The US Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration proposed ExxonMobil Pipeline Co. pay a $1.7 million fine because of a July 2011 failure of its Silvertip crude oil pipeline across the Yellowstone River near Laurel, Mont.

The US Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration issued a corrective action order on Mar. 22 outlining steps Chevron Pipe Line Co. must take in response to a leak 4 days earlier in its products pipeline near Willard, Utah.

Global LNG imports net of reloads last year reached 236.3 million tonnes, a 1.9% (4.5 million tonnes) decrease compared with 2011 trade movements, according to a report issued Mar. 25 from Paris-based Groupe International des Importateurs de Gaz Natural Liquefie (GIIGNL).

Griffiths Energy International Inc., Calgary, has reported progress delineating Badila and Mangara oil fields in southwestern Chad and constructing facilities for oil export expected to begin later this year.

Heating demand in major LNG importing regions fell in February. In addition, cargo availability tightened after a few unplanned shutdowns, leading to a 4% decline in Drewry Maritime Research’s LNG Freight Index.

The US should adopt an LNG export strategy that provides certainty for producers but doesn’t significantly increase prices for industries and other consumers, an expert told the US House Oversight and Investigations Committee.

Gazprom of Russia and MND Group of the Czech Republic have agreed to build an underground natural gas storage facility in Damborice, South Moravia.

Gassco of Norway has let an engineering, procurement, and construction contract to Linde Engineering Dresden GMBH for a replacement natural gas terminal in Emden, Germany.