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

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Dates: 2026-04-12 to 2026-04-18

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Congressional Calendar
• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 🗺️ State Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• House Rules Committee to Meet on Rural Community Economy and Energy Policy Measures – April 20: The House Rules Committee will meet on April 20 in Capitol H-313 to consider H.R. 2289 (American Broadband Deployment Act), H.R. 4690 (Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act), H.R. 5587 (Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources Act), H.R. 1897 (ESA Amendments Act), and an energy-focused H. Res. supporting rural communities.
• House Natural Resources Schedules Markup of Domestic Mining and Energy Lease Bills – April 21: On April 21, the House Natural Resources Committee will mark up H.R. 1501, H.R. 1687 (CLEAN Act), H.R. 5929 (Critical Minerals Supply Chain Resiliency Act), and related measures in Longworth 1324.
• House Subcommittee on National Intelligence Enterprise Holds Closed DOE Budget Hearing – April 21: The House Intelligence Subcommittee on the National Intelligence Enterprise will hold a closed FY27 budget hearing for the Department of Energy on April 21 at 2:00 PM in Capitol HVC-304.
• House Natural Resources Subcommittee to Review Tribal Resource Development – April 22: On April 22, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs will hold an oversight hearing titled "Tribal Natural Resource Development: Barriers and Successes" in Longworth 1334.
• House Energy and Commerce Schedules Hearing on Supply Chains and US Environmental Law – April 22: The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment will convene on April 22 in Rayburn 2123 for a hearing on the impact of US environmental laws on critical materials supply chains, national security, and economic growth.
• Senate Appropriations to Hold DOE FY27 Budget Justification Hearing – April 22: The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development will examine proposed FY2027 budget estimates and justification for the Department of Energy on April 22 in Dirksen 124.

Federal Government News

Presidential Permits Issued for Enbridge and Bakken Cross-Border Pipeline Facilities

On April 15, 2026, President Trump issued a series of Presidential permits authorizing Enbridge Energy Company, Enbridge Energy Limited Partnership, Bakken Pipeline Company LP, and Enbridge Pipelines (Southern Lights) L.L.C.—all Delaware-based subsidiaries of Canada’s Enbridge Inc.—to operate and maintain, or construct and maintain, existing pipeline facilities at the U.S.-Canada border in St. Clair County, Michigan, and Pembina/Burke Counties, North Dakota. The permits cover crude oil and petroleum product pipelines, but exclude natural gas lines regulated under the Natural Gas Act, and in most cases supersede prior permits issued between 1953 and 2017. Operators are required to comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, obtain all necessary safety and environmental permits, maintain facilities in good repair, allow inspection, and report ownership changes. The permits reserve for the U.S. the right to take possession of these assets for national security, subject to compensation. Each permit will remain in effect unless revoked, amended, or terminated by the President.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov

DOE Considers Corpus Christi Stage 4 LNG Export Application

The Department of Energy has opened public comment on the Corpus Christi Liquefaction Stage IV, LLC application for long-term, multi-contract authorization to export up to 1,200 Bcf/year of domestically produced LNG to non-Free Trade Agreement countries from its proposed Stage 4 expansion in San Patricio and Nueces Counties, Texas. The application, filed March 19, 2026, seeks a 25-year export term upon project completion. The DOE will review the application under NGA section 3(a) and perform a National Environmental Policy Act review before issuing a final decision. Stakeholders must submit comments by June 15, 2026. The project includes four new liquefaction trains, two storage tanks, three flares, a third marine berth, and related infrastructure.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Sabine Pass Liquefaction Requests Authorization for LNG Re-exports

Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC submitted an application to the DOE for two-year blanket authorization to export previously imported LNG (not domestically produced) to non-Free Trade Agreement countries from its Louisiana terminal. The requested term would start June 7, 2026, as the existing order expires June 6, 2026. The export volume is capped at the equivalent of 500 Bcf of natural gas, and no domestic gas is involved in this re-export. Comments and interventions must be filed by May 18, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Maritime Administration Releases Draft EIS for Offshore ST LNG Deepwater Port

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) made available the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed ST LNG Deepwater Port in offshore Matagorda, Texas. The project, located approximately 10.4 nautical miles off the Texas coast, plans to export up to 8.4 million tonnes per annum of LNG. Public comments on the DEIS are requested within 45 days after EPA publication; an open house and public meeting will be held in Bay City, Texas, on May 6, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FERC Issues Notices for Natural Gas Pipeline Projects, Environmental Reviews, and Regulatory Collections

FERC published several notices this week: the annual extension request for three regulatory information collections—FERC-547 (Gas Pipeline Rate Refund Report), FERC-550 (Oil Pipeline Rates and Tariff Studies), and FERC-914 (Cogeneration and Small Power Production Tariffs)—with a combined estimated industry burden exceeding 14,400 hours annually. The agency also received pipeline and rate-related filings from El Paso Natural Gas, Viking Gas, National Grid LNG, NEXUS Gas Transmission, Carlsbad Gateway, and others, each with specified comment deadlines. Major project review milestones: Northern Natural Gas’ Ventura to Farmington A-Line Abandonment and Northern Lights 2027 Expansion Project (scoping comments due May 13, 2026); Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline’s proposed 19.3-mile Kansas project (EA scheduled for October 9, 2026, 90-day authorization deadline January 7, 2027); Texas Eastern Transmission’s request to abandon a 13.45-mile Gulf of Mexico pipeline; and Enable Mississippi River Transmission’s EA review for the Ameren Big Hollow Project in Illinois-Missouri. All projects are open for public comment on procedural and environmental grounds.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov

White House CEQ Launches Permitting Innovators Program

The White House Council on Environmental Quality announced on April 15, 2026, a new public-private Permitting Innovators program to modernize federal environmental reviews. The program, administered with NASA’s Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation, is soliciting technology partners to address permitting delays identified in the Permitting Technology Action Plan. Solutions will be showcased at the inaugural Permitting Innovators Expo in summer 2026 and included in a federal Solutions Catalog. Details and sign-up options are available online.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Legislative Updates

House and Senate Bills Seek to Prohibit Energy Sector Liability for Product Use

H.R. 8330 and S. 4340 were introduced in the House and Senate, both aiming to prohibit liability against parties engaged in energy mining, extraction, production, refinement, transportation, and related activities for damages or injunctive relief stemming from the use of their products. Each bill was referred to its respective Judiciary Committee.

Sources: www.congress.gov, www.congress.gov

Legislation Introduced to Restrict Emergency Authority Supporting Fossil Fuel Power Plants

S. 4337 would prohibit the use of certain emergency authorities to keep fossil fuel electric generating facilities online. The bill was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Natural Gas Act Review Coordination Bill Filed

S. 4300 seeks to promote interagency coordination for reviewing authorizations under the Natural Gas Act. After introduction, the bill was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Clean Air Act Reform Bills Advance to Committee Hearings

H.Res. 1174 provided for House consideration of three Clean Air Act reform bills—H.R. 6387, H.R. 6398, and H.R. 6409—addressing wildfire mitigation, EPA legislative reviews, and standards for non-U.S. emissions. The resolution was agreed to without objection.

Sources: www.congress.gov

House Energy Measures on Environmental Superfund and Project Authorizations

H.R. 8296 would amend the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act to include climate change considerations, referred to the Energy and Commerce and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees. H.R. 8308 proposes new requirements for terminating, coordinating reviews, and judicial oversight of federal authorizations, referred to three House committees.

Sources: www.congress.gov, www.congress.gov

State Government News

California Court Blocks White House Order Restarting Sable Offshore Corp. Pipeline

The Santa Barbara Superior Court reaffirmed its injunction barring Sable Offshore Corp. from operating its pipeline without state approval, rejecting a Defense Production Act order by Energy Secretary Chris Wright. The ruling maintains the requirement for Sable to comply with rigorous state safety standards and court settlements before any restart.

Sources: www.gov.ca.gov

NRG-Affiliated NY ESCOs Settle over Billing Practices

Nine energy service companies affiliated with NRG reached a $50 million settlement with New York’s Public Service Commission, requiring billing adjustments and guaranteed 15% savings offers for 278,000 residential and small business customers, following allegations of regulatory and order violations.

Sources: www.governor.ny.gov

Texas Governor Reappoints Douglass as Regional Mobility Authority Chair

Governor Greg Abbott reappointed William “Bill” Douglass as presiding officer of the Grayson County Regional Mobility Authority for a term through February 2028. Douglass has held several industry and local leadership positions.

Sources: gov.texas.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• As Global Energy Markets Continue to Face Volatility, Domestic SAF Highlights a Structurally Distinct and More Resilient Supply Chain: Domestic sustainable aviation fuel supply chains are compared to traditional oil markets amid ongoing global volatility.
• Oil prices, data centers pave way for renewable energy comeback | Opinion: Analysts discuss the interplay between high oil prices, war, and the policy momentum for renewable energy.
• Oman launches bidding round for five oil and gas blocks: Oman opened a new bidding process for five oil and gas exploration blocks.
• Indian oil refiners lining up oil cargoes to meet local demand, official says: Indian refiners are contracting new oil cargoes to address growing domestic fuel needs.
• Permian-focused EagleRock plans rare US oil and gas IPO, sources say: Sources indicate EagleRock may conduct an oil and gas IPO centered on the Permian Basin.
• Canada oil and gas profits to surge on Iran war, but firms hold off new investment: Increased profits for Canadian producers have not led to new oil and gas investments, per industry sources.
• IEA ready to further tap global oil reserves if needed, chief says: The International Energy Agency signals readiness to release more oil reserves if market disruptions persist.
• Libya starts trial run of gas pipeline as NOC pushes export growth: Libya’s NOC started test operations of a new gas pipeline to support expanded exports.
• Iran aims to restore majority of refining capability within two months, oil ministry official says: An Iranian oil ministry official said most domestic refining capacity should be restored within two months.
• Russia's oil and fuel export revenues rebound in March, IEA says: Russian oil and fuel export revenues recovered in March, according to the IEA.

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