If the US Congress fails to pass a short-term spending bill and the federal government shuts down this week, oil and natural gas permitting in federal lands and waters is expected to stall, government statistics which often move energy markets will not be updated and environmental enforcement could be suspended. The government’s temporary funding is set to expire Friday and expectations of a shutdown increased Thursday. The House was expected to vote on a short-term spending bill Thursday night, but growing opposition to the bill has left its fate unclear. Here’s how the potential shutdown could impact the oil and gas industry: During the 16-day government shutdown in October 2013, the US Energy Information Administration continued to collect data but did not issue new reports. “The website was kept open, but without updates,” said Adam Sieminski, EIA’s administrator at the time. Weekly reports, including the Weekly Petroleum Status Report […]