Munich Re Announces Stricter Policies for Investing In and Underwriting Oil and Gas Sector

Pipeline in industrial district

The world’s largest reinsurer, Munich Re, announced stricter policies for investing in and underwriting oil and gas projects on Thursday, drawing praise from environmentalists. According to the German reinsurer’s website, as of April 2023, it will not invest in or insure projects involving new oil and gas fields or new midstream oil infrastructure. Insurers have… Continue reading Munich Re Announces Stricter Policies for Investing In and Underwriting Oil and Gas Sector

Senate Nixes Trump Rule Limiting Methane Regulation

The Senate voted Wednesday to undo a Trump administration rule that rescinded methane emissions limits and made it harder to regulate releases of the greenhouse gas from the oil and gas sector. In the 52-42 vote, three Republicans voted with Democrats to get rid of the rule: Sens. Rob Portman (Ohio), Lindsey Graham (S.C.) and… Continue reading Senate Nixes Trump Rule Limiting Methane Regulation

20 States Sue EPA Over Methane Emissions Standards Rollback

A coalition of 20 states and four municipalities sued the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Monday over its rollback of methane emissions standards for oil and gas production. Last month, the EPA formally rescinded Obama-era standards that regulate methane emissions from oil and gas production, processing, transmission and storage. It also rolled back requirements for… Continue reading 20 States Sue EPA Over Methane Emissions Standards Rollback

Millions of Abandoned Oil Wells Are Leaking Methane, A Climate Menace

Oil pump working in the outdoor scene

In May 2012, Hanson and Michael Rowe noticed an overpowering smell, like rotten eggs, seeping from an abandoned gas well on their land in Kentucky. The fumes made the retired couple feel nauseous, dizzy, and short of breath. Regulators responding to the leak couldn’t find an owner to fix it. J.D. Carty Resources LLC had… Continue reading Millions of Abandoned Oil Wells Are Leaking Methane, A Climate Menace

Climate Change Risk Will Have Transformative Effect on Energy Sector

Energy

Climate change and Environmental Social Governance (ESG) will transform the energy industry risk landscape, according to Willis Towers Watson, a leading global advisory, broking, and solutions company, at the launch of its annual Energy Market Review. Additionally, the recent oil price war and the reduction in demand for hydrocarbons as a result of the current… Continue reading Climate Change Risk Will Have Transformative Effect on Energy Sector

Ransomware Attack Exposes Poor Energy-Sector Cybersecurity

Three pipelines

The energy sector remains vulnerable to cyberattacks despite years of threats, as illustrated by an alert issued last week by the Department of Homeland Security. The alert from the department’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency described a ransomware attack on an unnamed natural-gas pipeline operator that halted operations for two days while staff shut down,… Continue reading Ransomware Attack Exposes Poor Energy-Sector Cybersecurity