** A Tokyo Gas subsidiary has purchased Houston-based natural gas producer Rockcliff Energy from private equity firm Quantum Energy Partners for $2.7 billion, Tokyo Gas announced Friday.
** The Biden administration plans to launch a formal review of vinyl chloride, the chemical that spilled in the town of East Palestine, Ohio, in February. This review could be the first step toward further restrictions or a potential ban on the substance.
** Chevron Corp. is slashing oil-refinery investments in California because of “adversarial” policies toward fossil fuels, a move that may boost what already are the highest pump prices in the nation.
** The White House announced a 10-year plan to restore salmon populations in the Columbia River basin, including studies into the possibility of removing the Snake River basin’s four dams.
** The Biden administration and multiple California water agencies signed agreements that will direct $295 million of federal dollars into Colorado River water conservation.
** Chevron Corp. is slashing oil-refinery investments in California because of “adversarial” policies toward fossil fuels, a move that may boost what already are the highest pump prices in the nation.
** White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi said the US will still need oil and gas to meet near-term energy demand, even as nearly 200 nations signed on to a pact at COP28 to transition away from fossil fuels.
** The spouse of a top aide to President Biden and first lady Jill Biden is involved with a group that views climate change as a national security threat and pushes for the transition to electric vehicles as part of its efforts, Fox News Digital has found. David Wade, former chief of staff to Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry and the husband of Elizabeth Alexander, a deputy assistant to President Biden and the spokesperson for Jill Biden, is entangled with the Washington, D.C.-based American Security Project (ASP), which views “climate security” as a critical component of its endeavors.
** U.S. wireless carrier AT&T will purchase some electric vehicles from startup Rivian in a pilot program to evaluate ways to reduce cost, cut carbon emissions and improve safety, the companies said.
** Berkshire Hathaway Inc. has bought nearly $590 million of Occidental Petroleum Corp. stock this week, after the Texas oil company agreed to buy private Permian producer CrownRock LP in one of the biggest energy deals of the year.
World
** Global consumption of coal reached an all-time high in 2023, the IEA energy watchdog said Friday, as Earth experienced its hottest recorded year. The International Energy Agency reported that nations would burn even more coal this year than in 2022, the previous record for consumption of the key source of planet-warming gases.
** Great Britain’s Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho is to approve plans for hydrogen factories around UK coasts as part of the drive to achieve net zero. Coutinho is to publish a “Hydrogen Roadmap” within days, setting out how Britain will produce and use the gas in industrial quantities.
** Germany’s parliament on Friday approved plans to raise the country’s levy on carbon dioxide emissions from fuel by more than previously planned next month, a move that is part of a deal to resolve a budget crisis.
** Canada’s upstream oil and gas industry and drilling services sector has a “very favourable” outlook for 2024, according to Enserva’s State of the Industry report.Key highlights of the report show that oil prices are expected to remain strong, demand will be robust, export capacity will increase, and investment and drilling activity are set to grow during the forecast period.
