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.
North American Petchem Producers May See Advantage by Reducing Capex for 2020
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
The shale gas advantage of North American petrochemical majors provides a boost for investments in the region, primarily in the U.S., says GlobalData, a data and analytics company. However, the oil price crash narrowed this advantage and is likely to affect profitability. North American petrochem majors that strive to pace investments efficiently, in line with market trends, will boost their competitiveness and seize further opportunities for growth over the long-term, says GlobalData.
Alternative Fuel Tax Credits Approved for 2021
Tuesday, December 29, 2020
On Dec. 28, Roush alerted its customers and the propane industry that the Alternative Fuel Tax Credit was approved for 2021. On Sunday night, Dec. 27, President Trump signed the FY 2021 Omnibus Spending Bill combined with the COVID Stimulus measures.
API Supports Maintaining Strong Air Quality Standards
Tuesday, December 29, 2020
The American Petroleum Institute (API) on Dec. 23 welcomed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final decision to retain the existing ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). EPA is required to review the standards every five years under the Clean Air Act. The decision follows the EPA’s review of scientific evidence and public health assessments that found the existing standards protect the public while supporting a downward trend in U.S. emissions and cleaner air quality.
Howard Energy Partners To Acquire Refinery Services Facility
Tuesday, December 29, 2020
Howard Energy Partners (San Antonio, Texas) revealed Dec. 29 that it has executed an agreement with a subsidiary of MPLX LP to purchase the Javelina Facility located in Corpus Christi, Texas. Javelina is a treating and fractionation plant that extracts olefins, hydrogen, and natural gas liquids (NGLs) from the gas streams produced by local refineries, creating purity products that are then sold to local markets on behalf of its refiner-customers.
U.S. Rig Counts Continue To Grow
Tuesday, December 29, 2020
According to the most recent Baker Hughes Rig Count, released Dec. 23, the U.S. Rig Count added two rigs to the previous week’s total to reach 348 rigs. Oil rigs rose by one to 264, gas rigs added two to 83, and miscellaneous rigs declined by one for a total of one.

The U.S. rig count was down 457 rigs from last year's count of 805, with oil rigs off by 413, gas rigs down 42, and miscellaneous rigs off by two.
The U.S. offshore rig count added one to total 17, but is down by six year-over-year.
A Window of Opportunity Opens for Producers in 2021
Tuesday, December 29, 2020
According to Rystad Energy (Oslo, Norway), the COVID-19 pandemic has devastated crude and condensate demand in 2021, creating massive supply surpluses and filling up inventories, causing producers to slash output in order to keep prices at somewhat profitable levels. The independent energy research and business intelligence company’s latest balances, however, show that 2021 could offer producers a window of opportunity, as monthly supply deficits may reach their highest level in years.
Group Launches New Program to Reduce Flaring
Tuesday, December 29, 2020
The Environmental Partnership Dec. 16 announced the launch of its latest performance program, which is focused on reducing flaring in upstream operations. The flare management program expands on The Environmental Partnership’s core mission, which recently added midstream operations and represents more than 70% of total onshore U.S.
Offen Petroleum Acquires Ozark Mountain Energy
Tuesday, December 22, 2020
Offen Petroleum (Commerce City, Colo.) announced Dec. 15 that it has acquired the business assets of Ozark Mountain Energy, a motor fuel distributor, and Petroleum Express, its affiliate trucking company, both based in Mt. Vernon, Mo. Offen is a provider of motor fuel, lubricants, and petroleum logistics services in Colorado and 15 surrounding states. The acquisition further expands Offen's footprint into the Mid-Continent and Midwestern states.