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: 2026-02-08 to 2026-02-14

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Federal Government News

Hazardous Materials: Harmonization With International Standards Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to align the Hazardous Materials Regulations with recent international standards, including the latest ICAO, IMDG, and UN Model Regulations. The proposal introduces new entries for sodium ion batteries, expands exceptions for nitrocellulose membrane filters, revises transport rules for tetramethylammonium hydroxide, allows increased limited quantity gas packaging, and updates various standards for packagings and test procedures. The rule is expected to reduce regulatory burden and compliance costs, with anticipated annual net savings. Comments are due by April 13, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Notice of 2026 National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska Oil and Gas Lease Sale

The Bureau of Land Management announced that the Alaska State Office will conduct an oil and gas lease sale in the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska (NPR-A) on March 18, 2026. Over 600 tracts totaling about 5.5 million acres will be available, implementing the 2025 NPR-A Integrated Activity Plan and corresponding Record of Decision. The sale aligns with directives in recent public law and executive and secretarial orders focused on accelerating resource development. Bids must be submitted by March 16, and a detailed statement of sale is available as of February 11, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

President Trump Revokes the Endangerment Finding

President Trump announced the revocation of the 2009 'Endangerment Finding,' described as the largest deregulatory action in U.S. history. The decision removes previous regulatory requirements stemming from the finding, which industry representatives argued imposed over $1.3 trillion in costs and led to mandates such as electric vehicle requirements. Supporters of the repeal cite lower regulatory costs and increased energy development flexibility, with backing from energy groups, automakers, and legislators.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

PHMSA Advisory Bulletin: Pipeline Integrity During Extreme Winter Weather

PHMSA published an advisory bulletin directing owners and operators of gas and hazardous liquid pipelines to take steps addressing safety risks during extreme winter conditions and rapid thaw. The bulletin calls for increased patrols, facility winterization, updated geohazard plans, and coordination with emergency responders to mitigate risks from snow and ice loads, flooding, frost heave, and ice expansion. While the bulletin provides guidance under current federal regulations, it does not impose new legal requirements.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Columbia Gulf Transmission Virtual Scoping Session Scheduled for Maysville Project

FERC scheduled a virtual public scoping session for the proposed Maysville Project after in-person sessions were cancelled due to storm conditions. The session will be held on February 19, 2026, to collect environmental comments on the project. The deadline for scoping comments is now extended to February 23, 2026. Stakeholders can participate by phone, with comments recorded by a court reporter and entered into the public record.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025 (H.R. 755)

The Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025 was ordered to be reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent. The bill addresses policies around critical mineral development, supply, and energy security.

Sources: www.congress.gov

EARA (H.R. 677)

The EARA bill was reviewed in the House Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining, with hearings held. The measure focuses on federal government operations.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Reversionary Interest Conveyance Act (H.R. 952)

The Reversionary Interest Conveyance Act had hearings in the House Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. The bill concerns the conveyance of public lands and related interests.

Sources: www.congress.gov

LASSO Act (H.R. 34)

The LASSO Act underwent subcommittee hearings and addresses federal public lands and natural resources issues.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Apache County and Navajo County Conveyance Act of 2025 (H.R. 1829)

The Apache County and Navajo County Conveyance Act of 2025 progressed to hearings in the House Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining, relating to conveyance of certain lands in Arizona.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Williams forecasts higher 2026 profit as pipeline projects drive growth: Williams expects increased profits in 2026, attributing growth to expansion in pipeline infrastructure projects.
• Shell needs big discovery or deals as oil, gas reserves dwindle: Shell faces pressure to find new oil or gas discoveries or pursue major deals as reserves continue to decline.
• U.S. Energy Secretary Talks Oil Revival—and Democracy—in Venezuela Visit: The U.S. Energy Secretary visited Venezuela for talks on reviving oil output and government relations.
• Japanese oil and gas group Inpex sees LNG supply shortfall in Asia in 2035: Inpex projects that the Asian LNG market will experience a significant supply shortfall by 2035.
• Russia's Yamal LNG resumes transhipments near Murmansk, data shows: Russian Yamal LNG operations have restarted transhipments at Murmansk, based on recent shipment data.
• US pushes for Venezuela investment, energy secretary warns about legitimacy of Chinese deals: U.S. encourages investment in Venezuela’s oil sector and warns about risks in Chinese-backed arrangements.
• Russia attack knocked out pipeline carrying its own oil to Europe, Ukraine says: Ukrainian officials claim a Russian pipeline transporting oil to Europe was disabled following an attack.
• The Russia‑Ukraine energy shock: Why geopolitics demands a clean energy shift: Russia–Ukraine conflict puts new focus on diversification and security in global energy transitions.
• Opinion | Another government sop to an ailing industry: Commentary questions the effectiveness of recent U.S. government interventions to support the coal industry.
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