Pipeline Safety

Montana DEQ and BLM Seek Comment on Bridger Pipeline Expansion Under Major Facility Siting Act

Montana DEQ and the BLM have opened a public comment period through May 1, 2026, for the proposed 647-mile Bridger Pipeline crude oil expansion project. This represents a critical permitting and environmental review phase where stakeholder input can influence route selection, mitigation requirements, and final project approval.

5 Apr 2026, 18:42deq.mt.govUnited States

US BLM Initiates EIS Scoping for Bridger Pipeline Expansion Project (Montana–Wyoming)

The US BLM has initiated the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process for the 647-mile Bridger Pipeline Expansion, with public scoping comments due by May 1, 2026. This marks the start of a multi-year federal and state permitting cycle that will scrutinize environmental, tribal, and land-use impacts for this major crude oil infrastructure project.

4 Apr 2026, 10:55federalregister.govUnited States

Louisiana HB 1156 Proposes Safety Rules for Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Wells and Pipelines

Louisiana introduced HB 1156 in March 2026, proposing a comprehensive safety and environmental framework for Class VI carbon dioxide sequestration wells and transport pipelines. Operators must prepare for stringent siting setbacks, 50-year post-injection monitoring, and enhanced emergency response coordination, significantly increasing the compliance and financial assurance burden for CCS projects in the state.

3 Apr 2026, 18:50legis.la.govUnited States

Louisiana Legislature Proposes Emergency Contact Signage Rules For Hazardous Liquid Pipelines (HB1144)

Louisiana has introduced legislation (HB1144) requiring hazardous liquid pipeline operators to maintain 24/7 emergency contact signage and submit annual compliance certifications. If enacted, operators must implement rigorous monitoring of emergency response lines and formalize annual reporting to avoid penalties and the loss of regulatory waivers.

3 Apr 2026, 18:49legis.la.govUnited States

Louisiana HB1136 Proposes Ban On CO₂ Sequestration Pipelines In Petroleum Rights-Of-Way

Louisiana HB1136 proposes a ban on co-locating carbon dioxide sequestration pipelines within existing petroleum pipeline rights-of-way. This measure would increase land-acquisition costs and regulatory complexity for carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects by requiring dedicated infrastructure corridors.

3 Apr 2026, 18:48legis.la.govUnited States

US PHMSA Denies Petition for Reconsideration on Pipeline Class Location Change Requirements

PHMSA has denied a petition to reconsider the January 2026 final rule on pipeline class location changes, maintaining the existing regulatory framework. Operators must proceed with compliance planning based on the original 2026 amendments, as the agency has signaled no intent to reopen or relax these safety standards.

2 Apr 2026, 17:07federalregister.govUnited States

US Senate Introduces Bill Requiring Annual DOI Report on Offshore Oil and Gas Decommissioning

US Senate Bill 4239, introduced in March 2026, proposes mandatory annual federal reporting on the decommissioning status of offshore oil and gas wells, platforms, and pipelines. This move signals heightened legislative scrutiny of end-of-life infrastructure, potentially increasing pressure on operators to expedite remediation and manage long-term environmental liabilities.

29 Mar 2026, 17:56congress.govUnited States

Norway and Belgium Sign Bilateral Agreement on Cross-Border CO₂ Pipeline Transport

Norway and Belgium have formalized a bilateral agreement to enable cross-border CO2 pipeline transport and offshore storage. This agreement provides the necessary legal framework to de-risk large-scale CCS investments and accelerate decarbonization for hard-to-abate industrial sectors.

28 Mar 2026, 16:12regjeringen.noNorwayBelgium

US House Introduces Preventing Future Vintage Plastic Pipeline Tragedies Act (H.R. 8050)

Proposed US legislation (H.R. 8050) would mandate gas distribution operators to identify and report all Aldyl-A polyethylene piping within three years. This marks an escalation in federal scrutiny of legacy plastic infrastructure, necessitating accelerated risk assessments and long-term capital planning for material replacement.

27 Mar 2026, 08:37govinfo.govUnited States

Netherlands ANVS Publishes Draft Kernenergiewet Permit Amendment For Mistras Group B.V.

The Dutch nuclear regulator (ANVS) has issued a draft permit amendment to expand authorized radioactive source quantities and occupational dose limits for industrial testing operations. Companies utilizing ionizing radiation for non-destructive testing should monitor these shifts in licensing conditions as indicators of evolving safety standards for mobile industrial radiography.

27 Mar 2026, 08:10zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

North Dakota DEQ Reports Produced Water Spill in Billings County

The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality is monitoring remediation following an 8,400-gallon produced water spill from a pipeline leak reported in March 2026. This incident underscores the critical importance of pipeline integrity management and immediate reporting compliance to mitigate environmental liability and regulatory scrutiny.

26 Mar 2026, 19:07links-2.govdelivery.comUnited States

Estonia Initiates State Special Planning and SEA for Nordic‑Baltic Hydrogen Corridor

Estonia has formally initiated a state special plan and strategic environmental assessment for the Nordic-Baltic hydrogen corridor as of March 2026. This move triggers a multi-year planning process that will define future land-use constraints, permitting requirements, and regional infrastructure for hydrogen transmission.

26 Mar 2026, 11:59riigiteataja.eeEstonia

UK OPRED Updates Schedule 3 Projects Register Under 2020 EIA Regulations

The UK OPRED updated the Schedule 3 Projects Register on March 23, 2026, confirming Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) exemptions for specific offshore subsea and pipeline works. Offshore operators should monitor these registers to confirm project-specific consent statuses and ensure subsea maintenance activities align with the 2020 EIA Regulations.

26 Mar 2026, 11:44assets.publishing.service.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Canada Proposes Tighter Workplace Noise Limits and Hearing Loss Prevention Under Canada Labour Code

Canada proposes lowering the federal occupational noise exposure limit to 85 dBA and mandating comprehensive hearing loss prevention programs. Federally regulated businesses must prepare for enhanced audiometric testing, stricter signage requirements, and potential administrative penalties for non-compliance.

25 Mar 2026, 21:32gazette.gc.caCanada

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Fines Northshore Mining $19,000 for Wastewater Permit Violations

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has fined Northshore Mining $19,000 and mandated significant infrastructure upgrades following repeated wastewater permit violations. This enforcement underscores the increasing regulatory focus on pipeline integrity and spill prevention, signaling higher operational risk and capital expenditure requirements for industrial water management.

22 Mar 2026, 14:21pca.state.mn.usUnited States

Minnesota: HF 4377 Would Specify Demand-Forecast Requirements for Petroleum Pipeline Certificate of Need Applications

Minnesota has introduced legislation (HF 4377) to mandate rigorous 15-year demand forecasting for all new petroleum pipeline permit applications. This proposal increases the evidentiary burden for infrastructure projects by requiring explicit alignment with state decarbonization goals and electric vehicle adoption trends.

22 Mar 2026, 13:08revisor.mn.govUnited States

England Environment Agency Accepts £6.1m Enforcement Undertaking From Perenco After Poole Harbour Oil Spill

The Environment Agency has accepted a £6.1 million enforcement undertaking from Perenco UK following a major 2023 oil spill caused by pipeline corrosion. This case underscores the escalating financial liabilities associated with aging infrastructure and confirms the regulator's preference for civil sanctions that prioritize direct environmental remediation and community compensation.

14 Mar 2026, 08:31gov.ukUnited Kingdom

UK DESNZ Launches Industry Engagement To Develop Hydrogen Network Code

The UK government is initiating industry engagement in April 2026 to develop the Hydrogen Network Code, establishing the legal framework for pipeline networks. Stakeholders across the hydrogen value chain should engage now to influence the commercial and operational rules that will govern future market access and infrastructure usage.

13 Mar 2026, 13:24gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Great Britain Extends Offshore Safety Regulations to CCUS and Offshore Hydrogen Installations

The UK has extended established offshore oil and gas safety regimes to cover carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) and offshore hydrogen production, effective April 6, 2026. Operators must now align safety cases, incident reporting, and pipeline management for these emerging technologies with existing offshore standards to maintain compliance.

13 Mar 2026, 13:15legislation.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

US PHMSA Announces 2026 Hazardous Materials Safety Research, Development, and Technology Forum

PHMSA is convening a strategic research forum in early 2026 to define future safety and technology priorities for hazardous materials transportation. This engagement window allows businesses to influence upcoming safety standards for energy storage and packaging before they are codified into formal regulations.

12 Mar 2026, 21:44federalregister.govUnited States