Mid-Month to Mid-Month: Are Propane Prices Strengthening Their Base?
Thursday, August 13, 2020
With crop drying and heating season on the horizon, many marketers are pondering just what Mother Nature has up her sleeve for winter 2020-2021. Deciding how much supply to have on hand can sometimes seem like a roll of the dice. However, will marketers heed the warning of many traders, as well as PERC and the National Propane Gas Association, who advise that supplies should be secured early to ensure that adequate product is in place, or has been procured, as customers begin to purchase their fuel to take them into the fall and winter season?
ThompsonGas Buys Illinois-Based Propane Retailer
Wednesday, August 12, 2020
ThompsonGas LLC (Frederick, Md.) has acquired Midwestern Propane Gas Co. (Belleville, Ill.), one of the largest independent propane retailers in its region. The company serves approximately 5000 residential and commercial customers throughout Illinois and Missouri.
Growmark, Southern States Cooperative Combine Efforts
Wednesday, August 12, 2020
Growmark Inc. (Bloomington, Ill.) and Southern States Cooperative (Richmond, Va.) announced on Aug. 10 plans to close on a transaction on Sept. 1 that aligns the organizations operationally to yield increased innovation, growth, and returns for the farmer-owners of both cooperative systems.
U.S. Permits for New Horizontal Drilling Dip to 10-Year Low
Wednesday, August 12, 2020
A new Rystad Energy (Oslo, Norway) analysis shows U.S. horizontal drilling activity in oil basins, which has plummeted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is not likely to materially recover this year. Drilling permits, which are increasingly reliable indicators of future activity levels, dipped to a 10-year monthly low in July, with only 454 awards.
Oil Markets Approach Key Point of Recovery
Wednesday, August 12, 2020
The latest IHS Markit Outlook for Global Oil Market Fundamentals and Prices Through 2021, available Aug. 6, finds that oil markets have returned to relatively stable ground with Brent prices within a narrow $40-$45 per barrel range and could conclusively pass the $50 per barrel mark in the second half of 2021, according to Roger Diwan and the IHS Markit Energy Advisory Service.
Baker Hughes Completes July 2020 Rig Counts
Wednesday, August 12, 2020
Baker Hughes reported Aug. 7 that the firm’s international rig count for July 2020 totaled 743, down 38 from the 781 counted in June 2020, and off 419 from 1162 in July 2019. The international offshore rig count for July 2020 was 183, 11 less than the 194 counted in June 2020, and down 72 from the 255 counted in July 2019.

The average U.S. rig count for July 2020 was 255, off 19 from the June 2020 count of 274, and down 700 from July 2019’s count of 955.
Oilfield Services and Equipment Sector Job Losses Near 100,000
Wednesday, August 12, 2020
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the U.S. economy added 1.8 million jobs in July, however, the Oilfield Services and Equipment Employment Report compiled and published by the Petroleum Equipment and Services Association (PESA), found that employment in the oilfield services and equipment (OFS) sector fell by more than 9300 jobs in July.
Northeast-Mid-Atlantic Oil/Propane Safety & Compliance Working Group Forms
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
A group of retailer energy marketer safety and compliance professionals on July 29 announced formation of a “working group” that will act as a forum for safety and compliance discussions. It is set to begin this month and continue on a periodic basis.

This culminated following informal discussions over the past few months and was set into place on July 29 when the group held an “exploratory call” to discuss whether such an informal group would organize further.
Service Technician Talks Propane Forklift Safety in New PERC Video
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has released a new forklift safety video, adding to its existing collection of online safety resources. The video features safety tips narrated by a propane service technician.

The two-minute video demonstrates propane forklift safety tips for the refueling process. The service technician outlines important topics including proper protective gear, how to inspect tanks for exterior damage, how to put a cylinder on a forklift, how to secure the tank, and more.
Rig Count Holds Steady
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
On its July 31 recap, the Baker Hughes rig count was unchanged from the prior week’s count of 251 rigs. During the week, oil rigs were down one to 180 units, gas rigs added one to 69, and miscellaneous rigs were unchanged at two.

Compared to last year, the U.S. Rig Count is down 691 rigs from 942, with oil rigs down 590, gas rigs 102 less, and miscellaneous rigs up one to total two rigs.
The U.S. Offshore Rig Count is unchanged at 12 and down 10 year-over-year.
Charlie Summers to Lead Brunswick-based MEMA and MTEC
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
The Maine Energy Marketers Association (MEMA) has appointed Charles Summers Jr. as its next president to lead MEMA and its MTEC Education Center in providing its more than 300 fueloil, propane, biofuels, and motor fuels members with an enhanced level of service and support.
RRC Production Statistics for May
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
Crude oil and natural gas production as reported to the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) for May 2020 came from 170,718 oil wells and 86,469 gas wells.
RRC reports that from June 2019 to May 2020, total Texas reported production was 1.5 Bbbl of crude oil and 10.4 Tcf of total gas. Crude oil production reported by the RRC is limited to oil produced from oil leases and does not include condensate, which RRC reports separately.
Superior Plus Acquires Champagne’s Energy
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Superior Plus Corp. (Toronto) has entered into an asset agreement to acquire a retail propane distribution company, operating under the tradename, Champagne’s Energy.
Founded in 1981, Champagne is an established independent retail propane distributor delivering approximately 11 million gallons of propane and distillates annually to retail and commercial customers in Maine.
Little Change In Outlook For Canadian Oil Sands
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
IHS Markit’s 10-year forecast expects oil sands production to be nearly 3.8 MMbbld in 2030, compared to a 3.9 MMbbld projection pre-pandemic. Production is expected to post the largest annual decline on record, nearly 175,000 bbld in 2020, due to COVID-19. The longer-term trajectory of oil sands production is expected to change little compared to pre-pandemic projections, according to a new 10-year forecast by IHS Markit, a world leader in critical information, analytics, and solutions.
School Buses to be Replaced Under Clean Diesel Program Grant
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
An alliance of four school districts in Michigan has been awarded $450,000 to replace diesel buses that are at least 12 years old with new propane- and diesel-powered vehicles.
Hamilton Community Schools led the consortium that was the successful applicant from among 20 candidates for grants under the federal Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA). Funding is allocated through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Diesel Program, which is administered by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
Palmer Gas & Oil Voted Business of the Decade
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Palmer Gas & Oil (PGO; Atkinson, N.H.), a provider of fuel delivery and service programs, has been named Business of the Decade by Business NH Magazine. The company was recognized for its achievements in the Retail/Wholesale category.
U.S. Rig Count Slumps While Canada’s Rises
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Baker Hughes’ U.S. rig count shows that weakness continues in the U.S. Over the last week, the count has fallen by two for a total of 251 rigs. The number of oil rigs increased by one to 181, gas rigs were down three to 68, and miscellaneous rigs were unchanged at two.

Compared to last year, the count is down 695 rigs from a year earlier’s total of 946 rigs. Oil rigs are down 595, gas rigs down 101, and miscellaneous rigs up one to a total of two.The U.S. offshore rig count is unchanged at 12 and is 13 less year over year.
National Clean Energy Week to Highlight Clean Energy Solutions
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
The events at this year’s National Clean Energy Week (NCEW), scheduled for September 21-25, will focus on the strength of the clean energy sector and its contributions to building a stronger America. NCEW, founded in 2017, features a variety of programming including the Policy Makers Symposium, a unique bipartisan event—that goes virtual this year and expands to a week-long—to celebrate the latest in clean energy policy, technologies, and collaborative opportunities for innovators, investors, advocates, and policy makers.
Canadian Propane and Butane Inventories Climbed in June
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Canada’s primary underground propane inventories rose 38.2% in June to begin July at 1465.4 Mcm, the equivalent of 9.2 MMbbl, according to the Canada Energy Regulator (CER). The total represented a significant month-to-month gain of 405.1 Mcm. Compared to a year earlier, stocks were up an impressive 647.4 Mcm, or 79.1%.