EIA Forecasts Cooler Temperatures, More Expensive Product
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
EIA’s Winter Fuels Outlook, published October 2020, finds that responses to COVID-19 and the mitigation efforts to stop its spread have significantly affected energy price and consumption patterns in 2020. Notably, the average U.S. consumer has increased residential uses of energy, such as powering electric appliances and space cooling/heating, but has decreased transportation-related uses of energy. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects that trend to continue into the winter of 2020–2021.
Modified Hours of Service (HOS) Have Been Implemented
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) is reminding the propane industry that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has published several modifications to Hours of Service (HOS) regulatory provisions, including expanding and extending elements of the short-haul operation exemption. As of Sept. 29, 2020, motor carriers and drivers can begin implementing these modifications.
Extended Offshore Energy Moratorium Denies Jobs, Revenue
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
The American Petroleum Institute (API; Washington, D.C.) issued the following statement on Sept. 25, in response to the Trump administration’s announcement to extend the existing offshore moratorium in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico to include additional areas off the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) through the year 2032.
EIA’s Natural Gas Annual 2019 Reports Record Highs
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Natural Gas Annual 2019, released Oct. 5, 2020, shows that the United States set new records in natural gas production, consumption, and gross exports in 2019. During the year, dry natural gas production increased by 10%, reaching a record-high average of 93.1 Bcfd. At the same time, U.S. natural gas consumption increased by 3%, led by greater use of natural gas in the electric power sector. Natural gas gross exports increased 29% to 12.8 Bcfd.
Hurricane Laura's Damage Greater Than Any Storm Since 2008
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
According to daily estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), Hurricane Laura reduced crude oil production in the Federal Offshore Gulf of Mexico by an estimated 14.4 MMbbl over a 15-day period, the most of any hurricane since the combined effect of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in 2008.
ThompsonGas Acquires EnergyUnited Propane
Thursday, October 1, 2020
ThompsonGas (Frederick, Md.) has announced the acquisition of EnergyUnited Propane, a leading energy provider in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia with 14 locations and more than 70 employees serving more than 29,000 customers. ThompsonGas says it is committed to serving the residential, commercial, and agricultural customers who have valued and trusted EnergyUnited’s presence and service in the area for over 20 years.
DCC Propane Acquires NES Group
Thursday, October 1, 2020
Cetane Associates LLC has announced that DCC Propane, LLC, a division of DCC plc (“DCC Propane”), of Roberts, Ill., has acquired the full-service energy business of Northeast Oil and Propane, Inc. and Saveway Petroleum Inc. (together the “NES Group”) headquartered in Brooklyn, Conn. The transaction closed on Sept. 2.
100% Renewable Propane Targeted for California by 2030
Thursday, October 1, 2020
Renewable propane is on track to play a major role in California’s green energy future with the industry targeting 2030 for supplying the state with a 100% sustainable energy source, the Western Propane Gas Association (WPGA) announced Sept. 25.

The news, along with the unveiling of WPGA’s sustainability statement, came during Climate Week 2020 and on the heels of California Gov. Newsom’s announced agenda to accelerate California’s climate change goals.
Renewable Propane to Be Explored In Virtual Conference Nov. 4
Thursday, October 1, 2020
The Western Propane Gas Association (WPGA) is hosting the first-ever virtual conference to explore promising opportunities for propane to provide sustainable energy to help address climate change. “The Path To Renewable Propane” will take place from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Pacific time on Nov. 4.

The online conference will feature lawmakers, policy experts, propane producers, and retailers discussing the role renewable propane can play to meet increasing energy needs while reducing carbon in the atmosphere.
U.S. Rig Count Up By 6
Thursday, October 1, 2020
According to the latest Baker Hughes Rig Count, released Sept. 25, the U.S. Rig Count is up six from the previous week to 261. Oil rigs are up four to 183, gas rigs are up two to 75, and miscellaneous rigs are unchanged at three.

The U.S. Rig Count is down 599 rigs from last year’s count of 860, with oil rigs down 530, gas rigs down 71, and miscellaneous rigs up two.
The U.S. Offshore Rig Count is unchanged at 14, though down 10 year-over-year.
Alliance AutoGas Grows its List of EPA Certifications
Thursday, October 1, 2020
As the alternative fuel movement continues to accelerate, Alliance AutoGas (AAG) has seen tremendous growth over recent years. To keep up with ever-evolving customer needs, AAG has been committed to the continued research and development of its engineered bi-fuel systems, while simultaneously growing its list of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifications.
Global Oil, Gas Project Sanctioning Set To Recover
Thursday, October 1, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated global oil and gas project sanctioning this year and will cause total committed spending to drop to around $53 billion from 2019’s $190 billion, Rystad Energy projects. Postponed plans will, however, cause the total worth of final investment decisions (FIDs) to double next year and exceed pre-pandemic levels already from 2022.

Offshore commitments are now expected to reach $34 billion in 2020, down from 2019’s $101 billion. Onshore sanctioning is likely to fall to $19 billion this year from $89 billion last year.
Enbridge to Resume Operation of East Segment of Line 5
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Enbridge (Calgary, Alberta, and Lansing, Mich.) will restart the east segment of Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac after receiving authorization from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and approval from the Michigan Circuit Court.
Ribbon-Cutting Event To Highlight Alternative Fuel Success
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Alliance AutoGas (AAG; Asheville, N.C.), a national coalition of businesses providing the fuel, technology, and ongoing support to autogas fleets across the country, and AAG founder, Blossman Gas, will participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for their new refueling station in Kingsport, Tenn., Sept. 29, 2020.
Canadian Propane, Butane Inventories Show Strength
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Canada’s primary underground propane inventories increased by 14.2% In August to begin September at 2336.6 Mcm, the equivalent of 14.7 MMbbl, according to the Canada Energy Regulator (CER). The total represented a good-sized month-to-month gain of 290.0 Mcm. Compared to a year earlier, stocks were up markedly, with an additional 1042.8 Mcm, or 80.6%, on hand.
U.S. Energy Markets Are Rebalancing, But Remain Fragile
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
According to the American Petroleum Institute’s (API) August 2020 Monthly Statistical Report and Q3 2020 Industry Outlook, the U.S. returned to being a net energy exporter in August despite disruptions from Hurricane Laura and ongoing uncertainty over the pandemic. Higher demand and less supply translated into lower crude oil inventories, further demonstrating the gradual rebalancing of the market.
U.S. Manufacturers Show Gain In Use of Natural Gas, HGLs
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Preliminary results from the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) 2018 Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey (MECS) available Sept. 17, show that the consumption of energy by manufacturers in the U.S. has continued to increase since its 2010 low. Natural gas and hydrocarbon gas liquids (HGLs) led the growth, together accounting for more than half of the sector’s energy consumption in 2018. The U.S.