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.
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.