Blue Bird To Begin Producing Updated Propane, Gasoline Buses
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Blue Bird (Fort Valley, Ga.) announced Jan. 19 it will begin production this spring of its propane and gasoline Vision school buses that integrate Ford’s all-new 7.3L V8 engine and a purpose-built fuel system designed specifically for school-bus application. The 2022 model features innovative technology that integrates an advanced fuel system with a new engine, improved and simplified wiring and fuel line routing, and an updated look for school buses.
Palmer Gas & Oil Breaks Ground on Propane Storage Facility
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
On Jan. 13, Palmer Gas & Oil (Atkinson, N.H.) confirmed its commitment to keeping New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts homes and businesses warm by breaking ground on a propane storage facility in Somersworth, N.H. Family-owned Palmer Gas & Oil, along with its subdivision Lamprey Energy, is one of the largest providers of commercial and residential fuel, service, sales, and installation in the area.
Saving America’s Energy Future Act Introduced
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
The Petroleum Equipment & Services Association (PESA) reports that during the week of Jan. 11, Texas Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX-11) introduced a bill that would protect the oil and gas industry from potential limits to drilling on federal lands. H.R. 218 would prohibit the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture from issuing moratoriums on issuing new oil and gas leases and drill permits on certain federal lands.
API Outlines Path to Affordable, Reliable, and Cleaner Energy
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
The American Petroleum Institute (API) Jan. 13 hosted its annual State of American Energy address, where it outlined actions the natural gas and oil industry is taking to support the nation’s economic recovery and a vision for an affordable, reliable, and cleaner energy future. API president and CEO Mike Sommers headlined the event that drew more than 2000 virtual attendees and featured young professionals and local energy leaders, including a New Mexico teacher and Pennsylvania-based union trade leader.
Rig Counts Rise Again
U.S. Rig Count increased by 13 from the previous week to reach 373 rigs.
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
According to the most recent Baker Hughes Rig Count, released Jan. 15, the U.S. Rig Count increased by 13 from the previous week to reach 373 rigs. Oil rigs increased by 12 to 287, gas rigs added one to 85, and miscellaneous rigs were unchanged for a total of one.

The U.S. rig count was down 423 rigs from last year's count of 796, with oil rigs down by 386, gas rigs down 35, and miscellaneous rigs decreased by two.
The U.S. offshore rig count was down one to 16, and is off by four year-over-year.
Oilfield Services and Equipment Sector Adds Jobs
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
According to analysis of preliminary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) by the Petroleum Equipment & Services Association (PESA), America’s oilfield services and equipment (OFS) sector employment edged higher for a fourth month, adding an estimated 4592 jobs in December.
Rystad Energy Announces Key Findings from Gas Year 2020 Review
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Demand for all fuels was hurt in 2020, and natural gas was no exception. As the year concluded, Rystad Energy has analyzed all of the year’s gas-related activity and produced a thorough report, offering some key figures and some long-term outlook on the future of the industry. Here is a selection of its key findings it released Jan. 11:

2020 Estimates:
U.S. Oil, Natural Gas Production to Fall in 2021, Rise in 2022
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
In its January 2020 Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts that annual U.S. crude oil production will average 11.1 MMbbld in 2021, down 200,000 MMbbld from 2020 as a result of a decline in drilling activity related to low oil prices. A production decline in 2021 would mark the second consecutive year of production declines. Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic led to supply and demand disruptions.
Dead River Co. is Grand Champion for Highway Safety
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Dead River Co. (South Portland, Maine) revealed Jan. 19 that its commitment to transport safety has resulted in yet another Grand Champion Fleet Safety Award from the Maine Motor Transport Association (MMTA).

The award, announced Jan. 5 during the MMTA’s virtual annual meeting, was presented to Dead River Co. by Tim Doyle, vice president of the MMTA.
Mid-Month to Mid-Month: Mid-January Prices Keep on Surging
Thursday, January 14, 2021
During the latest mid-month period, posted prices at Mont Belvieu seemingly showed the effects of winter demand as they strengthened by just over 26.50 cents/gal., while spot prices jumped more than 33 cents. Group 140, Conway, Kan., postings ended with a 30.2-cent gain and spots pushed up 31.50 cents over the month.
EIA Explains Developments in Global Oil Consumption
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
In its January 2021 Short-Term Energy Outlook Supplement: Developments in Global Oil Consumption, EIA explained the effects on oil consumption, beyond an economic recession’s implications alone, increased the challenges in estimating petroleum consumption. Looking back at 2020, even in May and June, the extent of consumption declines in April were unknown, and to some extent, are still unknown.
Mike Hopsicker Acquires 100% of Ray Murray Inc.
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
Ray Murray Inc. (RMI; Lee, Mass.) has revealed that effective Jan. 7, Mike Hopsicker has acquired 100% ownership of RMI. The partnership between Hopsicker and the Murray family began in 2005 when they began working together on a planned transition of ownership. Prior to RMI, Hopsicker was CEO of Agway Inc., and spent 8 years as the CEO of Agway Energy Products, one of the largest retail marketers of propane and fuel oil in the U.S.
Tenth District Energy Activity Expanded Moderately
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City released its fourth quarter Energy Survey Jan. 8. According to Chad Wilkerson, Oklahoma City Branch executive and economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, the survey revealed that Tenth District energy activity expanded moderately but continued to lag year-ago levels.
Rig Counts On The Rise
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
According to the most recent Baker Hughes Rig Count, released Jan. 8, the U.S. Rig Count increased by nine rigs to reach 360 rigs. Oil rigs increased by eight to 275, gas rigs added one to 84, and miscellaneous rigs were unchanged for a total of one.

The U.S. rig count was down 421 rigs from last year's count of 781, with oil rigs down by 384, gas rigs down 35, and miscellaneous rigs decreased by two.
2020 Crude Oil Prices Were the Lowest in More Than 15 Years
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported Jan. 6 that response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the first half of 2020, led to steep declines in petroleum demand, highly volatile crude oil markets, and rising U.S. and global liquid fuels inventories.
IEA’s Roadmap To Net-Zero Emissions By 2050
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
The International Energy Agency (IEA) said Jan. 11 that it will produce the world’s first comprehensive roadmap for the energy sector to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 as it further strengthens its leadership role in global clean energy transitions.
CVSA Releases 2020 International Roadcheck Results
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
More than 50,000 North American Standard Level I, II, III, and V inspections were conducted throughout Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) three-day International Roadcheck commercial motor vehicle and driver inspection and enforcement initiative. The overall vehicle out-of-service rate in North America, for Level I, II, and V Inspections combined, was 20.9%.
NTEA Adopts Climate Change Policy
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
NTEA, the Association for the Work Truck Industry (NTEA; Farmington Hills, Mich.), said Jan. 5 that its board of directors adopted a climate change policy that continues the association’s commitment to facilitating productive use of alternative fuels and advanced technologies for commercial vehicles.
Tankfarm Launches Proprietary AI-Powered Sales Bot
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
Tankfarm, a propane distribution company headquartered in Millbrook, N.Y., announced Jan. 5 that it has released an AI-powered natural language processing sales bot to help onboard new propane users. The bot is able to discuss propane pricing, delivery, and tank monitoring, and walk the consumer through a comprehensive comparison with their current propane supplier.
Canadian Rig Counts Tumble
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
According to the most recent Baker Hughes Rig Count, released Dec. 30, the U.S. Rig Count increased by three rigs to reach 351 rigs. Oil rigs rose by three to 267, gas rigs were unchanged at 83, and miscellaneous rigs were also unchanged for a total of one.

The U.S. rig count was off 445 rigs from last year's count of 796, with oil rigs down by 403, gas rigs down 40, and miscellaneous rigs decreased by two.
The U.S. offshore rig count was unchanged at 17, and is off by five year-over-year.