U.S. Sells 4.32 MMbbl from Strategic Petroleum Reserve
Friday, April 5, 2019
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has sold 4.32 MMbbl of sweet crude oil from the nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) for a total of about $285.7 million, an average of $66.14/bbl, according to documents posted to the agency’s website and as reported by S&P Global Platts.
Senators Introduce Bill to Expedite FERC Reviews
Monday, April 1, 2019
WASHINGTON (April 1, 2019) — U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) have introduced the Timely Review of Infrastructure Act (S. 607), legislation aimed at reducing the long wait times for federal approval of energy infrastructure projects, including LNG initiatives.
Fog Delays Waterborne Shipments from Houston Affecting Propane Markets
Tuesday, March 26, 2019
Argus Media reported March 13 that fog had delayed vessel traffic through the Houston Ship Channel every day in preceeding week, delaying shipments of crude, refined products, and other commodities. The ship channel was shut for part of nearly every day in March for a total of 133 hours, according to data from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). This follows 232 hours of closures in February and 43 hours in January.
Refining, Shipping Industries Brace for Massive New Fuel Regulation
Thursday, March 21, 2019
The refining and shipping industries are ill-prepared for a massive change in fuel regulation set to go into effect next year, writes IHS Markit. The resulting market impacts will be major, costly, and far-reaching, says a new report from the business information and intelligence provider.
IEA: U.S. to Lead Global 5-Year Oil Supply Growth
Monday, March 18, 2019
The International Energy Agency (IEA) said March 11 the U.S. will drive oil supply growth over the next five years thanks to the remarkable strength of its shale industry, triggering a rapid transformation of world oil markets. The agency notes in its annual oil market forecast released that day that by the end of 2019 oil exports from the U.S.
New Key Statistics from EIA Highlight State Energy Data
Saturday, March 16, 2019
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) has released a new key statistics and indicators section in its State Energy Data System (SEDS), the agency’s comprehensive source for annual state energy statistics. The new section makes complete time-series data by state easier to access and provides state rankings tables for the most current year. Data in the key statistics and indicators section cover energy consumption and production series from 1960 to 2016 and prices and expenditures series from 1970 to 2016.
NPGA Joins Associations to Withdraw Furnace Standards
Monday, March 11, 2019
WASHINGTON — The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) reports it has joined the American Public Gas Association (APGA), the American Gas Association (AGA), and others to urge the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to withdraw a 2015 proposed energy efficiency standard for non-weatherized gas furnaces and mobile home gas furnaces.
Williams, Targa Ink Agreements To Link Conway, Belvieu Markets
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Williams Cos. Inc. (Tulsa) and Targa Resources Corp. (Houston) said Feb. 13 they had entered into new agreements and pipeline projects aimed at linking the Conway, Kan. and Mont Belvieu, Texas NGL markets.

Williams will build a 188-mile NGL line, the Bluestem Pipeline, from its fractionator in Conway and the southern terminus of the Overland Pass Pipeline
Louisiana Senator Releases Pro-Jobs Energy White Paper
Monday, March 4, 2019
U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), chairman of the Senate energy and economic growth subcommittees, has released a white paper making the case for a pro-jobs approach to lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Cassidy’s white paper explains how increased use of natural gas lowers emissions while furthering American economic success, and comes after Democrats proposed the Green New Deal, which is projected to cost trillions of dollars and put millions of Americans out of work.
Moda Midstream Eyes LPG Exports from Corpus Christi
Thursday, February 28, 2019
The Houston Chronicle reports that the Houston-based marine terminal operator Moda Midstream seeks to enter the growing LPG export market by upgrading its Ingleside, Texas facility located along the Corpus Christi Ship Channel. The upgrade is aimed at providing an alternative hub for exports of propane, butane, and other liquefied petroleum gases.
EIA Adds Play Production Data to Shale, Oil Reports
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that in December 2018 U.S. shale and tight plays produced about 65 Bcfd of natural gas, 70% of total U.S. dry gas production, and about 7 MMbbld of crude oil, 60% of total U.S. oil output. A decade ago, in December 2008, shale gas and tight oil accounted for 16% of total U.S. natural gas production and about 12% of total U.S. crude oil output.
U.S. Venezuela Sanctions Not A Market Supply Shock
Monday, February 25, 2019
IHS Markit observes that Venezuela was once a major global oil power, producing more than 3 MMbbld in the mid- to late-1990s. The nation is a founding member of OPEC. But oil industry decay— it never fully recovered from the 2002-2003 Petróleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA) strike and brain drain— means the U.S. ban on Venezuelan oil imports is not a major oil supply shock. North Dakota produces more crude oil than Venezuela.
Calls Mount to Prohibit Fossil Fuels In California Buildings
Monday, February 25, 2019
About half of all building emissions result from electricity use, and the other half from natural gas or propane appliances. As California’s electricity becomes cleaner, owing to the California Energy Commission’s most recent building code requiring all new homes to be built with on-site renewable energy, electricity emissions will decline. However, to cut the remaining emissions, fossil fuel-burning appliances must be replaced with all-electric units.
Vote for Energy a Vote For Prosperous Alberta
Friday, February 22, 2019
Alberta, Canada has an opportunity to become one of the most attractive places in the world for oil and natural gas investment, but only if Albertans vote for energy in the next provincial election, and insist political parties adopt policies aimed at enhancing industry competitiveness. That is according to the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP), which has authored an Alberta energy platform titled Oil and Natural Gas Priorities for a Prosperous Alberta.
Path to Balanced Oil Market A Marathon, Not a Sprint
Thursday, February 21, 2019
The journey to a balanced oil market will take time, and is more likely to be a marathon than a sprint, the International Energy Agency (IEA) writes in its January 2018 oil market report. The agency notes that while Saudi Arabia is determined to protect its price aspirations by delivering substantial production cuts, there is less clarity with regard to its Russian partner. Data show that Russia increased crude oil output in December to a new record near 11.5 MMbbld and it is unclear when it will cut and by how much.
West Virginia Sees Gas Output Growth Slowing
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
Citing West Virginia officials, S&P Global Platts writes that with the current round of pipeline buildouts nearly complete, the rapid increase in natural gas production and boost in prices realized by the state’s producers over the last several years are expected to slow. In a mid-January interview, deputy revenue secretary Mark Muchow said gas production in the Mountain State would continue rising through 2024, but at a slower pace than seen over the past several years.
EIA 2019 Outlook Projects Continued Robust Growth
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
The Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Annual Energy Outlook 2019 (AEO2019) forecasts continued robust growth in U.S. energy production and the emergence of the U.S. as an energy exporter. The report also expects the nation’s electric power generation mix to be cleaner, and includes a reference case and six side cases designed to examine the robustness of key assumptions.
Commissioner Rebuts Climate Catastrophists’ Call for Regulation
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
A coalition described as climate catastrophists, led by Environment Texas, has sent a letter to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott demanding immediate action to reduce emissions and combat what they claim is man-made climate change. In response, Railroad Commission of Texas commissioner Wayne Christian penned his own letter to the governor applauding him for his work on energy and environmental issues and the key role it has played in ensuring American energy dominance.
DCP Selling Wholesale Propane Business to NGL Energy Partners
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
NGL Energy Partners LP (Tulsa) and DCP Midstream LP (DCP; Denver) have executed a purchase and sale agreement under which DCP will convey its wholesale propane business to NGL Energy Partners. The wholesale business generally consists of seven natural gas liquids terminals in the eastern U.S.
Mercury Marine Introduces 5-HP Four-Stroke Fueled by Propane
Friday, February 15, 2019
Mercury Marine (Fond du Lac, Wis.) has just introduced a 5-hp propane four-stroke outboard motor to its lineup that “delivers no-hassle portability, reliability, and convenience running on alternative, clean-burning fuel, whether it’s powering aluminum boats, inflatables, or sailboats.”
Global Gas Supply Achieves Highest Growth in Decade
Monday, February 11, 2019
Global natural gas production grew at a record clip in 2018, driven by North America, according to research by Rystad Energy. The industry achieved a net output increase of 164 billion cu meters (Bcm; nearly 5.8 Bcf), which represents the highest production growth since 2010.
Implied Oil Volatility Soars, But Path Ahead Is Unclear
Friday, February 8, 2019
The 44% decline in crude oil prices in the fourth quarter of 2018 was dramatic, but pales in comparison to the 79% plunge between July and December 2008, or the 76% tumble from late 2014 to early 2016, writes the financial market company CME Group. “Remarkably, implied volatility on 30-day West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil options spiked to levels in line with those seen during the 2014-2016 bear market, although they fell short
of the record highs in 2008,” the company comments.