As energy evolves, learning must continue: Platts and the CAP
It’s been over a year since Seth Clare joined Platts through the Commodity Associate Program. He shares his experiences in The Barrel blog.
Northwest heat wave leads to record levels of summer electricity demand
(Wed, 23 Aug 2017) Multiple record-breaking heat waves swept across the western United States this summer, with the latest occurring in the Pacific Northwest on August 1-4, 2017. Coincident with the hot weather, some of the largest electricity balancing authorities in the area experienced record high summer electricity demand on their systems.
How does IMO bunker fuel reform add up for consumers?
The shipping industry looks set to be shaken up by the International Maritime Organization’s decision to cut global bunker sulfur limits to 0.5% in 2020. Jack Jordan elaborates.
Revised Segregation 20 spec at LOOP to include Midland, Bakken crudes
The Louisiana Offshore Oil Port is marketing a revised specification for oil stored in one of its eight underground caverns. John-Laurent Tronche has the latest.
Mexicoâs shale-rich Burgos Basin opens to private investment for the first time
(Tue, 22 Aug 2017) In July 2017, Mexicoâs national energy ministry (SENER) opened the onshore portion of the Burgos Basin, a shale-rich basin in northeastern Mexico, for natural gas exploration and development by private companies. This is the first time non-state entities were offered access to the Burgos Basin for development since the creation of the national oil company Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX) in 1938.
Natural gas-fired electricity conversion efficiency grows as coal remains stable
(Mon, 21 Aug 2017) From 2006 to 2015, annual average heat rates of natural gas-fired electricity generators decreased 7% as heat rates of coal-fired electricity generators remained stable, increasing only 1%. Heat rates are calculated based on the amount of energy (measured in British thermal units) reported to EIA that was used to generate a unit of electricity.
The Danish and Turkish Straits are critical to Europeâs crude oil and petroleum trade
(Fri, 18 Aug 2017) The Danish Straits and Turkish Straits, together transited by a combined volume of more than 5 million barrels per day (b/d) in 2016, are important chokepoints for Europeâs crude oil and petroleum liquids supply. Nearly 59 million b/d of global petroleum and other liquids production moved on maritime routes in 2015.
Cheaper or greener: Colombia eyes US ethanol with trepidation
While American drivers may see the benefits of supplies from the most efficient ethanol producer on earth, meaning that the fuel in their car may be cheaper, for producers and farmers, lower prices are not always better.
U.S. gasoline production is running near record levels
(Thu, 17 Aug 2017) Gasoline production by U.S. refiners and blenders has run near record levels over the first seven months of 2017, with four-week rolling average production well above its five-year average and close to the top of its five-year range. U.S. gasoline inventories also remain relatively high despite growing domestic and foreign demand.
China’s supply-side reform roiling metals markets
Some commentators and participants still question the extent of China’s supply-side reforms, but the effects — or the perception of the effects — are undoubtedly reverberating throughout the global steel and metals market right now.