Thursday 10 September 2015

Otmane El Rhazi : Crude oil swaps with Mexico could provide economic and environmental benefits

Otmane El Rhazi from Today in Energy.

U.S.-Mexico crude oil swaps approved last month by the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security will likely involve exchanges of U.S. light sweet crude for Mexican heavy sour crude that is already being exported to the United States. The swaps, which are provided for under regulations governing U.S. crude oil exports, are expected to be economically and environmentally beneficial because of differences in crude oil qualities as well as differences in each country's petroleum refineries

Wednesday 9 September 2015

Otmane El Rhazi : Saudi Arabia maintained crude oil market share in Asia in the first half of 2015

Otmane El Rhazi from Today in Energy.

In the first half of 2015, Saudi Arabia exported on average 4.4 million barrels per day (b/d) of crude oil to seven major trading partners in Asia, making up more than half of Saudi Arabia's total crude oil exports over that period. Even as global crude oil prices fell in 2014 and 2015, Saudi Arabia increased production and kept its export levels high, enabling it to maintain its market share in these countries. However, long-term trends within Saudi Arabia's energy sector may reduce its global crude oil market share.

Tuesday 8 September 2015

Otmane El Rhazi : Electric generator capacity factors vary widely across the world

Otmane El Rhazi from Today in Energy.

The technologies used to generate electricity are similar across regions of the world, but the pattern of use for those generating technologies can be significantly different. Analysis of electric generating plant utilization (measured by annual capacity factors, or the ratio of generation to capacity) over a five-year period shows a wide range of variability among fuel types and across world regions.

Friday 4 September 2015

Otmane El Rhazi : Gasoline prices in week before Labor Day lowest in 11 years

Otmane El Rhazi from Today in Energy.

The U.S. average retail price for regular gasoline was $2.51/gallon (g) on August 31, the lowest price for the Monday before Labor Day since 2004, and 95¢/g lower than the same time last year. Declines in crude oil prices are the main driver behind falling U.S. gasoline prices.

Thursday 3 September 2015

Otmane El Rhazi : Output per miner-hour rises as smaller coal mines close

Otmane El Rhazi from Today in Energy.

Coal mining productivity increased in 2013, averaging 5.5 short tons per miner hour, reversing a trend of declining productivity since at least 2000. Preliminary data from the Mine Safety and Health Administration indicate a further increase in 2014. Improved productivity at the largest mines, as well as the shrinking number of smaller coal mines, contributed to the rise in overall productivity.

Wednesday 2 September 2015

Otmane El Rhazi : Effects of removing U.S. crude export restrictions depend on price, resource assumptions

Otmane El Rhazi from Today in Energy.

A new study by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) on the potential implications of allowing more crude oil exports finds that effects on domestic crude oil production are key to determining the other effects of a policy change. Gasoline prices would be either unchanged or slightly reduced. Trade in crude oil and petroleum products would also be affected.

Tuesday 1 September 2015

Otmane El Rhazi : Alaska increases wind power capacity in utility- and distributed-scale projects

Otmane El Rhazi from Today in Energy.

Although wind power provided less than 3% of Alaska's electric power generation in 2014, Alaska's wind power capacity has increased 20-fold between 2007 and 2014, growing from 3 megawatts (MW) to 60 MW. This increase is notable in light of the challenges of installing and connecting large wind generators, specifically the high costs of expanding electricity transmission infrastructure in the least densely populated state.