How the Koch Brothers Are Killing Public Transit Projects Around the Country
In communities across the country, the billionaire conservatives are waging a sophisticated fight against new rail projects and bus routes.
Ethane production growth led to record U.S. natural gas plant liquids production in 2017
(Tue, 19 Jun 2018) U.S. natural gas plant liquids (NGPL) production has nearly doubled since 2010, outpacing the rate of natural gas production growth and setting an annual record of 3.7 million barrels per day (b/d) in 2017. NGPLs are produced at natural gas processing plants, which separate liquids from raw natural gas to produce pipeline-quality dry natural gas. Marketed natural gas includes both NGPLs and dry natural gas.
Adoption of autonomous vehicles could increase U.S. transportation energy consumption
(Mon, 18 Jun 2018) Autonomous vehicles are one of the main sources of uncertainty in the future of U.S. transportation energy consumption, as autonomous vehicle technology has the potential to change travel behavior, vehicle design, energy efficiency, and vehicle ownership. Analysis in EIAâs <em>Annual Energy Outlook 2018</em> (AEO2018) shows that the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles could increase overall light-duty vehicle travel and, depending on how those vehicles are powered, lead to slightly higher transportation energy consumption
The curious case of China’s missing trade data
The longer China delays publishing its detailed trade data for April, the more it is feeding speculation about the possible ulterior motives behind withholding the numbers, and hurting credibility.
EIA expects Brent crude prices will average $71 per barrel in 2018, $68 per barrel in 2019
(Fri, 15 Jun 2018) In the June 2018 update of its <em>Short-Term Energy Outlook</em> (STEO), EIA forecasts Brent crude oil prices will average $71 per barrel (b) in 2018 and $68/b in 2019. The updated 2019 forecast price is $2/b higher than in the May STEO. Brent crude oil spot prices averaged $77/b in May, an increase of $5/b from April and the highest monthly average price since November 2014. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) prices are forecast to average almost $7/b lower than Brent prices in 2018 and $6/b lower in 2019.
Commoditization underpins LNG demand, supply and pricing innovations
Attendance was greater than ever at the IATA Fuel Forum in London. Ease of location was no doubt a factor, with fuel procurement teams flying in to London from all over the world. However, another factor is the current robust health of the airline industry... for now at least.
Development of Alaskaâs ANWR would increase U.S. crude oil production after 2030
(Thu, 14 Jun 2018) In December 2017, the passage of Public Law 115-97 required the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to establish and administer a competitive oil and natural gas program for the leasing, development, production, and transportation of oil and natural gas in and from the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Previously, ANWR was effectively under a drilling moratorium. Three sensitivity cases in EIAâs <em>Annual Energy Outlook 2018</em> explore the effect of this law on U.S. crude oil production.
How much more metallurgical coal can China buy from the US?
The metallurgical coal market has been abuzz with chatter since reports last week of a $70 billion package proposed by China to narrow its significant trade deficit with the US.
Rise in U.S. exports of jet fuel driven by Latin American and Caribbean countries
(Wed, 13 Jun 2018) The United States exported 186,000 barrels per day (b/d) of jet fuel in 2017, the eleventh consecutive year of increasing gross jet fuel exports. Almost two-thirds (62%) of U.S. jet fuel exports went to countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, especially Mexico. Relatively high domestic production and a growing international aviation industry have established the United States as a net exporter of jet fuel for the seventh straight year.
Power marketers are increasing their share of U.S. retail electricity sales
(Tue, 12 Jun 2018) Competitive power marketers supplied about 21% of the retail electricity sold in the United States in 2016, up from 11% in 2005. The share of retail electricity sales of regulated investor-owned utilities fell from 62% in 2005 to 52% in 2016. This shift was driven by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which repealed the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 and closed the original federal regulatory structure established by New Deal-era legislation, which was a combination of public financial reforms and regulations in the 1930s.