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.
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.