Business Leaders Form Clean Fuels Michigan
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Nearly 30 companies and organizations in Michigan have formed Clean Fuels Michigan, an organization seeking to maintain the state’s position as a global leader in automotive manufacturing by advancing a clear vision, strategy, and advocacy for advanced powertrain technology and innovation. The overall goal is to promote investment, job growth, and sustainable technologies in Michigan.
Industry Veteran Harold Poland Joins NGL Energy Partners LP
Thursday, October 22, 2015
People PolandHarold Poland has joined NGL Energy Partners LP (Tulsa) as a retail business development consultant, assisting with the retail propane acquisition activities of the company. His emphasis will be on the Midwest and Western U.S. regions. Poland has 20 years of retail propane management experience with Skelgas; 12 years as U.S.
Several BP Energy Co. employees to retire this year
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Several members of the NGLs team at BP Energy Co. (Houston) will retire this year. Jill Hood, southeast propane marketer, held various roles with BP, including marketing, analytics, and scheduling. Ken McLeod, east propane marketer, has been actively involved with state and regional propane gas associations. Craig Whitley, global NGL analytics team leader, has been in the energy industry for almost 45 years, with five years at BP and 18 years at Purvin & Gertz.
Crestwood Transportation, LLC Adds To Senior Management Team
Thursday, October 22, 2015
The reorganization of Crestwood Transportation, LLC includes several new additions to its senior transportation management team. Stan Robinson, Crestwood LP’s director of safety & recruitment, was promoted to director, highway transportation compliance.
NEOgás Appoints R. Paul Grady New CEO
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
NEOgás, a global provider of natural gas logistics services to industrial and vehicle energy consumers without access to natural gas pipelines, has appointed R. Paul Grady as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer, effective October 1, 2015. NEOgás has operations in Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Columbia and the United States.
Paul Grady
U.S. Propane Inventories Decline 0.6 MMbbl
Thursday, September 24, 2015
U.S. propane stocks the week ended Sept. 18 decreased by 0.6 MMbbl to stand at 97.1 MMbbl, according to the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) “This Week in Petroleum” report published Sept. 23. As of the latest reporting period, inventories were 18 MMbbl, or 22.7%, higher than a year ago. Gulf Coast volumes fell 0.6 MMbbl, while the Midwest lost 0.3 MMbbl. Rocky Mountain/West Coast supplies gained 0.2 MMbbl and the East Coast rose 0.1 MMbbl.
Topping Off...
Thursday, September 24, 2015
…Northern Tier Energy LP (Tempe, Ariz.) said Sept. 17 that its St. Paul Park, Minn. refinery will be taking the No. 2 crude unit down for unplanned maintenance. As a result of the maintenance, Northern Tier expects crude oil throughput for the third quarter will average between 86,000 and 90,000 bbld…
Open Season Extended for Utica Marcellus Texas Pipeline
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Kinder Morgan Inc. (KMI; Houston) has extended the binding open season for its proposed Utica Marcellus Texas Pipeline (UMTP) project to review shipper comments and interest, as well as to solicit additional commitments. The project would transport natural gas liquids and condensate produced in the Utica and Marcellus basins to delivery points along the Texas Gulf Coast, including connecting to a Kinder Morgan dock located along the Houston Ship Channel.
Canadian Propane Inventories Climb 8.5% in August
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Canadian underground propane inventories in August grew 8.5% to record a month-over-month gain of 126.5 Mcm, according to the National Energy Board (NEB). As of Sept. 1, stocks stood at 1611.2 Mcm, the equivalent of 10.2 MMbbl. Compared to a year earlier, however, volumes were off 165.6 Mcm, or 9.3%.
Roush Develops Extended-Range Autogas Fuel Tank for Ford E-450
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Roush CleanTech (Livonia, Mich.) has developed an extended-range fuel tank for the Ford E-450 chassis that allows transit agencies to make fewer trips to the pump. With 64 usable gallons of propane autogas, the new tank holds 56% more fuel than the standard 41-usable-gallon tank option. Roush CleanTech expects most customers will purchase the new larger-sized tank since it provides more range in addition to higher fuel cost savings.
USDA Awards Grants to 21 States for Biofuel Infrastructure
Thursday, September 24, 2015
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) secretary Tom Vilsack said Sept. 10 that 21 states will receive grants through the agency’s Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership (BIP) to add infrastructure needed to supply more renewable fuel to U.S. drivers. Since inaugurating the program in May, the Agriculture Department’s Farm Service Agency received applications requesting more than $130 million, outpacing the $100 million that is available.
Study Outlines More Capacity For New England Natural Gas
Thursday, September 24, 2015
New Englanders could have saved about $3.7 billion in wholesale electricity costs during the 2013-2014 Polar Vortex winter had the proposed Northeast Energy District Project (NED) been in service, according to a study by ICF International (Fairfax, Va.) commissioned by Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. LLC, a Kinder Morgan Inc. (Houston) company.
Phillips 66, Spectra Energy to Strengthen DCP Midstream
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Houston-based Phillips 66 and Spectra Energy, 50/50 joint venture owners of DCP Midstream LLC (Denver), have signed a nonbinding letter of intent to contribute assets to strengthen DCP Midstream. The transaction is expected to provide DCP with a stronger balance sheet and increased financial flexibility, and position the company to grow through commodity price cycles.
Hammond Replaces Diesel School Buses with Autogas
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Twenty new school buses fueled by cleanburning, less-expensive propane autogas began operation with the new school year in Canada’s Parry Sound area on routes operated by Hammond Transportation (Bracebridge, Ont.). Family-owned Hammond has served Ontario’s school bus, charter bus, and motor coach needs in the Muskoka, Parry Sound, Simcoe, Haliburton, and Algonquin areas since 1944.
Michigan Propane Industry Rallies Against Natural Gas Expansion
Thursday, September 24, 2015
The Michigan Propane Gas Association (MPGA) is building support for its fight against state legislation that would allow natural gas service to expand into so called “unserved” or “underserved” areas using ratepayer funds, reports the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA). MPGA has launched a major grass-roots effort to hinder the progress of H.B. 4303.
U.S. Propane Stockpiles Reach All-Time Recorded High
Thursday, September 24, 2015
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that primary U.S. propane and propylene inventories reached 97.7 MMbbl as of Sept. 11, the highest level in the 22 years that EIA has collected weekly inventory statistics. In the first six months of 2015, propane and propylene stocks were 24.3 MMbbl higher on average compared to the same period in 2014. In the past year, nearly all of the increase in volumes occurred in the Gulf Coast region, PADD 3.
Mid-Month to Mid-Month: Propane Strengthens
Monday, September 21, 2015
The energy industry remained focused on the global glut of crude oil and refined products at press time, and increasingly below-breakeven production prices in a lower-demand environment. Forecasters were calling for the period of market imbalances to extend longer than expected.
Low Oil Prices Prompt Selloff
Monday, September 21, 2015
The collapse of oil and gas prices has forced French oil major Total to sell off assets in the North Sea to cut costs. Total, which has been operating in the U.K. since 1962, will offload some gas pipelines to U.S.-based private equity firm Arc Light Capital’s North Sea Midstream Partners in a £585-million deal. The deal includes the Frigg pipeline and Shetland Island Regional Gas Export System, as well as the St. Fergus gas terminal.
Fossil Fuel Reduction Cut From California Climate Bill
Monday, September 21, 2015
Legislation that would have required slashing California fossil fuel use under a measure before state legislators has been dropped from a key climate change bill. Gov. Jerry Brown and other lawmakers cut a major portion of the state’s plan to fight climate change and amend S.B. 350. The bill’s original markup called for a 50% reduction of petroleum-based fuels by 2030.
U.S. Propane Inventories Grow By 1.1 MMbbl
Monday, September 21, 2015
Primary U.S. propane stocks the week ended Sept. 11 increased by 1.1 MMbbl to reach 97.7 MMbbl, according to the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Sept. 16 “This Week in Petroleum” report. As of that reporting period, inventories stood 20.3 MMbbl, or 26.2%, higher than a year ago. East Coast, Midwest, and Rocky Mountain/West Coast volumes all rose by 0.3 MMbbl, while the Gulf Coast was 0.2 MMbbl higher, EIA said.
Enterprise Completes Second Segment of Aegis Ethane Pipeline
Monday, September 21, 2015
Enterprise Products Partners LP (Houston) has completed construction of the Beaumont, Texas to Lake Charles, La. segment of its Aegis pipeline, which is now ready to deliver ethane to additional Gulf Coast petrochemical facilities. The new 48-mile segment, along with the initial 60-mile segment currently in service, provides ethane supplies to petrochemical facilities between Mont Belvieu and Lake Charles.