Oil and Gas

California State Water Board Issues Section 401 Certification for Corps Regional General Permit 5 (Energy Emergency Activities)

In May 2026 the California State Water Board adopted a Section 401 certification order for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regional General Permit 5, setting strict impact limits and conditions for energy and critical minerals projects that discharge dredge or fill material to waters in the Sacramento District. Once the Corps issues RGP 5, eligible pipeline, transmission, transportation and bank-stabilisation works will have an expedited but tightly constrained route to authorisation, so project sponsors should assess whether their activities fit the new thresholds, exclusions and reporting obligations or require individual certification instead.

24 May 2026, 21:38waterboards.ca.govUnited States

US EPA Seeks Comment on Renewal of Oil Pollution Act Facility Response Plan ICR

US EPA has submitted a renewal of its Oil Pollution Act facility response plan information collection (ICR 1630.15; OMB 2050-0135) to OMB and opened an additional 30-day public comment period through 22 June 2026. Large oil-handling facilities that must maintain EPA-approved response plans should expect ongoing reporting and recordkeeping obligations and may wish to comment on the projected burden and programme assumptions before OMB approval.

24 May 2026, 21:32federalregister.govUnited States

New Hampshire Legislature Passes HB1620 on Residential Underground Heating Oil Tanks

New Hampshire lawmakers have passed HB1620, tightening rules for residential underground heating oil tanks and mandating removal or safe closure once they are taken out of use. If signed, homeowners, oil suppliers and real-estate professionals will need to plan for tank removal or closure and new disclosure duties within a short post-enactment window to avoid environmental liability and transaction delays.

24 May 2026, 20:43gc.nh.govUnited States

Netherlands Bill Proposes Green Gas Blending Obligation and Green Gas Units Register

The Netherlands has tabled bill 36 947 (Wet bijmengverplichting groen gas) to amend the Environmental Management Act and Economic Offences Act, creating a legally binding renewable gas blending obligation enforced through tradable “groengaseenheden” for gas suppliers. If adopted, this scheme will hard-wire decarbonisation of gas supply into law, creating new annual compliance, reporting and enforcement exposure for energy suppliers and large gas users once the system enters into force.

23 May 2026, 20:08zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

Netherlands Decision Note on Green Gas Blending Obligation Bill for ETS2 Gas Suppliers

The Netherlands is advancing a Green Gas Blending Obligation Act that would require gas suppliers serving ETS2 sectors to meet CO2-based green gas quotas via a national GGE register and a EUR 450 per tonne CO2 buy-out option, with a targeted entry into force in 2027. This would create a stable demand signal for biomethane, modestly increase gas costs, and further anchor Dutch climate delivery within EU ESR and RED frameworks, with new compliance and planning implications for energy suppliers and energy-intensive gas users.

23 May 2026, 20:03zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

US House Draft FY27 Interior and Environment Bill Would Cut EPA Funding by Nearly 20%

In May 2026, the US House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee chair outlined a draft FY27 spending bill that would cut EPA funding by nearly 20% while maintaining major water-infrastructure grants, tribal health and education funding, and expanded support for domestic energy and critical minerals. If enacted, this package would tighten resources for EPA regulatory programmes even as it prioritises state and tribal water projects, wildland firefighting, and resource extraction, signalling potential medium-term shifts in US environmental enforcement capacity and policy direction.

23 May 2026, 11:16appropriations.house.govUnited States

US OFAC Designates Iran-Linked Shipping, Petrochemical and Financial Network Under EO 13902

US OFAC has designated Iran-linked shipping, petrochemical and financial actors and associated tankers under E.O. 13902, adding them to the SDN List effective 19 May 2026. This materially heightens sanctions and screening risk for organisations moving crude, LPG, petrochemicals or related finance through the listed companies, vessels and trade hubs in Hong Kong, the UAE and elsewhere.

23 May 2026, 11:15public-inspection.federalregister.govUnited States

Argentina Adopts New Regulation on Transport of Liquid Hydrocarbons (RTHL)

Argentina’s Secretariat of Energy has adopted Resolution SE 119/2026, introducing a new Regulation for the Transport of Liquid Hydrocarbons (RTHL) for interprovincial and import/export pipelines from May 2026. Pipeline operators and hydrocarbon producers will need to align design, operation and integrity management of existing and planned assets with updated international standards, potentially triggering reviews of projects, authorisations and investment plans.

23 May 2026, 11:13cda.org.arArgentina

UK OPRED Approves Pelican Offshore Decommissioning Programme

In May 2026 the UK offshore regulator recorded approval of a further offshore oil and gas decommissioning programme, adding a Pelican project entry to its public OPRED decommissioning register. This signals continued progression of UKCS assets into the decommissioning phase under the Petroleum Act regime, reinforcing removal obligations and associated cost and environmental management expectations for operators and their supply chains.

23 May 2026, 08:56gov.ukUnited Kingdom

US FERC Sets Environmental Assessment Schedule for Kenai LNG Cool Down Expansion Project

FERC has published the NEPA Environmental Assessment schedule for Trans-Foreland Pipeline Company LLC’s Kenai LNG Cool Down Expansion Project, with the EA planned for October 2026 and federal authorization decisions targeted for mid-January 2027. This locks in the regulatory review window for the Alaska LNG expansion, giving operators, offtakers, and service providers a clearer horizon to align permitting strategies, commercial planning, and environmental risk management.

23 May 2026, 08:54federalregister.govUnited States

US District Court Grants Exemplary Damages Amendment in Colorado Orphaned Wells Class Action

A Colorado federal court has allowed landowner plaintiffs to amend a certified class-action complaint over orphaned oil and gas wells to seek exemplary (punitive) damages, holding that federal pleading rules override Colorado’s stricter statute on adding such claims. This lowers procedural barriers to punitive damages in similar environmental liability suits, heightening litigation and remediation cost risk for operators and investors tied to marginal wells, asset transfers, and orphan well programmes.

22 May 2026, 18:59govinfo.govUnited States

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Opens NTIG Grants for Stationary Emissions Reduction Projects

In May 2026, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality opened applications for its New Technology Implementation Grant Program, offering $16.5 million to co-fund emission-reduction projects at stationary sources across Texas. Industrial and oil and gas operators can secure up to 50% co-funding for qualifying projects, creating a time-limited opportunity to advance air-emissions controls and clean energy storage ahead of the 25 September 2026 application deadline.

22 May 2026, 18:54tceq.texas.govUnited States

Texas TCEQ Opens NTIG Applications for Stationary Emissions-Reduction Projects — $16.5 Million Available Statewide

Texas environmental regulators have opened 2026 NTIG grant applications, making $16.5 million available statewide to co-fund emissions-reduction technologies at stationary sources, with applications due by 25 September 2026. The programme supports major investments in renewable energy storage, stationary-source controls and oil and gas emissions reductions, helping Texas operators cut regulated air pollutants while offsetting capital costs and managing future compliance risk.

22 May 2026, 18:53tceq.texas.govUnited States

Minnesota EQB Monitor – 19 May 2026: Gas Resource Development Environmental Review Rules and Project Notices

Minnesota has published the 19 May 2026 EQB Monitor highlighting an expedited rulemaking to create mandatory environmental review categories for gas resource development projects, alongside new environmental review notices for major energy and land‑use projects and extensive notifications of 2026 field trials of genetically engineered crops. These developments signal tighter and more structured scrutiny of gas resource development and related infrastructure in Minnesota, while ongoing EAW/AUAR processes and GMO field releases create near‑term engagement and monitoring points for energy, infrastructure and agri‑biotech operators planning projects or managing regional environmental and reputational risk.

22 May 2026, 18:52mn.govUnited States

EU Commission Publishes Repository of National Emergency Energy Measures for Consumers and Industry

DG Energy has launched an EU-wide repository summarising national emergency energy measures adopted since February 2026 to shield households and industry from price shocks linked to the Middle East conflict. The overview gives energy-intensive manufacturers and other large users a single view of tax breaks, subsidies and demand-side interventions across Member States, supporting strategic planning for energy costs, resilience and investment.

22 May 2026, 18:51webgate.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

Hong Kong Customs Reports Surge in Illicit Fuelling and Calls for Stronger Law

Hong Kong Customs has reported a sharp rise in illicit fuelling activity and recent seizures of 15 vehicles, with the Commissioner publicly calling for stronger legal tools to crack down on this trade and highlighting the recent public-use ban on alternative smoking products. These enforcement signals suggest both intensified action under existing fuel and tobacco controls and a potential tightening of Hong Kong’s regulatory framework, raising compliance and smuggling-risk considerations for fuel and nicotine-product supply chains.

22 May 2026, 16:43news.rthk.hkHong Kong SAR China

California Bill SB 1259 Advances to Senate Third Reading, Requiring Refinery Decommissioning Cost Reports

California’s SB 1259 has advanced to third reading in the Senate and would require refinery operators to submit detailed decommissioning and site remediation cost reports, while imposing new planning and transparency duties on the State Water Resources Control Board. If enacted, this framework will force California refineries to quantify and fund long-term closure liabilities by 2028, shaping investment decisions, site redevelopment planning, and environmental risk management for oil and gas assets in the state.

22 May 2026, 12:12leginfo.legislature.ca.govUnited States

Louisiana House Committee Reports Amended HR276 on Advanced Drilling Task Force

On 19 May 2026, a Louisiana House committee advanced HR276, which would create a Task Force on Advanced Drilling to examine how carbon storage affects mineral rights and oil and gas operations. If adopted, the task force will frame future state policy on carbon storage and advanced drilling, shaping potential regulatory changes that could materially affect project design, liability and cost structures for operators and mineral owners in Louisiana.

22 May 2026, 10:23legis.la.govUnited States

Louisiana SB505 – Amendments to Motor Fuels Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund Grants and Loans

Louisiana is moving ahead with SB505, a bill that would reshape grants and loans from the Motor Fuels Underground Storage Tank Trust Dedicated Fund Account, with new rules proposed to take effect from 1 July 2026. These changes would tighten eligibility, raise per-project caps and formalise application limits, altering how underground fuel storage tank owners in Louisiana plan upgrades, remediation work and financing over the next few years.

21 May 2026, 15:51legis.la.govUnited States

UK Updates Russia Sanctions Guidance To Reflect 2026 Regulation Amendments

The UK has updated its Russia sanctions statutory guidance to incorporate broad new trade, energy, nuclear and services restrictions introduced by the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2026, effective from 20 May 2026. These changes tighten controls on Russian-related uranium, LNG, processed oil products, specified ships and construction services, significantly raising compliance and enforcement risks for companies exposed to Russian-connected supply chains, shipping and advanced technology sectors and requiring rapid review of contracts, counterparties and licensing needs.

21 May 2026, 06:51gov.ukUnited Kingdom