Face Off: U.S. and Middle East Compete for Asian LPG Market
Friday, December 15, 2017
(December 15, 2017) — Global trade of LPG, and more specifically propane, will change significantly over the next four years due to a supply surge, an export infrastructure buildout in North America, a growing surplus in the Middle East, and growing demand in Asia, forecasts ESAI Energy. The consultancy maintains that a snapshot of U.S. LPG exports by destination highlights that, until now, increased exports have owed predominantly to Asia, especially China. However, it argues in a new analysis that the era of easy growth for U.S.
Enbridge, State of Michigan Enter Agreement On Future of Line 5
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
(December 13, 2017) Enbridge Inc. (Calgary) recently entered into an agreement with the state of Michigan laying out a path forward for addressing the future of the company’s Line 5. The agreement increases collaboration and coordination between the state and Enbridge and contains key actions that move toward a long-term solution. Line 5 is a 645-mile, 30-in.-dia. pipeline that originates in Superior, Wis. and terminates in Sarnia, Ont. It transports as much as 540,000 bbld of light crude oil and natural gas liquids.
Pipeline Operators Applaud DOJ Pledge to Prosecute Vandalism
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
(December 11, 2017) The Association of Oil Pipe Lines (AOPL) is applauding a statement by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) pledging to prosecute protesters who damage energy infrastructure. Strong federal prosecutions will occur when individuals or groups vandalize oil and gas pipelines or other U.S. energy infrastructure. “This department is committed to vigorously prosecuting those who damage this critical energy infrastructure in violation of federal law,” a DOJ spokesman said.
Tribal RFP for Diesel Emissions Reduction Program (DERA)
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
(December 13, 2017) — The funding opportunity for tribal governments and Alaska native villages is open for eligible entities. EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality is soliciting proposals nationwide for Tribal projects that achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions in terms of tons of pollution produced by diesel engines and diesel emissions exposure, particularly from fleets located in areas designated as having poor air quality. EPA anticipates awarding $1.5 million in DERA grant funding under this announcement.
Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGCs) Cross Atlantic From U.S. Gulf
Monday, December 11, 2017
(December 11, 2017) — S&P Global Platts writes that flows of LPG from the U.S. Gulf Coast to Northwest Europe (NWE) are expected to reach about 148,000 metric tons—1.73 MMbbl—in the first two weeks of this month. Landed volumes over the course of November 2017 were about 188,000 metric tons, which included cargos delivered by two very large gas carriers (VLGCs). VLGCs crossing the Atlantic from the U.S.
Propane Council Announces Inaugural Green Leadership City Award
Monday, December 11, 2017
The Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces Department became the first recipient of the Propane Education & Research Council’s (PERC) inaugural Green Leadership City Award in November 2017. As part of the award designation, PERC donated $5000 to the Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade County. The donation was presented at an event at Southridge Park.
Construction Begins on 650-Mile EPIC NGL Y-Grade Pipeline
Monday, December 11, 2017
(December 11, 2017) — Construction has commenced on the first phase of the EPIC NGL Pipeline project. The 650-mile line will run from southeast New Mexico to Corpus Christi, Texas. When complete in early 2019, the EPIC NGL Pipeline will have throughput capacity of at least 375,000 bbld with multiple origin points in the Delaware and Midland basins.
Dead River Co. Acquires Breggy Oil Service Inc.
Monday, December 11, 2017
Portland, Maine (December 11, 2017) — Dead River Co. recently acquired 71-year-old, family-owned Breggy Oil Service Inc., located in South Portland, Maine. Details of the transaction were not released. The purchase is part of a growth initiative forwarded by Dead River president and CEO Deanna Sherman, whose family-owned company has itself been in business since 1909.
Completion Delayed For Mariner East II NGL Pipeline Project
Tuesday, November 21, 2017
(November 21, 2017) — Energy Transfer Partners (Philadelphia) may bring in a joint-venture partner for its Mariner East II NGL pipeline project, which has now been officially delayed until next year due to construction and regulatory hurdles, executives said in early November 2017, and as reported by S&P Global Platts.
Will West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Replace Brent Crude As Global Benchmark?
Monday, November 20, 2017
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) recently estimated that Brent crude, the global benchmark, will trade at an average $2.74/bbl premium to West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the U.S. benchmark, this year. However, a Denver drilling services company CEO believes Brent’s status as the world oil price benchmark is facing head-winds, reports S&P Global Platts.
Treasury Department Withdraws Regs That Made Gift Taxes More Expensive
Monday, November 20, 2017
(November 20, 2017) — In what the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is calling a victory for America’s family-owned small businesses, the U.S. Department of the Treasury has withdrawn regulations to Section 2704 that made estate or gift taxes more costly to family-owned businesses.
Latin American LPG Market Undergoing Transformation
Thursday, November 16, 2017
(November 16, 2017) — IHS Markit writes that the expansion of the Panama Canal, which now allows transport of greater, cheaper volumes of LPG, combined with the opening of the Mexican energy industry to private investment, has dramatically shifted the trade balance and altered how regional LPG companies must compete. LPG is a fuel used primarily for residential and commercial cooking and heating in Latin America and other regions, but also for feedstock in chemical production.
Interior Department Releases Energy Burden Report
Thursday, November 16, 2017
The U.S. Department of the Interior has released a “Review of the Department of the Interior Actions that Potentially Burden Domestic Energy” report, produced in response to President Trump’s Executive Order 13783. The report identifies agency actions that potentially burden the development or use of domestically produced energy resources, with particular attention to oil, natural gas, coal, and nuclear energy resources. Interior oversees U.S.
NGL Energy Partners to Sell Retail Propane Assets to DCC Dublin
Thursday, November 16, 2017
Delaware, MD (November 16, 2017) — NGL Energy Partners LP (Tulsa) has entered into a de nitive agreement with DCC LPG, a division of DCC Plc (Dublin, Ireland), to sell a portion of its retail propane business for $200 million in cash. NGL Energy Partners will retain the business through closing, scheduled for March 31, 2018, and will also retain all profits generated through the closing date.
PERC Names Recipients for 2017 Propane Leadership Awards
Monday, November 13, 2017
(November 13, 2017) — The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has named a Pennsylvania equipment dealer and a Louisiana landscape contractor as recipients of its second annual Propane Leadership Award. PERC presented the awards at the GIE+Expo in Louisville, Ky. to R.S. Hollinger & Son Inc. of Mountville, Pa. and Slidell, La.-based Rotolo Consulting Inc. (RCI). Brandt Martin of Rotolo Consulting and Lynn Hollinger of R.S. Hollinger received personalized Louisville Slugger baseball bats.
FERC Regains Ability to Certificate New Pipelines
Monday, November 6, 2017
(November 6, 2017) — The Energy Information Administration commented Oct. 30, 2017, that five new pipeline projects in the Northeast received approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in October, the first projects approved since February. FERC regained its quorum in August after the Senate confirmed two new commissioners.
IHS Study Finds U.S. Needs All Existing Power Generation Fuels
Wednesday, November 1, 2017
(November 1, 2017) — Following a report by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that determined a balanced and diverse set of resources was vital to the U.S. electrical power grid, a new study by IHS Markit and cosponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Energy Institute puts a price tag on how important the current balance of coal, natural gas, nuclear, and renewable energy is.
Tennessee Announces Propane Vehicle Grants
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
(October 31, 2017) — The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Office of Energy Programs has released a notice of intent to issue a second round of funding under the Tennessee Natural Gas and Propane Vehicle Grant Program. The program assists public, nonprofit, and private fleets based in the state with the purchase of natural gas- or propane-fueled vehicles.
Thune, Klobuchar Introduce Bill To Update EIA Supply Report
Saturday, October 28, 2017
(October 27, 2017) — U.S. Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) have introduced legislation sought by the propane industry to improve the accuracy, monitoring, and reporting of propane stocks and days of supply by the Energy Information Administration (EIA). The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) reports the bill would require, not later than 30 days after enactment, “that any data published relating to days of supply of propane inventories in the United States include a calculation of the volume of exports of propane.”
Rice University Scientists Produce Filter to Reclaim Fracturing Water
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
(October 24, 2017) — A new filter produced by Rice University scientists has proven able to remove more than 90% of hydrocarbons, bacteria, and particulates from contaminated water produced by hydraulic fracturing operations at shale oil and gas wells. The work, by Rice chemist Andrew Barron and colleagues, turns a ceramic membrane with microscale pores into a super-hydrophilic filter that “essentially eliminates” the common problem of fouling.
Propane People "In The News"
Friday, October 20, 2017
(November 24, 2017) — Cavagna North America Inc. (Somerset, N.J.) recently promoted two senior managers. Peter Dwyer has been named vice president of sales and business development of the LPG division, and David S. Ellis has been promoted to vice president of sales and business development of the Compressed Gas division.
North Dakota Natural Gas Output Hits Record High
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Argus Media reports that North Dakota’s natural gas production reached a record high in July 2017, tracking higher crude oil output. Gas production averaged 1.88 Bcfd, 1.3% higher from June and up 10.5% from July 2016, according to the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources.