News
Environmentalists Want California to Stop Offshore Fracking
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Environmentalists called on California Gov. Jerry Brown to halt plans for months of hydraulic fracturing in the waters off Southern California, warning that it could lead to chemical pollution or an oil spill. State regulators this month approved nine permits for operator Thums Long Beach Co. for so-called fracking operations between August and December in Long Beach Harbor.
Judge Orders Colorado Oilman to Pay $16.8 million in Legal Fees
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A Colorado oilman must pay $16.8 million to reimburse energy companies for legal fees they incurred defending his unsuccessful lawsuits against them, a federal judge has ordered. Jack Grynberg received national attention when he filed scores of lawsuits against natural gas and pipeline companies around the West in the late 1990s.
Russia Halts Gas Supply to Ukraine Amid Pricing Dispute
MOSCOW (AP) — The Russian gas company Gazprom halted supplies to neighboring Ukraine after the collapse of pricing talks, a company official said — but an EU official said the dispute would not affect the flow of Russian gas to Europe. Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller said Russia stopped deliveries at 10 a.m. because Ukraine didn't make an advance payment for July's gas. "Gazprom is not going to send gas to Ukraine at any price without the advance payment," Miller said in comments carried by Russian news agencies.
Sunoco Logistics Plans Pipeline to Marcus Hook
Sunoco Logistics Partners announced June 4 plans to build an additional pipeline to deliver Marcellus Shale products to Marcus Hook, reflecting a growing market for liquid fuels derived from the region's shale drilling. <em>The Philadelphia Inquirer reported</em> Sunoco Logistics said it intends to build two pipelines simultaneously as part of its Mariner East 2 project. The project, announced in November, is the second phase of a plan to move materials including propane, butane, and ethane from Appalachian shale-gas fields to the Marcus Hook Industrial Complex southwest of Philadelphia.
Analysis: Williams Takeover Bid Portends Moves to Come
In the wake of Energy Transfer Enterprises’ (ETE) thus far unsuccessful takeover bid of Williams Cos., some in the industry are predicting more of the same type of activity as cheap energy spurs stronger companies to look for less sound rivals to gobble up.
Indonesia Banking On Big Return to Oil, Gas
Indonesia, the most populous country in South East Asia, is trying hard to reshape its ailing energy industry as it seeks new investors in both its exploration and refining sectors to dramatically upgrade its energy capabilities. At a time when most new global investments in oil and gas projects have either been cancelled or postponed due to low oil prices, this latest move by Indonesia is a bold one. However, Indonesia’s poor infrastructure and difficult domestic regulatory environment have affected investment in the past, with only seven oil and gas contracts signed in 2014.
Ethanol Production May Be Approaching 'Blend Wall'
It’s onward and stubbornly upward for the U.S. ethanol industry, which shows little sign of slowing after a record year in 2014. Weekly ethanol production matched its record high in the first week of June, equaling output from the week ending December 19, 2014. At 992,000 bpd, production is up 20,000 bpd from last week and more than 100,000 bpd since the beginning of May.
Every Company Needs a Tailored Solution
Service companies of every sort are scattered throughout the oil, gas and utilities industries. Mosaic is a Washington state-based business that moves its offerings one step further: by using its industry experience and analytical insight to develop strategy and consulting, training and technology services that are specifically designed for each customer.
India Now Worlds 3rd Largest Importer of Crude
The country’s oil imports have steadily climbed along with its growing economy. India has surpassed Japan in terms of oil imports multiple times over the past few years, and could trade spots again. But while they duel it out in the short-term, the outlook is clear. India’s import dependence is rising fast and it will be one of the largest sources of demand growth for the foreseeable future. The International Energy Agency predicts that India will burn through 4.1 MMbpd in the second quarter of this year, edging out Japan’s 3.8 MMbpd.
Oil, Gas Operators Managing Risks When Energy Prices are Down
Today, let’s imagine that we are a company producing oil and gas in the Eagle Ford Shale, the Permian Basin, and the Denver-Julesburg Basin in Colorado. We own and operate well pads, pipelines flowing from wells to facilities treating those flows, and bigger pipelines which take our products to sales points and “ring the cash register.”
Natural Gas Glut Could Persist Short-Term
Oil is not the only energy source that is seeing a glut. Growing supplies of natural gas could soon result in a similar phenomenon. It was only a year and a half ago that the United States, and the northeast in particular, saw supplies dwindle to exceptionally low levels, forcing prices to temporarily spike. The Northeast experienced a freezing winter, leading to high levels of consumption as millions of people tried to keep warm. Natural gas storage levels plummeted to lows not seen in years.
Crude by Rail Boosts West Coast Supply as Regional Production Falls
While U.S. crude oil production increased by nearly 3.2 MMbpd from 2010 to 2014, production in the West Coast region decreased by 100,000 bpd, continuing a long-term decline, EIA data showed. With no major crude oil pipelines connecting the West Coast to other parts of the country, refineries on the West Coast adjusted by increasing imports of foreign crude oil, reaching an average of 1.1 MMbpd over the past five years.
Washington State to Review Shell Oil-By-Rail Project
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington state regulators say they'll work with Skagit County to conduct a full environmental review of a proposed oil-by-rail project at the Shell Puget Sound Refinery near Anacortes. Royal Dutch Shell wants to build a rail spur from existing railroad tracks to handle about 60,000 bpd, or about one mile-long train. The oil would be pumped from rail cars into storage tanks.
Williams Cos. Have Caught the Growth Train and Dont Want to Get Off
When Michael Grande was cutting his teeth as an energy analyst at Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, he thought the Tulsa, OK-based Williams Cos. Inc. a takeover target as its credit ratings were languishing below investment grade. That was 2007, though. Today, Grande, now director of S&P’s utilities and infrastructure group, has a different take on the company after watching it closely the past eight years.
Dominion Sues Virginia Landowners in Pipeline Feud
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Dominion Resources has filed lawsuits against 27 Virginia landowners it says haven't allowed surveyors to access their property for a proposed natural gas pipeline. Dominion announced Wednesday the lawsuits are the first of what could be more than 100 separate complaints filed against landowners Dominion says are legally obligated to allow surveyors to enter their properties, which are along the Atlantic Coast Pipeline's proposed route.
OPEC Keeps Oil Output Target on Hold, Predicts Low Prices
VIENNA (AP) — OPEC decided to keep its oil output target on hold Friday and predicted prices would remain low for the foreseeable future — good news for both for oil-hungry international industries and consumers at the gas pump. The cartel said its output level would remain at 30 million barrels a day despite the fact that prices were still low compared with a year ago. It left it to member states to restrain any overproduction, an acknowledgment of the cartel's inability to enforce its own limits as it struggles to control world supply and prices.
Natural Gas To Challenge Oils Monopoly as Transportation Fuel, IHS Study Says
A new study by business information provider IHS forecasts significant growth and value in the market for natural gas and LNG as a transportation fuel. The study, <em>LNG in Transportation: Challenging Oil’s Grip</em> showed that use of natural gas as a transportation fuel could displace more than 1.5 MMbpd of oil demand by 2030. A combination of drivers — environmental, technological and commercial — will lead to greater adoption of natural gas in transport, the study said. The highest level of adoption will be in high-fuel-consuming applications such as trucks and ships.
Opportunities Burning Bright for Natural Gas, AGA Chairman Says
At least for his new role as 2015 chairman of the American Gas Association Terry D. McCallister doesn’t have far to travel. The 59-year-old natural gas executive who is chairman and CEO of WGL Holdings and Washington Gas Light Co., the 165-year-old utility company that services the Potomac region, has plenty on his plate these days, as this interview found, so time is at a premium.
Government: House Leaders Sound Alarm over Slow Pipeline Safety Regulations
Key House members berated the federal pipeline safety agency in advance of upcoming efforts by Congress to reauthorize federal pipeline safety laws. Leaders of the House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials were harshly critical of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) for failing to complete numerous rulemakings stemming from the 2012 Pipeline Safety Act. Hearings in the subcommittee took place April 14. That unhappiness could result in more onerous safety regulations for natural gas transportation companies.
Wood Group CEO Puts Core Values to Work
Bob Keiller, CEO of Wood Group, knows that merely speaking of an organization’s core values is not even worth talking or writing about it unless you put it into practice. Even before he was named to head the global energy service company in November 2012 the native Scotsman has always made sure that any who works for him knows that THE core value in the energy industry starts with one word: safety. After all, if you’re a real people person, what is more important than ensuring that your employees work in the safest environment possible?
Big Bully Busicks Mantra: Know Safety, No Accidents
Nick “Big Bully” Busick knows something about safety. In fact, he knows a lot about safety. You don’t step into the ring against the likes of the legendary Abdullah the Butcher without knowing how to keep yourself safe or you won’t survive 10 seconds against someone like the 400-pound madman from Sudan, who has torn apart more than one opponent’s face with his teeth, a pencil or whatever his favorite foreign object of the moment happens to be.
Good Labor Hard to Find Especially if Price Slump Continues
Despite a recent bump in oil prices, the industry remains largely in retreat as large companies such as Marathon Oil, Apache and ConocoPhillips continue to announce plans to slash capital budgets. With the oil and gas industry already feeling the drain of skilled workers and executives leaving due to retirements, there is some fear a prolonged decline will hasten further departures of valued personnel. Layoffs throughout the oil patch have already surpassed the 100,000 mark worldwide, according to Bloomberg.
TransCanada Delays Energy East, Reviews Terminal Siting
TransCanada postponed the building of its Energy East pipeline project and decided against building a marine and associated tank terminal in Cacouna, Québec. The company said alternative terminal options are under review, and that Québec and New Brunswick refineries would continue to be connected directly to Energy East.
Road to NGVs Hopefully Paved with Good Inventions to Match Intentions
Even in the midst of an oil price crash globally, alternative fuels for transportation stimulate conversation at just about any business or public policy gathering, and increasingly natural gas has had a ringside seat for those discussions. In fact, even sustainability advocates who see zero-emission as the ultimate goal give the natural gas sector credit for creating more interest in alternative fuels, particularly among businesses.
In the News: Price Declines Lower Tax Revenues in Production States
The Energy Information Administration reported March 12 that the decline in spot oil prices in the last half of 2014 and first month of 2015 has reduced oil and natural gas production tax revenues in some of the largest oil- and natural gas-producing states.
EnLink Landman Follows A Family Tradition
Recently EnLink Midstream invited me out to West Texas to see my first pipeline spread – the Martin County Extension Pipeline. On the way to the line we stopped by the Deadwood gas plant where I met Chris Coleman, EnLink Midstream’s senior landman. He was amiable, genuine and welcoming, even letting me ride shotgun in his work truck, which I had to jump to get into. As we drove across the flat Texas land, kicking up a flurry of red dirt, he began telling me about his job.
Forget About Keystone XL Canadian Crude Is Coming
While Congress and the White House continue to wrangle over the Keystone XL pipeline extension, the oil industry is taking matters into its own hands. Markets are primed for an influx of Canadian crude oil, but with pipeline transport off the table for the foreseeable future, producers have built alternative modes to meet the demand. The problem is, recent disasters have soured legislators and environmentalists on road and rail for moving oil.
EnLink Landman Follows Family Tradition
Recently EnLink Midstream invited me out to West Texas to see my first pipeline spread – the Martin County Extension Pipeline. On the way to the line we stopped by the Deadwood gas plant where I met Chris Coleman, EnLink Midstream’s senior landman. He was amiable, genuine and welcoming, even letting me ride shotgun in his work truck, which I had to jump to get into. As we drove across the flat Texas land, kicking up a flurry of red dirt, he began telling me about his job.
Latest Price Shock Offers Some Midstream Bright Spots
The price of oil may have fallen to its lowest level in six years, but this “price shock” is different than the 2008-’09 variety, according to analysts at Pace Global. “The current low-price situation is likely to persist for several years unless geopolitical events shift the market psychology from one of surplus to one of shortage,” Jim Diemer, vice president and head Pace Global-Siemens’ Energy Consulting Company, told PG&J.
Lee Laviolette Brings Experience, Passion to Consulting
Everyone with the word manager in front of his name thinks they have the abilities needed to lead others in their organization. Lee J. Laviolette, managing director of the newly expanded energy practice for Navigant Consulting, has his own definition. It’s simple and it works. “Leadership of change is all about people. Only people can raise an organization's performance."
- Texas Waha Hub Gas Prices Plunge to Record Lows, Hit Negative Territory
- Williams Seeks Emergency Certificate to Operate $1 Billion Mid-Atlantic Gas Pipeline After Court Reversal
- Texas Oil Pipelines Near Max Capacity, Threatening Future Export Limits
- Energy Transfer Subsidiary Selects KTJV for Lake Charles LNG Export Project
- FERC Sides with Williams in Texas-Louisiana Pipeline Dispute with Energy Transfer
- Saudi Arabia Looking to Expand Pipeline to Reduce Oil Exports via Gulf
- Report: Houston Region Poised to Become a Global Clean Hydrogen Hub
- Texas Startup Endeavors Again to Build First Major U.S. Oil Refinery Since 1977
- Alaska Greenlights Enstar’s $57 Million Pipeline to Boost LNG Imports
- Texas Waha Hub Gas Prices Plunge to Record Lows, Hit Negative Territory
