Power wanes for South Africa’s ANC
The battle over South Africa’s Mining Charter highlights a lack of confidence in government. Neil Ford explains in his latest blog post.
U.S. crude oil exports went to more destinations in 2016
(Tue, 28 Mar 2017) In 2016, U.S. crude oil exports averaged 520,000 barrels per day (b/d), 55,000 b/d (12%) above the 2015 level, despite a year-over-year decline in domestic crude oil production. Even though oil exports have increased, growth in U.S. crude oil exports has slowed significantly from its pace from 2013 to 2015, when annual U.S. crude oil production grew rapidly.
Growing global liquefied natural gas trade could support market hub development in Asia
(Mon, 27 Mar 2017) Asia is the worldâs largest consumer of liquefied natural gas (LNG), accounting for three-quarters of global LNG trade and one-third of total global natural gas trade. However, the region lacks a pricing benchmark that can reliably reflect supply and demand changes in Asiaâs natural gas markets.
Maryland increases renewable portfolio standard target to 25% by 2020
(Fri, 24 Mar 2017) This February, Maryland increased the renewables generation target in its renewable portfolio standard (RPS) to 25% of retail electricity sales by 2020, replacing the earlier target of 20% by 2022. The change occurred as legislators in both houses of the stateâs General Assembly voted to override the governorâs veto of legislation they had first passed in 2016
Brazil has the third-largest electricity sector in the Americas
(Thu, 23 Mar 2017) Brazil generates the third-highest amount of electricity in the Americas, behind only the United States and Canada. In 2016, Brazil had an installed generating capacity of 137 gigawatts (GW) and generated 560 billion kilowatt hours of electricity.
Precipitation and snowpack in California expected to increase hydro generation in 2017
(Wed, 22 Mar 2017) For the first time since 2011, Californiaâs drought is significantly weakeningâa result of one of the wettest winters on record.
Container Index Revolution: Is it the time to embrace price transparency?
Over 2000 container industry players descended upon TPM at Long Beach, end February, where one key theme I took away was the hesitancy to embrace price transparency.
U.S. biomass-based diesel imports increase 65%, set new record in 2016
(Tue, 21 Mar 2017) U.S. imports of biomass-based diesel, which include biodiesel and renewable diesel, increased by 65% in 2016 to reach a record level of 916 million gallons.
United Arab Emirates Country Analysis Brief
(Tue, 21 Mar 2017) The United Arab Emirates is the seventh-largest petroleum producer in the world and a major exporter of hydrocarbons. The likelihood of further major oil discoveries is low, but the UAE uses enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques to increase the extraction rates of the countryâs mature oil and natural gas fields.
Despite growth late in the year, U.S. crude oil production decreased in 2016
(Mon, 20 Mar 2017) Despite increasing crude oil prices throughout most of 2016, total U.S. crude oil production in 2016 was below its 2015 level. However, monthly production began growing in the fourth quarter of the year after declining over the first three quarters.