RRC Commissioner Calls for Texas-Mexico Cooperation
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Railroad Commission of Texas Commissioner Christi Craddick has called for greater cooperation between Texas and Mexican energy officials. Craddick was speaking at a recent international roundtable on oil and gas development in Laredo, Texas. The discussion, hosted by U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) at Texas A&M University, included U.S. and Mexican officials.
Shale Gas Production Drives Product Analysis
Thursday, October 29, 2015
The inspection, sampling, and testing services organization Inspectorate is expanding its LPG testing capabilities in North America to meet an increasing market demand for the analysis of propane, butane, and other LPG products developed in areas where prominent crude supply and natural gas streams exist.
AHRI Applauds Advancement Of National Energy Bill
Thursday, October 29, 2015
The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) is applauding the House Energy & Commerce Committee for passage of H.R. 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act, an energy bill that includes technical corrections to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA). AHRI joined other HVAC industry groups supporting the legislation in a letter stating the legislation goes a long way toward modernizing and protecting U.S.
NPGA Solicits Input on Best Practices Document
Thursday, October 29, 2015
The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) is seeking comments on a newly released draft best practices document, made available at the association’s fall board meeting in New Orleans Oct. 4-6. NPGA has been working to develop a code of conduct for the industry, with the Executive Committee appointing a task force including industry leaders and state association representatives to carry out the work.
Southcross Completes Robstown Fractionator, Connects Pipeline
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Southcross Holdings LP (Dallas) has placed into service the second of two NGL fractionation trains at its Robstown fractionator near Corpus Christi, Texas, bringing total capacity to 63,000 bbld. The completion of Robstown, together with existing Southcross fractionation assets, provides the company with sufficient capacity to meet its current and projected growth needs for Y-grade produced at its natural gas processing complex.
U.S. Propane Exports Reach More Distant Global Markets
Thursday, October 29, 2015
The combination of significant U.S. propane production increases over the past seven years and relatively slow domestic demand growth has reversed historical trade positions, notes the Energy Information Administration (EIA). The U.S. has gone from being a net propane importer to a net exporter, facilitated by rapid expansion in export capacity of domestic supply. And propane exports from the U.S. are changing traditional propane market patterns across the globe.
Geopolitical Strife Pushes Prices Up
Thursday, October 22, 2015
In mid-October, oil prices were on course for the biggest weekly gain in six years as rising geopolitical tensions and signs of slowing output were bringing buyers back. Brent, the international crude benchmark, rallied by 12% to hit $54 (U.S.) per barrel, the highest since late August. U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate also surged, having gained 12.2% and moving above $50 per barrel for the first time since July.
Scientists Turn Oily Soil Into Reclaimed Fertile Ground
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Rice University scientists are cleaning soil contaminated by oil spills in a way that saves energy and reclaims the soil’s fertility. They use a process known as pyrolysis, which involves heating contaminated soils in the absence of oxygen. The approach is said to be much better for the environment than standard incineration techniques for fast remediation, said Rice environmental engineer Pedro Alvarez.
Formosa Petrochemical Studying $9.4-Billion U.S. Plant Investment
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Taiwan’s Formosa Petrochemical Corp. is studying the feasibility of constructing a $9.4-billion industrial complex in St. James Parish, La. The company would build two project phases to produce ethylene and other downstream chemical products. The final investment decision, expected by mid-2016, will determine the final capital investment figure for the project, under which Formosa would create 1200 new direct jobs with an average annual salary of $84,500.
West Coast Senators Seek Permanent Ban on Drilling
Thursday, October 22, 2015
A group of Democratic West Coast U.S. senators have introduced legislation to permanently prohibit offshore drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf off California, Oregon, and Washington. The West Coast Ocean Protection Act, by U.S. Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), and Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon), was first introduced in 2010.
Law Enforcement Fleets Receive Autogas Training
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Law enforcement alternative fuel training held recently at the Alliance AutoGas research and technology center in Asheville, N.C. gave county and municipal fleet managers the opportunity to learn more about the merits of propane autogas conversion.
Propane Market Expected to Reach $145.82 Billion By 2022
Thursday, October 22, 2015
The market intelligence company Transparency Market Research (Albany, N.Y.) forecasts that the global propane market will reach $145.82 billion by 2022. Research by the company finds that stringent environmental regulations and less reliable conventional gas sources are expected to be major growth drivers for the propane market in residential applications, which dominated the global propane market in 2013.
Alkane Truck Co. Introduces Line of Alternative Fuel Vehicles
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Alkane Truck Co. (Myrtle Beach, S.C.), a new original equipment manufacturer of propane and CNG alternative fuel commercial trucks, is offering Class 7 and 8 cab-over trucks. Alkane’s Class 7 trucks are offered in both 26,000 and 33,000 GVW weight classes. The power train is a Power Solutions International (Wood Dale, Ill.) 8.8-liter engine coupled with a 2500 Series Allison six-speed automatic transmission.
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.