U.S. crude oil and natural gas production increased in 2017, with fewer wells

(Wed, 14 Nov 2018) The total number of wells producing crude oil and natural gas in the United States fell to 991,000 in 2017, down from a peak of 1,039,000 wells in 2014. This recent decline in the number of wells reflects advances in technology and drilling techniques. EIA’s updated <em>U.S. Oil and Natural Gas Wells by Production Rate</em> report shows how daily production rates of individual wells contributed to U.S. total crude oil and natural gas production in 2017.

Water withdrawals by U.S. power plants have been declining

(Fri, 09 Nov 2018) Water withdrawals by U.S. thermoelectric power plants reached 52.8 trillion gallons in 2017, continuing a decline in withdrawal volumes since 2014. The water intensity of total U.S power generation—the average amount of water withdrawn per unit of total net electricity generated—fell from 15.1 gallons per kilowatthour in 2014 to 13.0 gallons per kilowatthour in 2017.

Electricity residential retail choice participation has declined since 2014 peak

(Thu, 08 Nov 2018) In states with residential retail choice programs, customers can elect to purchase their electricity directly from their choice of energy suppliers, with the electricity delivered to them by their local utility. The number of customers participating in retail choice programs peaked at 17.2 million customers (13% of total residential customers) in 2014 and has since declined, reaching 16.2 million customers (12% of the national total) in 2016 and 16.7 million customers (13% of the national total) in 2017.

Winter begins with higher U.S. heating oil and propane prices

(Tue, 06 Nov 2018) U.S. residential heating oil and propane prices at the start of the 2018–2019 winter heating season were 23% and 4% higher, respectively, than at the start of the last heating season. During the winter months (October–March), EIA conducts weekly surveys of residential heating oil and propane prices for many states through the <em>State Heating Oil and Propane Program</em> (SHOPP).

U.S. monthly crude oil production exceeds 11 million barrels per day in August

(Thu, 01 Nov 2018) U.S. crude oil production reached 11.3 million barrels per day (b/d) in August 2018, according to EIA’s latest <Petroleum Supply Monthly>, up from 10.9 million b/d in July. This is the first time that monthly U.S. production levels surpassed 11 million b/d. U.S. crude oil production exceeded the Russian Ministry of Energy’s estimated August production of 11.2 million b/d, making the United States the leading crude oil producer in the world.

New England’s competitive electricity markets lead to less price volatility

(Wed, 31 Oct 2018) Of the six states that comprise New England, all but Vermont have deregulated electricity markets that allow customers to choose among competitive suppliers to provide their electricity. Retail electricity prices paid by customers in New England who choose a competitive supplier are much less volatile than wholesale electricity prices, but temporary increases in competitive retail electricity prices occur at about the same time as the largest increases in wholesale electricity prices.

Resumption of Iran sanctions adds uncertainty to crude oil and gasoline price forecasts

(Wed, 24 Oct 2018) EIA’s October 2018 <em>Short-Term Energy Outlook</em> (STEO) forecasts Brent crude oil spot prices, which averaged $79 per barrel (b) in September, to average $81/b in the fourth quarter of 2018, before falling to an average of $75/b in 2019. However, the effects of the U.S. withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the re-imposition of sanctions on Iran, and the potential response from members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other countries pose significant uncertainty to the forecast.

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