IEA: Oil Market Remains Calm Despite Geopolitical Backdrop
Thursday, June 6, 2019
The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) May oil market report observed that despite the difficult geopolitical situation and other supply problems, oil prices were little changed from a month earlier. Noted was that ongoing geopolitical concerns around Libya, Iran, and Venezuela had been joined by attacks on shipping off Fujairah and on two pumping stations in Saudi Arabia. But at the time of the report’s writing there were no disruptions to oil sup- plies and prices remained little changed.
Flexible LNG Contracts Prompt Transformation of Finance Models
Thursday, June 6, 2019
Flexible U.S. LNG contracts are helping to create a global, commoditized spot market and are transforming project financing models, writes S&P Global Platts, citing the American Petroleum Institute (API). The U.S. could become the world’s third-largest LNG exporter by the end of this year, after Qatar and Australia, and is bringing “unprecedented” options for pricing and contract terms to the market, API policy officer Dustin Meyer tells the market intelligence provider.
ExxonMobil to Invest Up to $100 Million on R&D Project
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
ExxonMobil (Irving, Texas) is investing up to $100 million over 10 years to research and develop advanced, lower-emission technologies in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory and National Energy Technology Laboratory.

The agreement, among the largest between DOE’s laboratories and the private sector, will support research and collaboration into ways to bring biofuels and carbon capture and storage to commercial scale across the transportation, power generation, and industrial sectors.
North Dakota Courting Petrochemical Industry For Plastics Plant
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
The Bismarck Tribune reports that North Dakota is courting the petrochemical industry with a new tax incentive aimed at adding value to the state’s abundant natural gas supply. A bill approved in the recent legislative session adds a sales tax exemption for certain natural gas processing facilities. The goal is to produce a supply of ethane, propane, and other products that could attract a plastics manufacturing plant to North Dakota.
Con Edison Calls Moratorium For New York Gas Connections
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Consolidated Edison Inc., or Con Edison, the largest utility provider in the New York City area and one that serves 10 million customers, called a moratorium on new natural gas connections in most of Westchester County effective March 16. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) comments that demand for natural gas in the region has increased in recent years, leading to concerns about reliability of service.
After Crane Rule, Industry Focuses On Other Concerns
Friday, May 31, 2019
Jeff Petrash, National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) vice president and general counsel, said a quote from a Rolling Stones song that may summarize as well as anything the industry’s results on years of fighting for an exemption from the OSHA Crane Rule. “You can’t always get what you want,” the lyrics say. “But if you try, sometimes, you might find you get what you need.” While the total exemption was not agreed to, the rule limits the expensive certification to installing tanks at construction sites.
Interior Department Disburses $215 Million to Coastal States
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) has disbursed nearly $215 million in fiscal year 2018 energy revenues to the four Gulf Coast oil- and gas-producing states—Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, and their coastal political subdivisions—an increase of $26.95 million, or 14.3%, over the previous year.
Natural Gas Plays Integral Role In Future Low-Carbon Economy
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Natural gas will remain a significant contributor to the energy portfolio and to economic growth in the U.S. over the next two decades, playing a key role in meeting low-carbon goals, a new study commissioned by the INGAA Foundation finds. Conducted by Black & Veatch Management Consulting, the report, The Role of Natural Gas in the Transition to a Lower-Carbon Economy, presents a comprehensive analysis of the future role of natural gas and natural gas infrastructure in a greener economy over a 20-year period from 2020 to 2040.
Blackmer Releases New Video On Effects, Solutions To Cavitation
Friday, May 24, 2019
Blackmer (Grand Rapids, Mich.) has developed a new video to help illustrate why pump cavitation occurs, the potential harmful effects it has on pumping components, and possible solutions to avoid this common pumping challenge. The video may be viewed at youtube.com/user/BlackmerGlobal.
Number of U.S. DUCs Continues to Accelerate
Thursday, May 23, 2019
The number of drilled but uncompleted (DUC) wells in seven key oil and natural gas production regions in the U.S. has increased over the last two years, reaching a high of 8504 wells in February 2019, according to well counts in the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Drilling Productivity Report. The most recent count, at 8500 wells in March 2019, was 26% higher than the previous March.
U.S. Consumes More Energy In 2018 Than Ever Before
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that primary energy consumption in the U.S. reached a record-high 101.3 quadrillion Btu in 2018, up 4% from 2017 and 0.3% above the previous record set in 2007. The increase last year was the largest, both in absolute and percentage terms, in energy consumption since 2010.
Strong Build Season Expected, Exports to Limit Stock Growth
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
While reporting that weekly Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates of U.S. propane stocks show builds since the week ending March 8, the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) notes that, by comparison, in 2018 and 2017 strong, consistent builds did not begin until the end of April.
All-Electric Homes Climb to 1 in 4 of All U.S. Residences
Monday, May 13, 2019
A growing number of homes in the U.S. are all-electric, with 25% of residences nationwide using only electricity, according to the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) 2015 Residential Energy Consumption Survey. The survey contains the latest data available.
U.S. Crude Output Surpasses Old Record, 17% Growth In 2018
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Annual U.S. crude oil production reached a record level of 10.96 MMbbld in 2018, 1.6 MMbbld, or 17%, higher than 2017 levels, reports the Energy Information Administration (EIA). In December 2018, output reached 11.96 MMbbld, the highest monthly level in U.S. history. U.S. crude production has increased significantly over the past decade, driven mainly by output from tight rock formations using horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. EIA projects that U.S.
Expensive Oil Being Pumped in California
Monday, April 29, 2019
(April 29, 2019) — Bloomberg reports that in California’s San Joaquin Valley pumpjacks are lifting what is among the world’s most expensive types of crude oil. Buena Vista crude’s posted price was $70.53/bbl in late March, more than $10 above West Texas Intermediate futures and nearly $3 above Brent, the international benchmark.
Shell, Energy Transfer Sign U.S. LNG Project Agreement
Thursday, April 25, 2019
Texas-based Energy Transfer LP (Dallas) and Shell U.S. LNG LLC (Houston) have signed an agreement that provides the framework to further develop a large-scale LNG export facility in Lake Charles, La. The move advances the initiative to a potential final investment decision and the companies have initiated contacts with LNG engineering, procurement, and contracting companies aimed at issuing an invitation for project tenders within coming weeks.
Tri-Gas & Oil Terminal Completed by Superior Energy Systems
Thursday, April 25, 2019
Superior Energy Systems (Columbia Station, Ohio) has completed its most recent propane terminal build for Tri Gas & Oil Co. Inc. (Federalsburg, Md.), which will operate under its affiliate, Mid-Atlantic Rail Services (MARS). Superior led all efforts in the design, engineering, permitting, construction, startup, and commissioning of the new Baltimore facility.
Sharp Energy Expands Rail Infrastructure in Delaware
Thursday, April 25, 2019
Sharp Energy, the propane distribution subsidiary of Chesapeake Utilities Corp. (Dover, Del.), has completed upgrades to its propane rail terminal in north Dover, reports Delaware Business Now. The expansion project tripled Sharp Energy’s storage capacity. The company serves tens of thousands of customers in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
Panama Canal Expansion Increases Propane, Butane Exports From Gulf
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
In the years since the Panama Canal was expanded, the only significant change in petroleum flows through the waterway has been an increase of hydrocarbon gas liquids (HGL) like propane and butane from the U.S. Gulf Coast to destinations in Asia, reports the Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Panama canal Expansion Increases Hydrocarbon Gas Liquid Transits including propane LPG
W.Va. Lawmakers Pass Bills To Expedite Output, Transport
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Legislation by West Virginia lawmakers during their recently concluded legislative session is expected to encourage the construction of distribution pipeline systems in underserved areas of the state, as well as provide a tax break to producers from low-producing natural gas wells, reports S&P Global Platts.
Geopolitical Tensions Position U.S. As Leading Oil, Gas Supplier
Wednesday, April 10, 2019
U.S. energy exporters have the opportunity to seize more market share amid economic strife and geo-political tensions in hot spots in Latin America and the Middle East, and amid efforts in Europe to break its reliance on Russian natural gas, industry and government leaders said in mid-March at the annual CERAWeek energy conference in Houston, as reported by S&P Global
Platts.
Petroleum Product Exports Set Record High in 2018
Monday, April 8, 2019
U.S. exports of petroleum products set a record high last year, reaching an annual average of 5.6 MMbbld and representing an increase of 366,000 bbld from 2017 levels, reports the Energy Information Administration (EIA). The three largest individual petroleum product exports in 2018 were distillates, propane, and motor gasoline. U.S. motor gasoline exports, including blending components, and propane set record highs and distillates were the second-highest on record, following the high set in 2017.