2013

Energy News Roundup: Law and Finance; Summer Gasoline Deadline; Alaska LNG

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The Intersection of Energy Law and Project Finance

It’s critically important to understand the regulations associated with financing multi-billion dollar energy projects so as to avoid delays and cost increases that can imperil event the best laid plans. Whether it be an oil & gas project or a major renewable energy initiative, getting the financing right means having the legal pieces in order, and a major law firm with a large energy practice highlights some examples of this in their spring newsletter. Keep reading →

 /  Published May 1, 2013 at 11:00 AM

100-Year Outlook Creates ‘Perverse’ Climate Policy Outcomes

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A focus on the atmospheric impact of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 100 years from now distracts from immediate steps, such as reducing natural gas leakage from the production process, that could offer substantial medium-term climate benefits, according to the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF).

Natural gas in power generation offers an obvious advantage over coal in cutting CO2 emissions. “If we think simply of the CO2 emitted per unit of electricity generated, you would say gas is a hands-down winner,” said EDF Chief Scientist Steven Hamburg at the Advanced Energy Conference in New York on Tuesday. Keep reading →

 /  Published May 1, 2013 at 8:30 AM

AOL Energy Changing Names to Breaking Energy

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We’d like to give our readers a heads-up about some impending changes at the site. As some of you know, Breaking Energy was acquired by Breaking Media, and as of Monday, May 6, all readers will be redirected to Breaking Energy at www.breakingenergy.com.

What’s the Same: Keep reading →

 /  Published April 30, 2013 at 2:30 PM

National Grid Mulls LNG, but Not for Export

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Electricity and gas provider National Grid is mulling construction of liquefaction facilities in New England to help meet supply requirements on peak demand days.

National Grid sources the bulk of its natural gas supplies for its New England-based customers from the two major pipelines serving the area – Tennessee and Algonquin. “Both of those pipelines are at or near capacity,” said Director of Gas Contracting and Compliance John Allocca at the Advanced Energy Conference in New York on Tuesday. Keep reading →

 /  Published April 30, 2013 at 1:48 PM

Saudi Oil Minister Welcomes New U.S. Bounty of Oil Supplies

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Saudi Arabia’s oil minister said on Tuesday he welcomes the new U.S. energy supplies as he expects the country to remain an importer of crude from the Middle East.

The United States is producing oil at the highest level in 20 years thanks to hydraulic fracturing and other advanced drilling techniques. “The United States is and will remain a major energy consumer,” Ali al-Naimi said at a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

“Talk of energy independence fails to recognize the interconnected nature of international energy markets. I believe this talk of ending reliance is a naive a rather simplistic view,” he said.

Published April 30, 2013 / Reuters

(Reporting by Timothy Gardner; Editing by Gerald E. McCormick)

 /  Published April 30, 2013 at 11:45 AM

Daniel Yergin’s Three Big Energy Questions

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At last week’s launch of Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy, author and energy analyst Daniel Yergin talked about what he sees as today’s three big energy questions. Dr. Yergin recently released a new book entitled “The Quest,” which follows up on his Pulitzer-winning history of the global oil industry, “The Prize.”

1) Is there enough energy? Will we run out? A few years ago peak oil was a common topic and dark days were seemingly ahead – demand was concentrated in OECD countries and ROW (rest of world) was just the tail until about 2004 when demand in emerging markets exploded, said Yergin. But every time it seems we are running out of oil, he went on to say, technology helps find and develop more, like we have now with shale and tight oil & gas. However, while concerns about peak oil may not be as urgent as they seemed a few years ago, new challenges have arisen, and “it’s still sobering to look at these energy challenges,” he said. Keep reading →

 /  Published April 29, 2013 at 3:45 PM

US GTL Holds Little Allure for Chevron

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Some companies see gas-to-liquids (GTL) as a promising means of converting the US’ massive gas resources into vehicle fuel, but Chevron has little interest in GTL projects in the US.

Chevron is a large player in GTL. The company is a partner in the Escravos GTL plant in Nigeria, which will convert 325 million cubic feet of natural gas per day into 33,000 barrels of liquids, mostly synthetic diesel, and is scheduled to come onstream later this year. Commissioning is underway, but “it’s a complex plant and the commissioning activity will really go on for the bulk of this year,” said Chief Financial Office Pat Yarrington during the company’s first-quarter 2013 earnings call on Friday. Keep reading →

 /  Published April 29, 2013 at 2:00 PM

$2.9B in Smart Grid Investment Yields $6.8B in Economic Output, DOE Says

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Judging from a DOE analysis of smart grid projects, spending on Smart Grid Investment Grants and Smart Grid Demonstration Programs is more than paying off. As of March 2012, the $2.9 billion spent on projects has yielded a total economic output of $6.8 billion.

Also, the analysis indicated that high tech, industrial and service businesses usually involved in smart grid projects record higher than average labor income and boost job numbers in the economy through “indirect and induced mechanisms.” Keep reading →

 /  Published April 29, 2013 at 1:00 PM

Range’s Condensate Advantage: Location, Location, Location

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Range Resources’ position in the Marcellus, and the market access it offers, gives the a leg up over condensate producers in other parts of the country, according to the company’s Senior Vice-President Rodney Waller.

Range holds a million acres in the Pennsylvania portion of the Marcellus shale some in dry gas areas, and some in wet gas or “super rich,” where the production stream yields liquids, such as condensate and NGLs. Range Chief Executive Jeff Ventura noted earlier this year that in 2012, the company’s Marcellus wet gas acreage was producing 49% liquids, compared to 57% in the super rich area. Keep reading →

 /  Published April 29, 2013 at 11:00 AM

The United States is Losing the Race for Fusion Power

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America’s debate on energy policy is consumed by partisanship and short-term thinking. Whether the debate today focuses on tax credits for specific technologies or removing regulatory hurdles to allow for more energy production, policymakers are failing to plan for the long haul. Instead we should ask: what do we want our energy mix to look like in 10, 20, or 30 years? How do we address climate change, ensure energy reliability, and create high-tech industries for the next generation?

Existing energy technologies will play a part. However, the world also needs transformational change in the energy industry. Fusion energy holds this potential. By fusing together two hydrogen atoms, enormous quantities of energy can be produced. When successfully commercialized, it will be a near-optimal source of power – clean, safe, secure, and virtually inexhaustible. Keep reading →

 /  Published April 29, 2013 at 8:30 AM
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