Energy headlines elsewhere

** This winter the U.S. Northeast faces its highest energy costs in more than 25 years due to tight heating oil supplies and fierce global competition for liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes. The winter could bring more pain, with heating costs nationwide set to soar as much as 28% from last year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) winter fuels outlook.

** The Biden administration on Wednesday announced $13 billion in funds to provide winter heating assistance for low-income Americans, including $4.5 billion through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

** TikToker Katie Sigmond faces misdemeanor charges for posting a video showing her hitting a golf ball into the Grand Canyon. The influencer has three pending misdemeanor counts related to littering, creating a hazardous condition and throwing objects over the canyon rim, park spokeswoman Joelle Baird said.

** This year, the United States became the world’s biggest liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter as deliveries to energy-starved buyers in Europe and Asia surged. In the current year, five developers have signed over 20 long-term deals to supply more than 30 million metric tons/year of LNG or roughly 4 Bcf/d, to energy-starved buyers in Europe and Asia.

** The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that state lawmakers are considering implementing a “mileage-based user fee” to replace its 29-cent gas tax. Drivers would still have to pay the 18-cent federal gas tax, though.

 

World

** Russia and India are planning to construct a $30 billion oil pipeline through China’s restive Xinjiang province. If successful, the pipeline will be the most expensive in the world.

** Canada ordered three Chinese companies on Wednesday to divest their investments in Canadian critical minerals, citing national security.

** The UAE tried to dissuade Saudi Arabia from supporting an OPEC oil production cut, according to the Wall Street Journal. National security advisor Sheikh Tahnoun secretly met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in September.

** The Swiss-based operator of Russia-led Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline said on Wednesday it had completed initial data gathering at location of the pipeline damage on line 1 in the Swedish exclusive economic zone and found “technogenic craters”. Sweden and Denmark have both concluded that four leaks on Nord Stream 1 and 2 were caused by explosions, but have not said who might be responsible.

** Europe needs to act now to avoid a natural gas shortage next year given the loss of Russian supply and expectations Chinese demand will increase, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Thursday.