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A dispute has arisen between the EU Commission and Parliament over the promotion of energy infrastructure projects.

The new Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson called on MEPs to approve a list of projects. For Greens and Social Democrats, however, there are too many pipeline projects on the list. "If you don't adopt the list, the old one will remain in force," Simson threatened in the EU Parliament's Energy Committee. These are projects of special common interest (PCI). These include gas and electricity lines (energate reported).

Even after the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline through the Baltic Sea has gone into operation, Russia intends to continue transporting natural gas through Ukraine. The pipeline should be completed by the end of the year.

"This does not mean at all that Russia wants to stop the transit through Ukraine," Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a conversation with German top managers on Friday in Sochi on the Black Sea. The German economy is also pressing for Kiev not to be cut off from Russian gas.

The climate target to reduce CO2 emissions in Belgium by 80% by 2050 compared to 2005 levels is a major challenge. Hydrogen has an important role to play in the mix of solutions to achieve results. That is why Deme, Engie, Exmar, Fluxys, Port of Antwerp, Port of Zeebrugge and WaterstofNet are joining forces. A joint study serves as a basis to coordinate delivery of concrete projects that shape the production, transport and storage of hydrogen.

Nordstream 2 appears to have overcome all obstacles to completion now that Denmark, the last European holdout, has agreed to cooperate. The Danish Energy Agency issued a permit for the construction of the portion of Nord Stream 2 that passes through the Danish exclusive economic zone and work is expected to be completed during 2020.

Doubts surrounding the awarding of the multibillion dollar Mariner East natural gas liquids pipeline system in Pennsylvania have given rise to an FBI corruption investigation into Dallas-based Energy Transfer. The focus of the agents’ questions involves the permitting of the pipeline, whether Governor Thomas Wolf's administration forced the environmental protection staff to approve construction permits and whether Wolf or his administration received anything in return, according to the Associated Press.

The small west African country of Equatorial Guinea, boasting the continent's best infrastructure (all attributable to its relatively vast hydrocarbon wealth - proven natural gas reserves estimated of 4.5 trillion cubic feet), has awarded Italy's Saipem a contract worth $90 - $100 million to build a 70km subsea pipeline connecting the Alen Platform with the Punta Europa petrochemical hub.

An oil pipeline has exploded Wednesday in Egypt, killing and injuring multiple people. According to the authorities, at least six people were killed and 16 others injured. The victims are said to be oil thieves.

The accident occurred in the northern province of al-Buhaira, according to the Egyptian Ministry of Health. The cause was an attempted oil theft. A fire broke out, causing a detonation.

The passing of John Tiratsoo fills me with sadness as I have come to know John as a visionary and motivated person in the international pipeline family who has pushed his work forward with dedication and endurance.

He sometimes made his way to Berlin and Hannover, where we had great times together in Germany’s finest beer gardens. I enjoyed his company as much as I admired his ideas in regards of the pipeline sector. Our industry has truly lost one of its best-known and much appreciated individuals.

Oil from the giant Johan Sverdrup field in the North Sea has arrived at the Mongstad plant north of Bergen.

“This is a great day for Equinor and the Johan Sverdrup partnership, consisting of Lundin Norway, Petoro, Aker BP and Total. First oil to Mongstad only a few days after production start confirms that the field is producing well," says Irene Rummelhoff, executive vice president for Marketing, Midstream & Processing (MMP) in Equinor.

With over 2000 km of subsea pipeline laid for Nordstream 2 Gazprom and its European partners are ratcheting up the pressure on Denmark to grant access for the pipeline through its exclusive economic zone. This route would save the project significant time and money. Still it is by no means certain the Danes will go along.

"If they don't approve it... we will go around Denmark's economic zone," Gazprom chairman Viktor Zubkov said at a Moscow energy forum, quoted by TASS news agency.

Minnesota regulators at the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will take up the approval process for Enbridge Energy's controversial plan to replace its decrepit Line 3 crude oil pipeline across northern Minnesota.

The process had been stalled until legal challenges by environmental and tribal groups could be heard. These groups contend that any upgrade to the pipeline would aggravate climate change and pose an unacceptable risk of spills into sensitive lakes, streams and wetlands.