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: 2025-08-31 to 2025-09-06

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Canadian Federal GR News

Canada Lowers Russian Oil Price Cap to US$47.60 per Barrel

On September 3, Global Affairs Canada announced amendments to the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations, reducing the price cap for Russian crude oil from US$60 to US$47.60 per barrel. The adjustment aligns with measures introduced by the European Union and United Kingdom and forms part of the federal government’s ongoing sanctions regime targeting Russian energy revenues. The new provisions outline a 45-day non-application period for goods already in transit at the time the changes come into force. The amendments were presented by Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and Minister of Finance and National Revenue François-Philippe Champagne, citing Canada’s role as G7 president in pursuing coordinated international action. The government indicated that the cap will be adaptable to future market or policy shifts.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Capital Spending in Oil and Gas Up 1.7% in Q2 2025

Statistics Canada’s quarterly report, published September 2, shows capital expenditures in oil and gas extraction reached $11.2 billion for Q2 2025, a 1.7% increase over the prior quarter. The figures track ongoing investment activity in the upstream segment, which remains a key indicator for the sector. Additional Q2 production or investment breakdowns are available in the full data release.

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

Primary Energy Production Rose in June; Refined Output Falls

Statistics Canada data for June 2025 indicate primary energy production rose by 2.0% year-over-year, with growth recorded in three of six sectors monitored. By contrast, refined petroleum product output declined 4.8% from previous periods—pointing to a contraction in secondary energy processing. These monthly figures are a reference for monitoring changing composition and short-term variability in upstream and downstream performance.

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

Natural Resources Canada to Announce Carbon Management Funding in B.C.

The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Tim Hodgson, scheduled for September 8 an announcement detailing new funding for carbon management technologies in British Columbia. The announcement is expected to address federal support for R&D and deployment in carbon management. Further details will be made available following the Minister’s address and subsequent media availability in Burnaby.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Order Amending Non-domestic Substances List Under CEPA, 1999

The Department of the Environment published Order 2025-66-04-02 in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on September 6, amending the Non-domestic Substances List under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), 1999. Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin signed the order, with updates aimed at chemical inventory tracking affecting multiple industrial sectors, including oil & gas.

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

Further Amendments to Non-domestic Substances List Enacted

Two additional orders, 2025-87-04-02 and 2025-87-06-02, were published in the September 6 issue of Canada Gazette, Part I, implementing further changes to the Non-domestic Substances List. These updates, also under Minister Julie Dabrusin’s authority, reflect continuous updates to Canada’s chemical regulatory framework per CEPA, which may affect supply chain and compliance requirements in energy-adjacent operations.

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

Minister Sidhu Engages Brazil and Colombia on Energy and Critical Minerals Trade

Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu concluded a visit to Brazil and Colombia, meeting with government and corporate leaders to advance bilateral trade and investment, with a focus on energy, critical minerals, and supply chains. In Brazil, Sidhu discussed the resumption of Canada-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement negotiations, energy sector collaboration, and technology exchange with ministers and mining executives. Meetings with provincial and municipal officials, as well as aviation and life sciences companies, addressed sectoral opportunities for Canadian firms. In Colombia, Sidhu held discussions with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, convened a business roundtable, and visited the SATENA aviation facility, referencing ongoing partnerships between Colombian carriers and Canadian manufacturers.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

US Federal GR News

White House Implements Framework Agreement with Japan Including U.S. LNG and Energy Exports

On September 5, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order to implement the U.S.-Japan Framework Agreement. The pact, originally announced in July, provides U.S. producers market access worth more than $15 billion and centers on national security and supply chain fortification. Under the terms, Japan committed to purchasing $7 billion annually in U.S. energy exports, including liquefied natural gas.

Sources: White House Announcements: www.whitehouse.gov

FERC Invites Comments on Rescinding Draft Updated Certificate Policy Statement

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a notice on September 5, following a proposal by the Secretary of Energy to rescind the commission’s 2022 draft Updated Certificate Policy Statement regarding the approval process for new interstate natural gas pipeline facilities. The Secretary’s letter, filed August 29, requests a return to the policy framework established in 1999.

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

FERC Combined Pipeline Rate and Tariff Filings for September

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission released a combined notice summarizing recent filings related to natural gas pipeline rates and negotiated agreements. As of September 5, numerous gas transmission and storage operators—including Black Hills/Kansas Gas Utility, Columbia Gulf Transmission, and Alliance Pipeline—filed tariff adjustments, cashout reports, credit agreement modifications, and other compliance actions with effective dates between September 1 and October 1, 2025.

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

PHMSA Requests Comment on LNG Facility Special Permit Application for Puerto Rico Terminal

On September 3, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) opened a public comment period for a special permit request submitted by EcoEléctrica, L.P., operator of an LNG terminal in Peñuelas, Puerto Rico. The permit seeks a waiver from federal pipeline safety regulations to allow the use of pipe-in-pipe containment technology for LNG transfer lines.

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

Arkansas Regional Haze SIP Revision Proposed for Approval by EPA

On September 5, the Environmental Protection Agency published a proposed rule approving Arkansas’s 2022 Regional Haze State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision under the Clean Air Act. The SIP addresses SO₂ and NOₓ emissions from several designated facilities affecting visibility in Federal Class I areas.

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

Canadian Provincial GR News

Alberta Accepts New Recommendations for Oil Sands Mine Water and Tailings Management

Alberta’s government received and accepted four new recommendations from the Oil Sands Mine Water Steering Committee related to treatment technology pilots, establishing release standards for treated mine water, criteria for end pit lakes, and expanded monitoring.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Premier Smith to Promote Alberta Energy in Colorado

Premier Danielle Smith will travel to Colorado September 7–9 to advance Alberta’s energy trade relations and participate in the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers conference, with a focus on North American energy security.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Saskatchewan Cites Emissions Reductions from EOR, Urges Federal EOR Tax Credit

Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Energy and Resources reported a 71% reduction in emissions from venting and flaring at upstream facilities since 2015 and called on the federal government to recognize enhanced oil recovery as an eligible use for the CCUS tax credit.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.saskatchewan.ca

Ontario Appoints Geoff Owen as Chair of the Ontario Energy Board

Geoff Owen has been named Chair of the Ontario Energy Board with a mandate to oversee the implementation of the province’s integrated long-term energy plan.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

New Brunswick Engages Stakeholders to Update Clean Air Act

The Government of New Brunswick launched consultations to update the province’s Clean Air Act, inviting feedback from industry, First Nations, and the public through a new online portal.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www2.gnb.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Alberta government creating standards for releasing oil tailings into environment: CBC details Alberta's plan to set standards for releasing oil sands tailings.
• Alberta vows to implement new standards for releasing treated oil sands mine water: The Globe and Mail covers Alberta’s approach to regulated releases from oil sands operations.
• Internal government list of 32 potential infrastructure projects includes new oil pipeline: The Globe and Mail reports on federal infrastructure planning.
• Alberta to create standards for releasing oilsands tailings into environment: The Star covers new regulatory moves in Alberta.
• N.B. government says it's in talks with companies over LNG pipeline possibilities: CBC examines pipeline discussions in New Brunswick.
• Enbridge gives go ahead for two natural gas transmission projects: The Globe and Mail reports on Enbridge’s capital allocation for new transmission builds.
• Could an oil pipeline to B.C.’s North Coast be back on the agenda?: Global News discusses renewed debate about pipeline routes to the West Coast.
• U.S. oil producer ConocoPhillips to cut workforce by up to 25%: The Globe and Mail reports on major layoffs at a U.S. oil major.

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