corridor connecting Alberta oil and gas with Ontario refineries and tidewater on James Bay, aiming to enhance energy security and domestic capacity.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Alberta Announces $12.7 Million Industry Funding for Underground Energy Projects

The Alberta government announced on August 5 that up to $12.7 million from the TIER program will support three projects utilizing natural underground resources for electricity storage, carbon sequestration, and lithium extraction.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Saskatchewan Oil and Gas Public Offering Raises Over $24 Million

Saskatchewan’s August 5 Crown oil and gas lease and exploration rights sale generated $24.3 million, the highest revenue from a public offering since August 2014, with the Estevan area responsible for the bulk of bids.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.saskatchewan.ca

Ontario, Alberta, and Saskatchewan Advance Joint Energy Corridor Initiative

Alberta, Ontario, and Saskatchewan reiterated their partnership on August 7, launching a joint feasibility study into a Canada-wide energy corridor that would expand oil, gas, and critical mineral transport to domestic and global markets.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Alberta Premier to Hold Energy Trade Mission in Mexico

Premier Danielle Smith will travel to Mexico City from August 10–13 for meetings with public and private sector leaders, aiming to attract energy investment and scout new opportunities for Alberta’s oil, gas, and resource sectors.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Government Consultations

What We're Reading This Week

• Opinion: Why the Carney government should treat the TMX pipeline as a model investment: The Globe and Mail calls for a closer look at the TMX pipeline’s investment case.
• EOG Resources: Evaluating a Key Player in the Oil Industry: Analysis of EOG Resources’ position and prospects in the global oil sector.
• ExxonMobil's Bold Bet on the Permian Basin: Massive Growth Ahead?: The Globe and Mail reports on ExxonMobil’s expanded activity and expectations for the Permian Basin.
• Energy Transfer Announces Natural Gas Pipeline Project to Serve Growing Southwestern U.S. Markets: Energy Transfer unveils plans for natural gas pipeline capacity serving the US Southwest.
• Venture Global Calcasieu Pass Receives Uprate Approval from U.S. Department of Energy: Venture Global’s Calcasieu Pass LNG terminal secures regulatory approval to increase capacity.
• ExxonMobil Guyana Begins Production at Fourth Offshore Guyana Project: ExxonMobil commences output at its fourth offshore project in Guyana, according to The Globe and Mail.

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