USGS Hikes Appalachian Estimates for Natural Gas
Thursday, October 24, 2019
(October 24, 2019) — The Marcellus Shale and Point Pleasant/Utica Shale formations in the Appalachian Basin contain an estimated 214 Tcf of undiscovered, technically recoverable natural gas, according to new U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) assessments. The Marcellus, Point Pleas- ant, and Utica are extensive formations that cover parts of Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Gas Price Forecast Falls to Levels Not Seen Since 1970s
Monday, October 21, 2019
(October 21, 2019) — A persistent oversupply of natural gas will drive the 2020 average price at the Henry Hub down to a level not seen in decades, according to a new report from IHS Markit. The oversupply, to be reinforced by a new surge in associated gas production from the Permian Basin, will push the average price down below $2/MMBtu for the year, the market intelligence provider maintains. That is the lowest prices have averaged in real terms since the 1970s. In nominal terms, the last time prices dipped under $2 was in 1995.
Enterprise Building 2nd Mont Belvieu PDH Plant
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
(October 15, 2019) — Affiliates of LyondellBasell Industries NV (Rotterdam) and Enterprise Products LP (Houston) have signed long-term contracts supporting construction of Enterprise’s second propane dehydrogenation (PDH) plant. PDH 2, to be located in Mont Belvieu, Texas, will have the capacity to consume up to 35,000 bbld of propane and produce up to 1.65 billion pounds of polymer-grade propylene (PGP) a year.
NPGA Sells CETP Training To Propane Council
Friday, October 11, 2019
(October 11, 2019) — The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) and the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) have reached agreement on terms to transfer the certification assets of the industry’s Certified Employee Training Program (CETP) from NPGA to PERC effective Dec. 31, 2019. The action was mutually agreed upon by the officers and leadership of both organizations to help improve safety and training in the propane industry by moving all assets under one roof.
Rhoads Energy Announces Plan to Upgrade Vehicle Fleet to Propane
Thursday, October 10, 2019
(October 10, 2019) — The Rhoads Energy Family of Companies, has plenty of first-hand experience helping school districts convert bus fleets to clean propane autogas: they’re quieter, cleaner and cost significantly less to operate.

In fact, Rhoads found the advantages so compelling that the company decided to commit to expanding its own propane-powered service fleet of more than 20 vehicles over the next year.
Natural Gas Production Reaches New Record Despite Low Prices
Monday, October 7, 2019
(October 7, 2019) — U.S. natural gas production continued to rise in August, setting a new daily production record of 92.8 Bcfd on Aug. 19, according to estimates by IHS Markit and as reported by the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Natural gas output also set a new monthly record in August, averaging more than 91 Bcfd for the first time.
Oil Price Next Year Relies on 3 Factors
Friday, October 4, 2019
(October 4, 2019) — Three essential factors will determine the direction of the oil price and market balancing next year, according to Oslo, Norway-based Rystad Energy. In a market update, BjØrnar Tonhaugen, head of oil market research at the business intelligence company, argues that a balanced oil market in 2020 is contingent on three pillars: no global recession, continued OPEC production cuts, and the effect of stricter new International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations effective Jan. 1, 2020 on vessel bunker-fuel emissions.
Canadian Association Hosts Federal, Provincial Officials
Thursday, October 3, 2019
(October 3, 2019) — Federal natural resources minister Amarjeet Sohi and Alberta’s assistant minister of natural gas Dale Nally addressed Alberta members of the Canadian Propane Association (CPA) in September. Their attendance at an event in Red Deer showed a recognition that propane has an important role to play in Canada’s policy development, the association said.
Pennsylvania Permitting Plummets As Natural Gas Producers Pull Back
Tuesday, October 1, 2019
(October 1, 2019) — Still under pressure from investors to throttle back spending in the face of low natural gas prices, Pennsylvania shale gas drillers pulled 23% fewer permits for new wells in August compared with 2018 and 14% fewer permits compared with July, writes S&P Global Platts.
Energy Transfer to Acquire SemGroup in $5-Billion Deal
Monday, September 30, 2019
(September 30, 2019) — Energy Transfer LP (Dallas) has a merger deal in place to acquire SemGroup Corp. (Tulsa) in a stock and cash transaction valued at about $5 billion, which includes assumption of debt. The transaction is expected to close late this year or early next year, subject to the approval of SemGroup stockholders and regulatory approvals.
Saudi Production Outage Sends Global Crude Oil Prices Soaring
Thursday, September 26, 2019
(September 26, 2019) — The Energy Information Administration (EIA) writes that the Sept. 14 attack that damaged the Saudi Aramco Abqaiq oil processing facility and the Khurais oil field in eastern Saudi Arabia caused Brent and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude prices to experience their steepest single-day increase in a decade Sept. 16. The Abqaiq facility is the world’s largest crude oil processing and stabi- lization plant, with a capacity of 7 MMbbld, or about 7% of world oil output capacity.
NPGA Opposes ASHRAE Proposal For Unvented Heater Standard
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
(September 25, 2019) — The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) reports that over the last few years it has joined other fuel gas industry partners to oppose an “extremely stringent sizing criteria” for unvented heaters that was proposed for ASHRAE (American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) 62.2—Standard for Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality for Low-Rise Residential Buildings.
Canadian Association Issues Weather Emergency Advice
Monday, September 23, 2019
(September 23, 2019) — As Atlantic Canada grappled with the effects of heavy rainfall and power outages in early September, the Canadian Propane Association (CPA) and propane retailers encouraged Canadians to take safety precautions and issued flood safety tips for propane users to keep themselves safe during difficult weather conditions.
35% Decline In Onshore Well Production
Monday, September 23, 2019
IHS Markit, noting it had harnessed the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to assess, automate, and predict the future production of each of the nearly one million producing oil and gas wells in its North American data- bases, is forecasting rapid onshore oil-production decline rates, with existing wells falling by 35% over the next 12 months. This compares with base declines of 5% to 14% for most petroleum systems globally during the same period—and a base decline rate of less than 15% a decade ago in the U.S.
National Resolution Opposing Sen. Sanders’ Climate Plan Passed
Monday, September 23, 2019
(September 23, 2019) — The Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC) passed a resolution introduced by Railroad Commission of Texas chairman Wayne Christian urging the federal government to oppose presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-Vt.) version of the Green New Deal.
Global LPG Market Seen Reaching $359.32 Billion By 2025
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
(September 17, 2019) — The global LPG market was valued at $277.93 billion in 2018 and is expected to reach $359.32 billion by 2025, notching a 3.1% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), according to a new report by Zion Market Research. The firm observes that rapid urbanization and enhanced purchase parity among populations in emerging economies are key factors driving the LPG market.
35% Decline In Onshore Well Production Predicted
Monday, September 16, 2019
(September 16, 2019) — IHS Markit, noting it had harnessed the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to assess, automate, and predict the future production of each of the nearly one million producing oil and gas wells in its North American data- bases, is forecasting rapid onshore oil-production decline rates, with existing wells falling by 35% over the next 12 months. This compares with base declines of 5% to 14% for most petroleum systems globally during the same period—and a base decline rate of less than 15% a decade ago in the U.S.
Expanding NGL Markets Likely To Affect Producer Decisions
Monday, September 16, 2019
(September 16, 2019) — Expanding markets for natural gas liquids produced in the Appalachian Basin should provide an extra financial incentive for natural gas producers in the region to maintain robust production in the long term, although concerns over low gas and NGL prices continue to dominate short-term planning, writes S&P Global Platts.
Enterprise, Chevron Agreements Support Offshore Crude Oil Port
Thursday, September 12, 2019
(September 12, 2019) — Enterprise Products Partners LP (Houston) and Chevron USA Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Chevron Corp. (San Ramon, Calif.), have signed long-term agreements supporting the development of Enterprise’s Sea Port Oil Terminal (SPOT) in the Gulf of Mexico.
Pennsylvania Recruitment Program Gets $50,000 in PERC Funding
Monday, September 9, 2019
(September 9, 2019) — The Pennsylvania Propane Foundation has been awarded $50,000 by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) for its GeneratioNext Energy Pros initiative, a workforce development program designed to connect students and graduates of technical schools with potential employers in the propane industry.
Expected Refinery Run Rate Decline First In A Decade
Friday, September 6, 2019
(September 6, 2019) — U.S. gross inputs to refineries, also known as refinery runs, have increased each year since 2009, most recently reaching a record-high of 17.3 MMbbld in 2018, reports the Energy Information Administration (EIA). However, based on the agency’s monthly refinery-run data through May and the forecast for the remainder of 2019, EIA expects refinery runs to decline and average 17.0 MMbbld this year.