A coalition of groups supportive of responsible resource development in Alaska and off its coast have launched a new broadcast, print, and digital advertising campaign calling on the Obama administration to keep intact the Arctic leasing areas currently contained in the Department of Interior’s draft proposed plan. The draft program, revealed in March, allows for the possibility of lease sales to be held for federally controlled tracts in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas.
The recent delivery of 16 alternative fuel buses to the Flint, Mich. Mass Transportation Agency signals the largest rollout of Blue Bird Corp.’s propane Vision buses for commercial use. According to Flint MTA, the new buses will cut costs, reduce emissions, and allow the agency to take advantage of a domestically produced fuel. Compared with the diesel buses they replaced, each new bus will reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 800 pounds a year and particulate matter by 35 pounds.
Starting with the Aug. 31 release of its Weekly Petroleum Status Report (WPSR), the Energy Information Administration (EIA) began publishing weekly petroleum export and consumption estimates. The estimates are based on near-real-time export data provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. EIA previously relied on weekly export estimates based on monthly official export data published by the U.S. Census Bureau roughly six weeks following the end of each reporting month.
The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) reports that data developed by IHS shows continued length in domestic propane inventory for September, with weekly estimates expected to outpace values seen in September 2015 and potentially setting a record for the month. The primary driver behind the growth in weekly stocks is a dramatic decline in propane exports due to low arbitrage economics in Asia, notes NPGA.
WASHINGTON, DC (September 26, 2016) – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued a final rule to amend the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to allow the voluntary mounting of certain devices on the interior of the windshields of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), including placement within the area that is swept by the windshield wipers.

 

Since the removal of the final significant restrictions on exporting U.S. crude oil in December 2015, the number of countries receiving exported crude from the nation has risen sharply, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said in August. These exports have occurred despite a sustained narrow price premium of international crude oil prices over U.S. domestic prices, the many costs associated with arranging cargos for export, and falling U.S. crude production.
Apache Corp. (Houston) has confirmed its discovery of a significant new resource play, the Alpine High, on acreage it owns in the southern portion of the Delaware Basin, primarily in Reeves County, Texas. The company estimates hydrocarbons in place are 75 Tcf of rich gas and 3 Bbbl of oil in the Barnett and Woodford formations alone. Apache also sees significant oil potential in the shallower Pennsylvanian, Bone Springs, and Wolfcamp formations.
Global oil demand growth is slowing at a faster pace than initially predicted, the newly released Oil Market Report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) tells subscribers. For 2016, a gain of 1.3 MMbbld is now expected, a downgrade of 0.1 MMbbld from the agency’s previous forecast due to a more pronounced third-quarter slowdown. Momentum eases further to 1.2 MMbbld in 2017 as underlying macroeconomic conditions remain uncertain.
Calgary-based Enbridge Inc. and Spectra Energy Corp. (Houston) have entered into a merger agreement under which the two companies will combine in a stock-for-stock transaction. The merger will create one of the largest energy infrastructure companies in North America with a value of about $127 billion. Enbridge president and CEO Al Monaco will serve as president and CEO of the combined company. Greg Ebel, Spectra president and CEO, will
With the Obama administration temporarily shutting down construction of one segment of the Dakota Access Pipeline, American Petroleum Institute president Jack Gerard and North America’s Building Trades Unions president Sean McGarvey are underscoring the benefits of increased energy infrastructure and the negative impact of administration action on the rule of law, American workers, and consumers.
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has launched Propane Equipment Dealer Point, an online search tool that allows commercial landscape contractors to find the nearest knowledgeable dealers of propane-powered mowers. Propane equipment dealers can also sign up—free of charge—to be listed as a propane equipment dealer on Dealer Point.
Invitations have been extended to propane industry members to play in Trinity Containers’ Golf Fore Education Tournament Oct. 1 at the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, N.C. The event precedes the start of the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) fall board of directors meeting. All proceeds benefit the National Propane Gas Foundation (NPGF) Scholarship Fund.
Pennsylvania’s natural gas production volume trended upward in 2015, according to the newly released Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) 2015 Oil and Gas Annual Report. In 2015, more than 4.6 Tcf of natural gas was produced in the Keystone State compared to about 1 Tcf in 2011. Currently, Pennsylvania is reported to be the second-largest supplier of natural gas in the nation.
Far from being threatened by recent weak prices, the status of the U.S. as an emerging energy superpower has solidified in 2016, weakening OPEC’s grip over the oil market along with Russia’s influence over Europe’s gas supplies, writes The National Interest magazine.
Phillips 66 Partners LP (Houston) has reached an agreement to acquire a natural gas liquids logistics system in southeast Louisiana from Chevron (San Ramon, Calif.). The system includes about 500 miles of pipelines and a storage cavern connecting multiple fractionation facilities, refineries, and a petrochemical facility.
Chicago, Illinois-based Energy Distribution Partners (“EDP”) is pleased to announce that Elizabeth (Beth) Autore and Michelle Roe have joined the company. Autore joins as General Manager for Autore Oil and Propane in Cedarville, Michigan, and Roe joins as General Manager for Shute Oil & Propane in Rudyard, Michigan. Both companies provide propane and other fuels to residential, commercial and agricultural customers in Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula.
Coloradans are reported to have likely gathered sufficient signatures to qualify two anti-hydraulic fracturing initiatives for the November ballot. One, Initiative 75, gives cities the authority to ban the 60-year-old wellstimulation practice, while the other, Initiative 78, would expand setbacks around hydraulic fracturing sites to at least 2500 feet.
Despite increases in crude oil prices since the start of the year, employment in oil and natural gas extraction and support activities continued declining from levels reached in the fall of 2014, just prior to the onset of falling oil prices, reports the Energy Information Administration (EIA). The total rig count, including both oil-directed and natural gas-directed rigs, has declined even more sharply—from nearly 1800 rigs in the fall of 2014 to a weekly low
The Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA), the American Exploration & Production Council (AXPC), and 47 additional U.S. oil and natural gas industry trade associations are urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to work with the industry on its recent information-gathering request, allowing for a better and more thorough understanding of oil and natural gas operations.
Inter Pipeline Ltd. (Calgary) said Aug. 8 it had entered into an agreement to acquire the shares of the Williams Co. Inc.’s and Williams Partners LP’s (Tulsa) Canadian natural gas liquids midstream businesses for a cash payout of $1.35 billion. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter and is subject to approval under the Competition Act and other customary closing conditions.
GENERATORS. Briggs & Stratton Corp. has introduced its premium line of Briggs & Stratton Fortress standby generator systems, which is replacing its GE Generator Systems line. The new models range in size from 10 kw to 60 kw, to fit a variety of needs. The Fortress line runs on propane or natural gas and comes with a six-year warranty on parts, labor, and travel.
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Safety consultant Eric Leskinen has joined P3 (Portsmouth, N.H.) as executive vice president. He will focus on product development and growing the consulting business within the firm’s propane sector.