Expect Environmental Battles to Be ‘Even More Significant’ in 2018
The Trump administration offered grand pronouncements about environmental deregulation in 2017. But this is the year to hammer out the details.
Cold weather, higher exports result in record natural gas demand
(Fri, 05 Jan 2018) Estimated U.S. natural gas demand on January 1, 2018 reached 150.7 billion cubic feet, surpassing the previous single-day record set in 2014, according to estimates from PointLogic. Much colder-than-normal temperatures across much of the United States have led to increased demand for heating, much of which is provided by natural gas.
Northeastern Winter Energy Alert
(Fri, 05 Jan 2018) Sustained cold weather and high natural gas consumption pushing up spot natural gas and electricity prices.
USDA Offers Food Safety Tips for Areas Affected by East Coast Winter Storm
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing food safety recommendations for those who may be impacted by a major winter storm on the East Coast.
LOOP Sour becomes heavier, more sour for December: In The LOOP
The US crude blend LOOP Sour was heavier and more sour in December, with about 52% of imported barrels consisting of heavy sour grades.
U.S. gasoline prices increased in 2017
(Thu, 04 Jan 2018) Crude oil prices ended 2017 at $60/barrel (b), the highest end-of-year price since 2013. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices averaged $51/b in 2017, up $7/b from the 2016 average, and ended the year $6/b higher than at the end of 2016. Brent prices have moved up $10/b since the end of 2016 and ended the year at $65/b, widening the Brent-WTI spread to $5/b at the end of the year, the largest difference since 2013.
A Literary Journey Underground
Three books delve into mass transit and the creation of the subway.
The Case for the Subway
It built the city. Now, no matter the cost — at least $100 billion — the city must rebuild it to survive.
China’s Ambitious New ‘Port’: Landlocked Kazakhstan
In a wilderness of frozen desert, China and Kazakhstan are reviving a Silk Road land bridge between Asia and Europe, reshaping trade and geopolitics.
Crude oil prices increased in 2017, and Brent-WTI spread widened
(Wed, 03 Jan 2018) Crude oil prices ended 2017 at the highest levels since 2013. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices averaged $51/b in 2017, up $7/b from the 2016 average, and ended the year at $60/b, $6/b higher than at the end of 2016. Brent prices have moved up $10/b since the end of 2016 and ended the year at $65/b, widening the Brent-WTI spread to $5/b at the end of the year, the largest difference since 2013.