BATA Adds Cost-Efficient Propane Buses to Fleet
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Michigan’s Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) has added five propane-fueled vehicles to its fleet. BATA’s new propane-powered buses have multiple benefits that will help make its vehicle fleet more environmentally friendly and save on fuel and maintenance costs in the long run.
Propane Mower Incentives Back Just in Time for Buying Season
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has reopened online applications for its Propane Mower Incentive Program. Since it began in 2012, the program has helped commercial propane mower operators save up to $1000 on the purchase of a new unit, which doesn’t factor in the long-term benefits of using propane.
EIA Projects Higher Household Heating Fuel Costs this Winter
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) is projecting average U.S. household expenditures for natural gas, fueloil, electricity, and propane will increase this winter—Oct. 1 through March 31—compared with last winter.
Updated Forecast Implies Slower Path to Global Oil Market Balance
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) October Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) indicates that oil market conditions are somewhat looser by the end of 2017 than previously projected. Although the annual average spot prices for West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent are similar across the current and previous outlooks, quarterly WTI and Brent spot prices were revised more significantly.
Chinese Propane Imports Seen Rising With 2 PDH Startups
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Chinese propane imports are likely to climb faster in the fourth quarter owing to the expected startup of two new propane dehydrogenation (PDH) plants, Platts reports. Commissioning of the facilities is seen as giving a much-needed boost to the recovering LPG market in Asia.
San Diego MTS Introduces Propane-Fueled Transit Buses
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
In another step forward to reduce regional air pollution, the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) has rolled out the first of 77 buses powered by clean propane at its Copley Park facility. The buses are the first propane-fueled buses in San Diego’s transit fleet and are estimated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by two million pounds per year.
Ozark County LPG Gas Co. Acquired by MFA Oil Co.
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
MFA Oil Co. (Columbia, Mo.) has acquired Ozark County LP Gas Co. Inc., a propane retailer with offices in Gainesville, Mo. and Mountain Home, Ark. Details of the transaction were not released. Ozark County LP Gas has primarily served the propane needs of residential customers in south-central Missouri and north-central Arkansas for more than 50 years.
People in the News
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Allison Platz has been hired as an assistant for Arro Autogas, the propane autogas division of Delta Liquid Energy (Paso Robles, Calif.). Platz is the great-granddaughter of the late Harry and Iva Platz, Delta Liquid Energy co-founders, and is the first fourth-generation family member to join the company.
People Platz
FMCSA Issues Final Rule on Windshield-Mounted Technology
Friday, October 7, 2016
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued a final rule to amend the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations to allow the voluntary mounting of certain devices on the interior of windshields of commercial motor vehicles, including placement within the area that is swept by windshield wipers on the exterior.
U.S. a Major Importer and Exporter of Motor Gasoline
Friday, October 7, 2016
The U.S. simultaneously imports and exports gasoline because of regional differences in gasoline supply and demand balances, reports the Energy Information Administration (EIA). The two regions with the largest supply and demand imbalances are the East Coast, which imported 581,000 bbld of gasoline in 2015, and the Gulf Coast, which exported 551,000 bbld in 2015.
Hydrocarbon Production in Utica Play Targeting Gas-Rich Areas
Thursday, October 6, 2016
Production of oil and natural gas in the Appalachian Basin’s Utica play, which includes both the Utica and Point Pleasant formations, has increased significantly since 2012, reports the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Monthly natural gas from Utica wells increased from 0.1 Bcfd in December 2013 to more than 3.5 Bcfd in June 2016. Oil production increased from 4400 bbld to nearly 76,000 bbld over the same period.
Mexico Poised to Open Shale Fields to U.S. Drillers Next Year
Thursday, October 6, 2016
Mexico’s secretary of energy says the nation could open its vast shale fields to U.S. drillers as early as next year. Pedro Joaquin Coldwell, speaking Sept. 23 at Rice University in Houston, said long-delayed auctions for shale
fields in northern Mexico could begin in the first quarter of 2017, adding that final preparations should be completed by March.
EIA Providing Estimates of Drilled But Uncompleted Wells by Region
Thursday, October 6, 2016
Starting in September, the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Drilling Productivity Report (DPR) began including estimates of the number of drilled but uncompleted wells (DUCs) in the seven DPR regions. Estimates will go through the prior month. The September DPR includes estimates through August.
Outlook Positive for U.S. NGL Production and Exports
Thursday, October 6, 2016
As outlined by Wells Fargo Securities, and with the arrival of the first ethane shipment from Enterprise Products Partners’ terminal in Morgan’s Point, Texas, Oil & Gas 360 reports that total U.S. NGL supply averaged 4,509,000 bbld in May 2016, representing a 10.6% increase from the prior year. NGL production from natural gas processing accounted for 82% of supply while imports and refinery outputs accounted for 3% and 15%, respectively.
API Emphasizes Energy Ahead Of First Presidential Debate
Thursday, October 6, 2016
American Petroleum Institute (API) president and CEO Jack Gerard highlighted the importance of American energy ahead of the first presidential debate Sept. 26. Gerard noted that the debate was scheduled to focus on securing America, achieving prosperity, and America’s direction. He asserted that a conversation about any of those topics cannot occur without including the U.S. energy sector and, in particular, U.S. oil and natural gas.
Arctic Coalition Launches Effort in Support of Energy Development
Thursday, September 29, 2016
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.
Flint Transit Order Marks Largest Commercial Rollout
Thursday, September 29, 2016
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.
EIA Using Near-Real-Time Export Data to Improve Weekly Report
Thursday, September 29, 2016
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.
NPGA: September Propane Inventory Shows Length and Outpaces 2015
Thursday, September 29, 2016
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.