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
Thursday 10 September 2015
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Monday 31 August 2015
Otmane El Rhazi : EIA improves monthly reporting of crude oil production
Otmane El Rhazi from Today in Energy.
With the planned release of the Petroleum Supply Monthly (PSM) later today, EIA is incorporating the first survey-based reporting of monthly crude oil production based on an expansion of its survey program earlier this year. Today's PSM includes EIA's first reporting of June crude oil production. EIA also begins using new survey data from multiple states and regions within the United States, and revises figures previously reported for January through May 2015.
With the planned release of the Petroleum Supply Monthly (PSM) later today, EIA is incorporating the first survey-based reporting of monthly crude oil production based on an expansion of its survey program earlier this year. Today's PSM includes EIA's first reporting of June crude oil production. EIA also begins using new survey data from multiple states and regions within the United States, and revises figures previously reported for January through May 2015.
Friday 28 August 2015
Otmane El Rhazi : Reduced offshore share in U.S. oil and natural gas production lowers risk from hurricanes
Otmane El Rhazi from Today in Energy.
The domestic market for distributed wind turbines has weakened since the record capacity additions in 2012. Last year's installations of mid-size and small wind turbines were the lowest in a decade. Relatively low electricity prices, competition from other distributed energy sources, and relatively high permitting and other nonmaterial costs have presented challenges to the distributed wind market in the United States.
The domestic market for distributed wind turbines has weakened since the record capacity additions in 2012. Last year's installations of mid-size and small wind turbines were the lowest in a decade. Relatively low electricity prices, competition from other distributed energy sources, and relatively high permitting and other nonmaterial costs have presented challenges to the distributed wind market in the United States.
Thursday 27 August 2015
Otmane El Rhazi : Domestic market for distributed wind turbines faces several challenges
Otmane El Rhazi from Today in Energy.
The domestic market for distributed wind turbines has weakened since the record capacity additions in 2012. Last year's installations of mid-size and small wind turbines were the lowest in a decade. Relatively low electricity prices, competition from other distributed energy sources, and relatively high permitting and other nonmaterial costs have presented challenges to the distributed wind market in the United States.
The domestic market for distributed wind turbines has weakened since the record capacity additions in 2012. Last year's installations of mid-size and small wind turbines were the lowest in a decade. Relatively low electricity prices, competition from other distributed energy sources, and relatively high permitting and other nonmaterial costs have presented challenges to the distributed wind market in the United States.
Wednesday 26 August 2015
Otmane El Rhazi : EIA expects near-term decline in natural gas production in major shale regions
Otmane El Rhazi from Today in Energy.
Natural gas production across all major shale regions in EIA's Drilling Productivity Report is projected to decrease for the first time in September. Production from these seven shale regions reached a high in May at 45.6 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) and is expected to decline to 44.9 Bcf/d in September. In each region, production from new wells is not large enough to offset production declines from existing, legacy wells.
Natural gas production across all major shale regions in EIA's Drilling Productivity Report is projected to decrease for the first time in September. Production from these seven shale regions reached a high in May at 45.6 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) and is expected to decline to 44.9 Bcf/d in September. In each region, production from new wells is not large enough to offset production declines from existing, legacy wells.
Tuesday 25 August 2015
Otmane El Rhazi : India's coal industry in flux as government sets ambitious coal production targets
Otmane El Rhazi from Today in Energy.
Coal consumption in India, particularly in the electric power sector, is outpacing India's domestic production. From 2005 to 2012, India's coal production grew by only 4.7% per year to about 600 million metric tons while the country's coal-fired electric power capacity grew by a much faster rate, reaching 150 gigawatts. To help resolve the shortfall in coal supply, India has set a coal production target of 1.5 billion metric tons by 2020.
Coal consumption in India, particularly in the electric power sector, is outpacing India's domestic production. From 2005 to 2012, India's coal production grew by only 4.7% per year to about 600 million metric tons while the country's coal-fired electric power capacity grew by a much faster rate, reaching 150 gigawatts. To help resolve the shortfall in coal supply, India has set a coal production target of 1.5 billion metric tons by 2020.
Monday 24 August 2015
Otmane El Rhazi : Growing global liquids inventories reflect lower crude oil prices
Otmane El Rhazi from Today in Energy.
Continued growth in global production of petroleum and other liquids has outpaced consumption growth since August 2014, resulting in rising global liquids stocks. Total global liquids inventories are estimated to have grown by 2.3 million barrels per day through the first seven months of 2015, the highest level of inventory builds through July of any year since 1998, putting significant downward pressure on near-term crude oil prices.
Continued growth in global production of petroleum and other liquids has outpaced consumption growth since August 2014, resulting in rising global liquids stocks. Total global liquids inventories are estimated to have grown by 2.3 million barrels per day through the first seven months of 2015, the highest level of inventory builds through July of any year since 1998, putting significant downward pressure on near-term crude oil prices.
Friday 21 August 2015
Otmane El Rhazi : Major fossil fuel-producing states rely heavily on severance taxes
Otmane El Rhazi from Today in Energy.
Several states that produce large amounts of fossil fuels rely heavily on severance tax revenue—taxes based on the volume and/or value of oil, natural gas, coal, and other natural resources. On average, severance taxes accounted for less than 2% of state tax collections in 2014, but in three states—Alaska, North Dakota, and Wyoming—severance taxes provided a much larger share of total state tax revenue in that year.
Several states that produce large amounts of fossil fuels rely heavily on severance tax revenue—taxes based on the volume and/or value of oil, natural gas, coal, and other natural resources. On average, severance taxes accounted for less than 2% of state tax collections in 2014, but in three states—Alaska, North Dakota, and Wyoming—severance taxes provided a much larger share of total state tax revenue in that year.
Thursday 20 August 2015
Otmane El Rhazi : Australia shifts investment from wind projects to other renewable sources
Otmane El Rhazi from Today in Energy.
Australia's Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) last month was directed to stop investing in future wind power projects. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott stated that CEFC should be investing in the development of new technologies rather than in technologies that are currently established, such as large-scale wind farms.
Australia's Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) last month was directed to stop investing in future wind power projects. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott stated that CEFC should be investing in the development of new technologies rather than in technologies that are currently established, such as large-scale wind farms.
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