The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) September 2018 Oil Market Report comments that if Venezuelan and Iranian exports continue to fall, markets could tighten and oil prices could rise without offsetting production increases from elsewhere. The agency observes that since the previous edition of its report, the price of Brent crude fell close to $70/bbl then rebounded to flirt with $80/bbl. “Two reasons for the swing are that Venezuela’s production decline continues, and we are approaching Nov. 4, 2018 when U.S. sanctions against Iran’s oil exports are implemented. In Venezuela, production fell in August to 1.24 MMbbld and, if the recent rate of decline continues, it could be only 1 MMbbld at the end of the year.” IEA added that evidence provided by tanker tracking data…

By Richard Fredenburg… We wear two hats when it comes to propane inspections. Most of the time you’ll see me writing about propane safety, but we also have a responsibility for propane weights and measures. While many states, probably most, have these responsibilities in different agencies, we like the way we do it in North Carolina. Sometimes weights and measures rules bump up against safety rules. Notice I said “bump.” I did not say conflict. One place where this happens is filling cylinders. We allow dealers to charge a flat fee for filling a cylinder and we expect it to have the full legal amount when the customer leaves with it. We also expect it to not be overfilled. That places a burden on the…

(October 15, 2018) — Most U.S. households can expect higher heating expenditures this winter compared with last winter, according to the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Winter Fuels Outlook. Higher expected winter heating expenditures are mainly the result of higher prices for heating fuels since temperatures are forecast to be similar to last winter in much of the country. EIA’s short-term projections for heating demand are based on the most recent temperature forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). NOAA’s forecast anticipates that the 2018-2019 winter will be 1% colder than last winter, which is close to the average of the previous 10. Noted is that expenditures for Midwest households using propane as their primary heating source are expected to decline. The region, which…

Freight management solutions provider LTX Transportation Services writes that throughout the past decade the trucking industry has struggled with a shortage of truck drivers, and that the problem is becoming increasingly acute. Noted is that more than 68% of all freight is moved on U.S. highways, and with the driver deficit increasing pay, significant impacts on supplier costs and consumer pricing may result. Additional fallout includes shipping delays and minimized stock on hand at stores. Fuel transportation can be similarly impacted. Providing an overview of this nationwide, multi-industry dilemma, LTX explains that one of the largest issues influencing the driver shortage is the demographic of the current workforce, primarily age and gender. The trucking industry relies on male employees 45 years of age or older….

CLEVELAND (October 11, 2018) — Superior Energy Systems has been nominated for the 2018 S&P Global Platts Global Energy Awards in the category of Midstream Award of Excellence. S&P Global Platts is a leading worldwide provider of energy and commodities information and spot market benchmarks. Superior Energy Systems is the only propane company nominated for such an award across a host of award categories. The Global Energy Awards, considered the "Oscars" of the energy industry and now in its 20th year, honors organizations and individuals who have demonstrated innovation, leadership and superior performance. Given the key role the energy industry plays in the global economy and its impact on society, S&P Global Platts believes that those that are committed to addressing the industry’s most pressing…

(October 11, 2018) — The South China Sea is a major trade route for crude oil, and in 2016 more than 30% of global maritime oil trade, or about 15 MMbbld, passed through it, reports the Energy Information Administration (EIA). More than 90% of crude oil volumes flowing through the South China Sea last year transited the Strait of Malacca, the shortest sea route between suppliers in Africa and the Persian Gulf and markets in Asia, making it one of the world’s primary oil transit chokepoints. In addition, a significant amount of crude oil, about 1.4 MMbbld, passes through the strait on its way to Singapore and the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, where it is refined before transiting the South China Sea in the…

(October 9, 2018) — The 2018 Diesel Emissions Reduction Acct (DERA) has announced a funding opportunity for school bus fleets that serve public schools. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Transportation and Air Quality is accepting applications nationwide for rebates to assist in replacing old, dirty diesel school buses with new, clean-burning, quieter propane autogas school buses that meet the cleanest emission standards. EPA anticipates awarding more than $9 million in this funding opportunity and selected applicants will receive $15,000-20,000 per bus for scrapping and replacing old buses. Eligible Entities: Regional, state, or tribal agencies including school districts and municipalities or private entities that operate school buses under a contract with an entity listed above. The EPA is offering a webinar about the 2018…