Germany is facing an energy paradox where significant increases in renewably-generated power – mostly from wind and solar – are being surpassed by increases in coal-fired power. Part of the reason stems from the country’s decision to phase out its nuclear fleet. A majority of the nuclear generation capacity that has come offline – 8… Keep reading →
We may finally get a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline in 2014, but in the meantime the battle over whether or not to construct the oil transportation infrastructure project rages on. This infographic argues in favor of constructing KXL because pipelines are a more efficient transportation method than either trucking or railing crude oil.… Keep reading →
Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz has weighed in on the question of whether the US should loosen export restrictions on domestically produced crude oil, suggesting that the export regime may be “outdated” at a Platts event on 12 December. So it was only a matter of time before someone in congress objected, loudly, to an Obama… Keep reading →
Standard and Poor’s downgraded its outlook on US-based independent Anadarko due to the likelihood of a court settlement that could exceed $9 billion. The case dates back to subsidiary Kerr-McGee’s 2002 corporate restructuring and the company’s 2005 spin-off of its titanium dioxide business. “Our negative outlook reflects our view that a Tronox settlement in excess… Keep reading →
Rising oil output in the US has already begun to alter the traditional price relationship between US and international crudes, and continued production growth could lead to a domestic glut of certain grades, adding to pressure to lift restrictions on crude exports. The stunning turnaround in the US’ oil fortunes has made plenty of headlines,… Keep reading →
In October 2013, exactly 40 years after the 1973 Arab Oil Embargo, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) announced that the US produced more crude oil than it imported. According to EIA, estimated domestic crude oil output averaged 7.7 million barrels per day in October – the highest in 25 years – while oil imports were 7.6.… Keep reading →
The global oil market is a strange place indeed and the surge in US crude production coupled with outdated regulations are creating counterintuitive trade dynamics. A majority of US crude imports come from Canada – 2.5 million barrels per day in September according to EIA data – but now the US also exports more crude… Keep reading →
This second video in a 3-part series from the Advanced Biofuels Association highlights successes and challenges facing a company that seeks to commercialize next-generation, renewable transportation fuels. Sapphire Energy is the “first company to produce renewable crude oil on a continuous basis from algae biomass,” according to the ABFA. Sapphire CEO CJ Warner says the… Keep reading →
By Catherine Boyle The fallout from the failure of a high-profile international meeting over Iran’s nuclear ambitions could be most felt in the cost of oil. The Brent crude price of oil rose towards $106 a barrel in early trading Monday morning, following the conclusion of the weekend’s meeting. Any signs that Iran is coming into the… Keep reading →
The possibility of a rapprochement in nuclear talks between the US and Iran – though they did not produce a deal – had fueled a degree of oil market optimism about Iran’s reinstatement as a global oil supplier. But even if negotiations had proved successful, political and logistical hurdles would likely have stalled any significant return… Keep reading →
