In response to Superstorm Sandy, DOE has announced the first federal regional gasoline reserve to create one million barrels of gasoline storage in the Northeast. On May 2, 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced establishment of the first regional refined petroleum product reserve creating one million barrels of gasoline storage in the Northeast. The action,… Keep reading →
BP announced yesterday it will sell interests in four Alaska North Slope assets to Hilcorp, a comparatively small, independent, Texas-based operator. BP says the divestment will help focus on increasing output from the giant Prudhoe Bay field and an ambitious LNG export project. “There are some big benefits from this transaction,” said Janet Weiss, President… Keep reading →
As people purchase, drive and need to charge more electric cars a new area of social etiquette is emerging. EV drivers increasingly face uncharted territory when plugging into public charging facilities. Amy Myers Jaffe covered the issue in a recent article: US Davis ITS researchers Nicolette Caperello, Ken Kurani, and Jennifer TyreeHageman found that EV… Keep reading →
Although natural gas prices already increased this year more than many expected – largely due to weather-related demand and inventory draws – business opportunities for energy infrastructure projects that use natural gas as feedstock remain attractive. Engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) firms could be particularly well placed to benefit from a medium-term “mega cycle,” according… Keep reading →
The energy industry has the opportunity to become a leader rather than a laggard on climate change risk analysis by embracing the evaluation of risks and applying its significant financial and management resources to the improvement of climate resiliency. A new National Climate Assessment is set for release in late April 2014, and one of… Keep reading →
The FY 2015 budget plan proposes $27.9B in DOE funding, reiterating President Obama’s commitment to a low-carbon future and energy infrastructure resilience. President Barack Obama’s FY 2015 budget plan released on March 4, 2014 allocates $27.9B for the Department of Energy (DOE), a 2.6 percent increase from the 2014 enacted level. It reflects DOE reorganization… Keep reading →
Various authorities have been playing regulatory catchup in the wake of unanticipated oil transport by rail increases and several associated accidents. Today’s big news is a US Transportation Department announcement that crude oil moving by rail will be subject to extensive testing for characteristics like vapor pressure and other properties that impact flammability. The testing… Keep reading →
New Jersey has proposed using federal Sandy relief funds to set up an Energy Resilience Bank that would fund projects to make the state’s energy infrastructure more resilient in the face of extreme weather events. The Bank is an innovative proposal that will help New Jersey prepare for the future in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, which… Keep reading →
High vapor pressures can increase the flammability of crude oil and Bakken grades were determined to have higher pressures than several other common international grades refined in the US, which raises rail transport safety questions. “Given the recent derailments and subsequent reaction of the Bakken crude in those incidents, not enough is known about this… Keep reading →
As the sociopolitical situation in Egypt deteriorates, the country’s energy infrastructure is also suffering. Although winter blackouts currently frustrating the population are being blamed on seasonal maintenance, a tight natural gas supply situation could exacerbate matters this summer when air conditioning-demand peaks. In late January, BG Group was ordered to direct gas away from LNG… Keep reading →
