Russia's oil, gas drift to the East gaining momentum
Following numerous Russia-Asia economic events this spring, our editors assess the prospects of oil and gas cooperation with investors from several Asian countries.
What lies ahead for European biofuels in a post-2020 world?
With EU legislation laying out requirements for renewable energy in road transport up until 2020, we consider expectations for a post-2020 world and how first generation biofuels might stand up.
Fires near Fort McMurray are reducing Canada's oil sands production
(Wed, 08 Jun 2016) While evacuees from the ongoing fires in Fort McMurray have begun to return to the city, a state of emergency remains in place throughout Alberta, Canada, and the temporary shutdown of the area's oil sands production sites continues. EIA estimates that disruptions to oil production averaged about 0.8 million barrels per day (b/d) in May, with a daily peak of more than 1.1 million b/d. Although projects are slowly restarting as fires subside, it may take weeks for production to return to previous levels. EIA expects disruptions to average 400,000 b/d in June.
Are OPEC crude output ceilings, quotas a thing of the past?
The June 2 OPEC meeting in Vienna ended with no agreement to restrict crude oil output, raising questions about whether the organization will ever return to output ceilings and quotas.
Technology forged during downturn preps oil industry for upturn
Starr Spencer on how upstream operators have masterfully used the current downcycle to prepare for the years ahead.
European aluminum alloy prices edge up $11/mt after Q3 buying
Market prices for 226, Europe's key grade of aluminum alloy, have edged up this week by around Eur10/mt ($11/mt) following an intense round of third-quarter buying over the past two weeks.
OPEC search continues for mechanisms to bring balance to oil markets
Now that the breaking news is winding down, Capitol Crude analyzes what the June 2 OPEC meeting means for the global oil market, US policymakers and US
crude producers.
Most natural gas production growth is expected to come from shale gas and tight oil plays
(Mon, 06 Jun 2016) The growth in total U.S. dry natural gas production projected in the Annual Energy Outlook 2016 (AEO2016) Reference case results mostly from increased development of shale gas and tight oil plays. Natural gas resources in tight sandstone and carbonate formations (often referred to as tight gas) also contribute to the growth to a lesser extent, while production from other sources of natural gas such as offshore, Alaska, and coalbed methane remains relatively steady or declines.
EIA publishes construction cost information for electric power generators
(Mon, 06 Jun 2016) Many factors influence the economic competitiveness of electricity generation technologies; however, two fundamental factors are the cost of constructing generators and the cost of operating them. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) recently began collecting construction costs for new electric generators at utility-scale power plants. The publication released today covers generators installed in 2013 and includes average costs by technology type or region.
EIA Publishes Construction Costs for Electric Generators
(Mon, 06 Jun 2016) Average construction costs on a dollars-per-kilowatt ($/kW) basis by energy source, prime mover, and Census region. Generator capacity, number of generators, and number of plants. Costs for certain technology types and energy sources by prime mover and other design attributes.