Head of TransCanada’s Keystone XL project Les Cherwenuk has faulted Republicans for delaying the completion of the Keystone XL pipeline. A Republicans mandate in 2012 requiring President Obama to make a decision on the pipeline was issued before materials needed for approval were complete, he said. “He couldn’t [approve the project] fundamentally , since the work had not been completed and he had no choice but to deny the permit.” [Fuel Fix]

That said, TransCanada expects to complete work on the southern portion of the Keystone pipeline expansion, from Cushing, Oklahoma to the Texas Gulf Coast, by the end of this month. [Bloomberg]

The energy sectors of North African countries likeLibya and Egypt are suffering from a pullback by foreign companies due to safety concerns. “Analysts warn that companies are likely to postpone new investments until the political situation in these countries has become more stable.” [New York Times]