RRC Commissioner Calls Attention to Anti-Hydraulic Fracturing Campaign
Friday, September 19, 2014
Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) commissioner David Porter has sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry questioning the extent the U.S. Department of State is enforcing sanctions against the financial arm of a Russian oil and gas monopoly, and thereby protecting U.S. interests. A bank affiliated with Gazprom has hired former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott and former Sen. John Breaux to lobby against U.S. sanctions.
COMMENTARY Most Postings Gain
Friday, September 19, 2014
Most principal postings strengthened even further Thursday, rising as little as a quarter cent but as much as 4.5 cents compared to the Monday email Update. However, two Midwest sellers shaved off a half cent and 0.75 cents, respectively. In the West, Los Angeles postings rose 3 cents over the week.
WSPA Highlights Expansion of California Cap-and-Trade Program
Friday, September 19, 2014
It is good to hear a public dialogue is occurring on the expansion of California’s cap-and-trade system coming Jan. 1, 2015, notes the Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA), when gasoline and diesel used by millions of consumers and businesses will be regulated for the first time under the state’s program. According to economic analysis by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the expansion of cap-and-trade will increase gasoline prices by as little as 4% and as much as 19%.
Canadian Propane Inventories Climb 21.8%
Friday, September 19, 2014
Canadian underground propane inventories jumped 21.8% in August to reach 1776.8 Mcm, the equivalent of 11.2 MMbbl, as of Sept. 1, according to the National Energy Board (NEB), which noted that stocks rose 317.8 Mcm month over month. Compared to a year earlier, Canada’s propane volumes stood 25% higher and were up by 355.4 Mcm, the agency reports.
BLM to Resume Issuing Leases Year
Friday, September 19, 2014
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will resume issuing oil and gas leases on federal lands in California next year after a study found relatively limited environmental impacts from hydraulic fracturing and other well-stimulation drilling techniques. With the release of the California Council on Science and Technology’s (CCST) independent science review, which BLM commissioned in September 2013, CCST will incorporate and expand the analysis and include a review of offshore and gas well stimulation.
API Welcomes Progress On Natural Gas Exports
Friday, September 19, 2014
The American Petroleum Institute (API) is welcoming final approval by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for exports of LNG from Cameron Parish, La. and Martin County, Fla, and is urging the Obama administration to accelerate the process for other projects.
Women in Propane Council To Present at World Forum
Monday, September 15, 2014
The Women in Propane Business Council (WIP) will cohost a discussion focused on the role of the World LP Gas Association (WLPGA) in the creation of a global network for women in the propane industry. The roundtable discussion will take place during the 27th World LP gas Forum and 29th AIGLP Congress on Wednesday,
Oct. 29 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Miami.
Video Highlights Benefits of Shale Impact Fees in Pennsylvania
Monday, September 15, 2014
The Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) has released a new online video highlighting the broad-based benefits being realized across Pennsylvania associated with shale impact fee tax revenues. The video, “Shale Impact Fee Benefits All of Pennsylvania,” features facts, figures, and examples of how the $630 million in impact fee tax revenue is boosting communities across the commonwealth’s 67 counties. The video may be downloaded at www.youtube.com/watch?v=apbzVoc-wcE.
Vantage Pipeline and Assets To Be Acquired by Pembina
Monday, September 15, 2014
Pembina Pipeline Corp. (Calgary) is acquiring the Vantage pipeline system and Mistral Midstream Inc.’s (Calgary) interest in the Saskatchewan Ethane Extraction Plant (SEEP) for a reported $650 million. The Vantage system, a 435-mile, 40,000-bbld, high-vapor-pressure pipeline originating in Tioga, N.D. and terminating near Empress, Alta., Canada, provides access to the Bakken play for future NGL opportunities.
Funding Available for Projects Cutting Transportation Emissions
Monday, September 15, 2014
The North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC) at North Carolina State University has issued a final request for proposals for more than $1.3 million in federal 2013-2015 funding. The funding is in the form of awards to governments, businesses, and/or nonprofit applicants for transportation technology related to emission-reduction projects. Guidelines and applications are available by clicking on “Incentives & Funding” at www.cleantransportation.org.
September 15 Topping Off ...
Monday, September 15, 2014
…ThompsonGas (Boonsboro, Md.) has acquired Gastonia, N.C.-based Ellco Industries and Little River LP Gas, formerly owned by the Nick Lowie family. The acquisition is the most recent in a series of purchases and marks the first move for ThompsonGas into North Carolina. The former Ellco Industries and Little River LP employees will join ThompsonGas...
Shell Gas Discovery in Utica Expands Sweet Spot
Monday, September 15, 2014
Shell Sept. 3 said new discovery wells in the Utica formation in Tioga County, Pa. extend the sweet spot beyond southeast Ohio and western Pennsylvania, where previous discoveries have been located, and into an area where Shell holds a major leasehold position of about 430,000 acres.
Railroads See Shipments Rise For Crude and Petroleum Products
Monday, September 15, 2014
The amount of crude oil and refined petroleum products moved by U.S railroads increased 9% during the first seven months of this year compared with the same period in 2013, reports the Energy Information Administration (EIA) citing data provided by the Association of American Railroads (AAR). In July, monthly average carloadings of oil and petroleum products were near 16,000 carloads a week, according to AAR. The increase in oil volumes transported by rail reflects rising U.S.
Kinder Morgan Hosts Binding Open Season for NGL Pipeline
Monday, September 15, 2014
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP (Houston) has launched a binding open season to solicit commitments for its Utica to Ontario Pipeline Access (UTOPIA) project, which will provide opportunities to transport ethane and ethane/propane mixtures from the Utica Shale area.
Propane Inventories Down Slightly
Monday, September 15, 2014
For the first time since the week ended March 21, U.S. propane inventories registered a decline for the most recent reporting period ended Sept. 5, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA) in its Sept. 10 “This Week in Petroleum” report. Though minimal, the 0.1-MMbbl dip interrupted a months-long spring/summer build. The current change still found stocks soaring above year-ago levels by 11.5 MMbbl for a 17.9% gain.
Global Market for LPG Seen Reaching $291.4 Billion by 2020
Monday, September 15, 2014
The global market for LPG is expected to reach more than $219.4 billion by 2020, according to a new study by San Francisco-based Grand View Research Inc. The report notes that growing government initiatives, mainly in China, India, South Africa, and Indonesia, to promote the application of LPG to replace coal as a cooking fuel has been one of the major factors driving global demand for the fuel.
Mont Belvieu Spots Harden, Conway Up Fractionally
Monday, September 15, 2014
Spot propane at Mont Belvieu built on its early-week gains Thursday and strengthened by another 1.125 to 1.25 cents compared to the Monday email Update. The late-week rise in values followed prices moving 1.875 to 2 cents higher early in the week. Conway spots, meanwhile, were little changed between the two reporting periods, although prices did move up a scant quarter cent. At the same time, Belvieu’s premium to the Midwest stretched out to 1.25 to 1.5 cents late in the week, up from about a half cent Monday.
COMMENTARY Postings Up Again
Monday, September 15, 2014
Principal postings continued their rise over the week, and by Thursday prices had climbed a minimum of a quarter cent to as much as 2.5 cents compared to the Monday email Update. A single seller’s Dixie Pipeline postings were unchanged from Monday.

Most postings on the Dixie at Apex, N.C. were a penny to 2.25 cents higher, shifting prices to a low of 118.75 cents and a high of 120.00 cents/gal. At Conway, Kan., postings gained a quarter cent to 1.25 cents, and prices were from 109.76 to 110.75 cents.
NPGA Adds Matt Bisenius To Its Legislative Team
Monday, September 15, 2014
Matthew Bisenius has joined the National Propane Gas Association’s legislative team. Most recently, Bisenius served for more than six years on U.S. Rep. James Sensenbrenner’s (R-Wis.) staff in various capacities, including as senior legislative assistant.

In that capacity, he handled the congressman’s energy and environment portfolio, important topics given Sensenbrenner’s senior position on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee.
API: Exports Magnify U.S. Economic, Diplomatic Strength
Monday, September 15, 2014
The American Petroleum Institute (API) comments that trade reports from the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) show American energy exports are revitalizing the economy and shifting the balance of power around the world. “Domestic oil and natural gas production helped drive record exports last year, and our ability to impact global markets continues to grow,” says John Felmy, API chief economist.
Tennessee Lawmaker Calls for Increased Offshore Development
Monday, September 15, 2014
U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) has signed a letter sent to U.S. Department of the Interior secretary Sally Jewell and co-signed by 21 Republican senators requesting that the department make all offshore oil and gas resources in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) available for oil and gas exploration and development. The letter, led by Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), requests that all offshore resources be in Interior’s five-year program.
Winnegabo Metro Link Offered With ICOM Autogas Option
Monday, September 8, 2014
Winnebago Industries Inc. (Forest City, Iowa) has launched a Go Green initiative for its Metro Link bus, joining with ICOM North America (New Hudson, Mich.) to offer bi-fuel and dedicated autogas systems for the entire lineup. The partnership will allow work-ready vehicles to be shipped directly from the factory to dealers and end users. Also offered are ICOM conversions for existing bus fleets.