September 06, 2026 to September 12, 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
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• House Rules Committee: EPA Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards and Related Bills: The House Rules Committee will meet September 14 to consider joint resolutions on EPA rules for California's nonroad engine emission standards, and other pending legislation.
• House Natural Resources Committee: Markup on Endangered Species, Mineral Leasing, and Water Bills: Scheduled September 15, the House Natural Resources Committee will hold a markup on bills regarding Endangered Species Act amendments, mineral spacing, Indian water settlements, and related measures.

Federal Government News

BLM Proposes Streamlined Permitting Rule for Oil and Gas Production Sites in NPR-A

The Bureau of Land Management published a proposed rule to create a streamlined permitting process for qualifying oil and gas production sites and associated rights-of-way within the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A). The rule introduces defined eligibility criteria for production sites located within 25 miles of existing infrastructure, consolidates approvals, and establishes a 60-day review window post-application. The proposal also describes integration with the 2025 Integrated Activity Plan and existing environmental requirements, and cites a forthcoming programmatic environmental impact statement. This framework follows a petition from the Alaska Oil and Gas Association and seeks to reduce regulatory delays for projects with well-characterized environmental effects while maintaining resource protections. Comments on the proposed rule are due by November 9, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House Amends Defense Production Act Delegations for Energy

President Trump issued an executive order amending earlier delegations under the Defense Production Act to allow both the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Energy independent authority in matters relating to energy production, construction, and distribution. The order outlines procedures for dispute resolution between the relevant secretaries and references coordination with federal councils, including the National Energy Dominance Council and the National Security Council, for energy and national defense infrastructure conflicts. The order specifies it does not impair existing authorities nor create enforceable rights, and assigns related publication costs to the Department of the Interior.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

PHMSA Issues Final Preemption Determination on Gasoline Transport Claims

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration issued an administrative determination concluding that federal law preempts state common law tort claims concerning various aspects of gasoline transport, including marking, loading and unloading, classification, and employee training. The decision arose from litigation in New Jersey and affirms that the Hazardous Material Transportation Act and associated federal regulations establish an exclusive national framework for these safety topics. The ruling draws on statutory language, case law, and previous administrative precedents, and clarifies the primacy of uniform federal requirements over additional or conflicting state-level mandates.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FERC Releases Environmental Assessments for Gas Infrastructure Projects in Texas, Arkansas, and New Mexico

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission published environmental assessments for Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America's Texas-Arkansas Power Project and Transwestern Pipeline Company's Green Chile Project. The Texas-Arkansas project proposes compressor upgrades in Arkansas to enable 400,000 dekatherms per day of capacity for electric generation needs in Texas and Arkansas, with FERC staff finding no major environmental impact. The Green Chile Project would construct 17.77 miles of 24-inch pipeline and associated facilities in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, with both FERC and the Bureau of Land Management participating in the assessment. Both EAs are open for comment by October 5, 2026, and are required for further federal approval consideration.

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

FERC Schedules Environmental Review for Freeport LNG Regasification Terminal Disconnect Project

Freeport LNG Development, L.P. received an updated FERC schedule for the environmental assessment of its proposal to decommission its regasification facilities at Quintana Island, Texas. The project involves the abandonment, removal, and modification of obsolete infrastructure no longer required for the terminal’s liquefaction operations. The EA is set for issuance on September 18, 2026, triggering a 90-day deadline for relevant agency decisions. The public scoping period concluded earlier with no comments filed.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• EXCLUSIVE: White House weighs how to use Defense Production Act to expand US oil refining capacity, sources say: The Biden administration is considering Defense Production Act authorities to boost U.S. refining output, according to sources.
• Lawsuit adds to allegations that Cameron Parish LNG terminals are hurting seafood industry: A new suit claims sediment spills from LNG construction damaged oyster beds and seafood businesses in Louisiana.
• US natural gas output, demand to hit record highs in 2026 and 2027, EIA says: Federal forecasts project record U.S. natural gas production and demand through 2027.
• To Drill or Not to Drill? Britain Nears Decision on Aging North Sea Oil Fields.: UK officials approach a decision on extending licenses for late-life North Sea oil fields.
• Dangote's proposed Kenyan oil refinery faces hurdles, not least with crude supply: Questions over crude sourcing challenge Dangote Group’s plans for a new Kenyan oil refinery.
• One third of Gulf oil is still missing despite 'dark crossings', data shows: Shipping data reveal a significant portion of Gulf-origin oil remains unaccounted for in global markets.
• Russia and Vietnam sign framework deal on strategic oil storage: Russia and Vietnam have formalized a deal for joint strategic oil storage efforts.
• Australia softens gas reserve rule for LNG exporters: Australia adjusted gas reservation requirements to give exporters more flexibility.
• In Australia's shale patch, Americans bring money, tech and lessons learned: U.S. companies are investing capital and technology in Australia’s emerging shale regions.
• Germany, UAE deepen energy cooperation with renewable, gas agreements: Germany and the UAE have agreed to expand collaboration across LNG and renewables.

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