U.S. Propane Exports Run At Record Summer High
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
(August 13, 2018) — The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), citing IHS Markit Waterborne, reports that as Middle East propane exports to Asia fell drastically in June, Asian buyers turned to the U.S. to meet their chemical-demand needs, leading to U.S. exports hitting record highs for the summer months and to a large revision of IHS Markit’s winter inventory outlook.
Representatives Introduce Bill To Address Backlog at FERC
Monday, August 13, 2018
As American natural gas production increases and demand for energy spikes around the world, the process at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to review the applications for construction of energy export terminals has been stymied by a shortage of highly specialized engineers, assert two members of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Energy Industry Critics Push Drilling Ban on November Ballot
Monday, August 13, 2018
Bloomberg reports that 2018 has been a banner year for Colorado’s shale drillers, but pumping oil and natural gas may be largely prohibited in the state if a November ballot initiative supported by industry critics is approved. Spurred by a fatal gas explosion last year, the initiative endangers output from one of the country’s most prolific plays. Meanwhile, the electoral contest for governor features an insurgent Democrat, U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, who has made his name in Colorado politics by bankrolling anti-hydraulic fracturing campaigns.
Permian Natural Gas Prices Fall as Production Grows
Monday, August 13, 2018
The natural gas spot price spread between the Permian Basin, as priced by the Waha Hub in western Texas and the U.S. national benchmark Henry Hub in Louisiana, has grown considerably in the past year, writes the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Natural gas prices at Waha are nearly a dollar per MMBtu lower than Henry Hub prices. This spread widened as the ability to transport the increased natural gas production in the Permian Basin in western Texas and southeastern New Mexico was constrained by existing pipeline capacity.
Report Says Michigan Does Not Need Line 5 for Propane Delivery
Friday, August 10, 2018
According to a report released by the National Wildlife Federation in late July and prepared by London Economics International LLC (LEI), Michigan’s Upper Peninsula does not need to use Enbridge Inc.’s (Calgary) Line 5 for its propane supply. The Upper Peninsula relies on Line 5 for significant volumes, but the report maintains Michigan can source propane exclusively by truck or rail for an estimated additional 5 cents/gal.
IEA Welcomes Increased Output From Saudi Arabia and Russia
Wednesday, August 8, 2018
The Paris-based International Energy Agency’s (IEA) latest oil market report lauds OPEC oil ministers’ and non-OPEC producers’ commitment to increase crude oil production. Noted is that while volume and timing remains to be seen, there are already indications that leading producers, particularly Saudi Arabia, its Gulf allies, and Russia, are ramping up output and production may reach record levels.
Enterprise to Build Offshore Crude Oil Export Terminal
Friday, August 3, 2018
Enterprise Products Partners LP (Houston) is planning to develop an offshore crude oil export terminal off the Texas Gulf Coast. The terminal will be capable of fully loading very large crude carriers (VLCCs), which have capacities of about 2 MMbbl and provide the most efficient and cost-effective solution to export crude oil to the largest international markets in Asia and Europe.
Consultancy Sees OPEC as Key Oil Supplier Through 2040
Friday, August 3, 2018
The global natural resources consultancy Wood Mackenzie sees OPEC maintaining its role as a key oil supplier through 2040, although output from non- OPEC producers will help ensure adequate supply in the years to 2030. In its Macro Oils Long-Term Outlook H1 2018 report, Wood Mackenzie says it expects the U.S. Lower 48 to enjoy continued growth through the medium term, with its crude and condensate production reaching a plateau of more than 11 MMbbld in the mid to late-2020s. Once the U.S.
ThompsonGas Acquires Midsouth Propane, Marks 4th Purchase This Year
Wednesday, August 1, 2018
ThompsonGas LLC (Frederick, Md.) said July 11 it had acquired Midsouth Propane, a marketer with operations in Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Details regarding the transaction were not released. The purchase marked the fourth acquisition for ThompsonGas this year. “Needless to say, we are excited to add Midsouth Propane to our operations in the South,” said Thompson- Gas CEO Jeff Kerns. “The Scott family has built a tremendous business and assembled a great team of employees to become a leading propane provider in their region.
Permian Basin Oil Production Seen Doubling Through 2023
Sunday, July 29, 2018
Oil production in the Permian Basin in West Texas and southeastern New Mexico, already a major force in global supply growth, will rise nearly 3 MMbbld by 2023—a level of growth exceeding most recent estimates, a new outlook by IHS Markit says. What the report describes as a “stunning” level of growth will comprise more than 60% of net global growth during that timeframe. Total oil production in the Permian will be 5.4 MMbbld in 2023, more than the total production of any OPEC member country other than Saudi Arabia.
Environmental Partnership Grows To More Than 40 Participants
Sunday, July 29, 2018
The Environmental Partnership organization has now grown more than 50% since its launch last December, with 43 companies from the oil and natural gas sector participating in the initiative, reports the American Petroleum Institute. Participants have committed to implementing environmental performance programs geared toward further reducing emissions, and annual reporting that will be compiled and released to the public.
Asia, Not U.S., to Shape Energy Demand for Foreseeable Future
Sunday, July 29, 2018
In the wake of the shale revolution, the U.S. is well on its way to becoming the world’s top oil and gas producer and a major exporter of both products. However, the U.S. will play second fiddle to the developing world, especially Asia, which will shape energy demand for the foreseeable future, according to experts at the Center for Energy Studies at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Coal Still Dominate U.S. Consumption
Sunday, July 29, 2018
Fossil fuels—petroleum, natural gas, and coal—have accounted for at least 80% of energy consumption in the U.S. for well over a century, notes the Energy Information Administration (EIA). However, the fossil fuel share of total energy consumption in 2017 was the lowest since 1902, at a little more than 80% as consumption decreased for the third consecutive year.
China Key Destination for Rising U.S. Energy Exports
Sunday, July 29, 2018
In recent years, as its domestic energy consumption has grown, China has become a more significant destination for U.S. energy exports, writes the Energy Information Administration (EIA). In particular, China has been among the largest importers of U.S. crude oil, propane, and liquefied natural gas.
PERC Releases Online Video Marking Autogas School Bus Milestone
Sunday, July 29, 2018
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) recently released a new video detailing the growth of propane autogas in the school transportation market to coincide with a significant milestone for the industry—the delivery of the 10,000th Blue Bird autogas school bus.
PERC releases new video about growth of propane autogas in school transportation market
ATA Sues Rhode Island Over Trucks-Only Toll Program
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
The American Trucking Associations (ATA), along with three motor carriers representing the industry, has petitioned a federal court to rule Rhode Island’s truck-only toll program is unconstitutional, arguing it discriminates against interstate trucking companies and impedes the flow of interstate commerce.
Natural Gas—Competitor and Ally Amid ‘Electrify Everything’ Movement
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
The fight against the OSHA crane rule, the Jones Act, extending Alternative Fuel Tax Credits and the DRIVE Safe Act were big Propane Days topics. While Propane Days is an excellent venue for lobbying Congress about these types of issues, there remain plenty of issues that are being dealt with at the state and local level that don’t get the billing the Propane Days topics do. Jeff Petrash, National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) vice president and general counsel, deals with many of these issues daily.
Schuyler County Legislature Withdraws Support for Project
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
The Schuyler County Legislature in New York is no longer supporting the proposed Finger Lakes LPG storage facility project, known as Stagecoach, local media report. The proposal by Crestwood Midstream Partners (Houston) calls for storage of propane in underground salt caverns. The full legislature unanimously approved a resolution withdrawing its backing, support it first issued in 2014 and again in 2016.
Argus Media: Fuel Thieves Develop Sophisticated Methods to Steal LPG
Sunday, July 15, 2018
Argus Media writes that fuel thieves in Mexico appear to have developed relatively sophisticated methods to steal LPG from trucks, moving beyond the relatively simple techniques needed for gasoline and diesel theft. Thieves are building and operating illegal transport trucks that are used to steal fuel, even from terminals and pipelines. Stolen LPG is sold to customers such as small LPG-fueled public passenger bus services, says Octavio Perez, president of the LPG distribution
industry group Amexgas.
EIA Data Indicates Inventory Growth Outpacing Last Year
Sunday, July 15, 2018
The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) reports that data it is monitoring from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows first-quarter 2018 propane exports were lower than a year earlier. But in spite of lower exports, the U.S. entered the summer months with stock levels lower than a year ago.
Epic Midstream Completes Phase 2 of 700-Mile NGL Pipeline
Sunday, July 15, 2018
Epic Midstream Holdings LP (San Antonio, Texas) said June 27 it had completed Phase 2 construction on its Epic Natural Gas Liquids Pipeline. The line, when completed, will run from the Permian Basin to Corpus Christi, Texas. Epic reports that 205 miles of the 700-mile pipeline is in operation between DLK Black River Midstream’s plant in the Permian and Benedum, Texas.
Meridian Energy Group Receives Permit to Construct Davis Refinery
Monday, July 2, 2018
Meridian Energy Group Inc. (Irvine, Calif.) said June 13, that the North Dakota Department of Health’s (NDDoH) Air Quality Division had issued a construction permit for the company’s Davis refinery. Issuance of the permit came 18 months after the initial application filing and is based on a thorough review of the application documents and a three-month review of comments received during a 45-day public comment period.