May 24, 2026 to May 30, 2026

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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📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• Rules of the Road: Examining Legislation to Modernize the Clean Air Act's Mobile Source Requirements: The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment will hold a hearing titled 'Rules of the Road: Examining Legislation to Modernize the Clean Air Act’s Mobile Source Requirements' in Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2123, on June 3, 2026.
• Advancing Environmental Protection Through Science and Technology: The House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Environment will convene a hearing on 'Advancing Environmental Protection Through Science and Technology' in Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2318, on June 4, 2026.

Federal Government News

FERC Amends Interstate Natural Gas Pipeline Business Practices Standards

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a final rule amending regulations at 18 CFR 284.12 to incorporate revisions to three sets of the NAESB Wholesale Gas Quadrant Version 4.0 business practice standards governing interstate natural gas pipelines. These updates introduce mandatory enforceable requirements, including new standards to improve communication and accessibility of gas-electric coordination data during extreme cold weather or emergencies. Notable modifications require transportation service providers to post scheduled quantity information for power plants directly connected to pipelines and to include geographic information in critical notices. Interstate pipelines must file compliance documents by September 1, 2026, with standards becoming effective January 1, 2027. The rule responds to recommendations from recent reliability reports following Winter Storm Elliott and builds on stakeholder consultation since 2022.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Northern Natural Gas Company – Scoping Period for Central Mainline Corridor Expansion Environmental Review

FERC announced the opening of the public scoping period for the Northern Natural Gas Company's proposed Central Mainline Corridor Expansion Project across Iowa and Nebraska. The expansion involves constructing new pipeline segments, compressor stations, and meter stations to deliver over 535,000 Dth/day in winter and 525,000 Dth/day in summer. Stakeholders are invited to submit comments on environmental impacts and alternatives by June 22, 2026, under NEPA protocols. The Commission will weigh input in determining whether to prepare an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement as part of the project’s certificate review.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

EPA Approves Repeal of Petroleum Refinery and Large Appliance Coating Regulations in Virginia SIP

EPA finalized approval of Virginia's SIP Revision B23, which removes emission standards for petroleum refinery operations and large appliance coating application systems from the state implementation plan. The repeal reflects the absence of remaining regulated sources in Virginia, following comprehensive data review and public comment. These state regulations previously applied only to facilities built before March 17, 1972, and reconstructed before December 10, 1976. Virginia's demonstration of noninterference was accepted, and future facilities must comply with new source review and relevant federal/state requirements.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Executive Order Rescinds Off-Road Vehicle Restrictions on Federal Lands

President Trump issued an executive order rescinding Executive Orders 11644 (1972) and 11989 (1977), which had governed off-road vehicle use on federal lands. The administration described these directives as outdated, citing advances in regulatory statutes such as NEPA and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act as sufficient for land management. Agencies are tasked to revise or remove regulations tied to the rescinded orders. The directive aims to facilitate greater access to federal lands for energy projects, timber, utilities, and recreation, subject to existing statutory controls.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

FERC Environmental Assessment for Egan Cavern Expansion Project Now Available

FERC released the Environmental Assessment for Egan Hub Storage, LLC’s proposed expansion in Louisiana, including development of two new salt dome storage caverns, new compressor and dehydration facilities, and several new pipelines and wells. The EA concludes that project approval would not constitute a major federal action significantly affecting the human environment. Public comments on the EA are due by June 22, 2026. FERC will consider feedback in determining whether the project will be granted a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Bill 9035 – Bankruptcy Environmental Reclamation for Oil, Gas, and Coal Companies

Bill 9035 proposes amendments to Title 11 of the United States Code to ensure companies in the oil, gas, and coal sectors fulfill environmental reclamation obligations during bankruptcy. The bill was referred to the House Judiciary Committee and additionally to the House Committee on Natural Resources for review.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill 9034 – Offshore Fitness to Operate and Decommissioning Escrow Requirements

Bill 9034 would amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to set standards for operator fitness and establish decommissioning escrow accounts for offshore oil and gas operations. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources for consideration.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Bangladesh offers sweetened terms in offshore tender to tackle energy crunch: Bangladesh revises offshore bidding terms to attract investment amid domestic energy shortages.
• EU plans three-year waiver on penalties for oil and gas firms that breach methane law: EU considers a temporary waiver for oil and gas firms breaching methane regulations.
• Nordic investors urge EU to hold firm on Arctic drilling ban amid energy crisis: Nordic investment groups call for EU to maintain Arctic oil drilling bans during the energy crisis.
• Tiny Guyana poised for big Iran oil gains and growth strains: Guyana faces economic pressures as oil sector expands alongside increased Iranian oil gains.
• Record-low U.S. shale well backlog curbs fast output gains amid export surge: Declining U.S. shale well backlog limits rapid production growth despite rising exports.
• Indonesia issues decree allowing state agency to import oil to ensure energy security: Indonesia authorizes its state agency to import oil for energy security reasons.
• Canada Moves Toward Energy Superpower Goal With German LNG Deal: Canada advances LNG export ambitions through partnership with Germany.
• Brazil's Petrobras to sign contract for oil platforms with SBM Offshore, says executive: Petrobras moves to contract new oil platforms with SBM Offshore for future expansion.
• The High-Seas Black Market That Keeps Iran’s Illicit Oil Flowing: Iran relies on maritime black market networks to sustain illicit oil shipments.

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