Gasoline prices expected to increase more than diesel prices next week? Then crank up gasoline production! It may sound simple, but sophisticated software, communications and refining equipment all work in harmony to maximize profits on the fly in the highly-competitive US refining industry. Refinery control room operators in New Jersey work closely with commercial traders… Keep reading →
Shell says its investments in North American natural gas fueling infrastructure are focused solely on liquefied natural gas, citing greater infrastructure challenges for compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles and greater in-company expertise in producing LNG. Shell has announced several initiatives to supply LNG to the North American transportation sector. These include a joint venture with… Keep reading →
Last week luxury electric sports car company Tesla Motors announced a major charging station build out, but a Cornell University researcher has cautioned that further scrutiny may be required. Two of the greatest barriers EVs need to overcome in order to compete with gasoline vehicles are range and charging time. You can fill your gas… Keep reading →
The US has shifted from importing refined oil products like gasoline to exporting over 1 million barrels per day in 2012 and companies are positioning themselves to cash in on the trend. The US has exported diesel fuel to Europe for years, which makes sense because demand for the fuel is much higher across the… Keep reading →
It’s been boom or bust for US East Coast refiners in recent years. While several plants shut down, others adapted their logistics to benefit from shifting supply and market dynamics. The shut downs increased surviving operators’ market share, while access to cheaper Midcontinent feedstock combined to strengthen margins and profitability in some cases. Sheer size… Keep reading →
The average US price of a gallon of gasoline has ticked up over the past few days, hitting $3.68/gallon on May 24 in advance of the Memorial Day start of the summer driving season, the Energy Information Administration reports. In the Midwest, the increase has been particularly acute. Midwest – or Petroleum Administration for Defense District (PADD)… Keep reading →
Clean energy progress is too slow, says IEA Progress on research, developing and deploying clean energy technologies “has not been fast enough”, said the International Energy Agency in its Tracking Clean Energy Progress 2013 report. The report blames large market failures that have prevented adoption of clean energy solutions, failure to tap potential for energy… Keep reading →
Rising North American oil production helped to bring down oil, gasoline and diesel prices in 2012, and prices will continue to fall in 2013-2014, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). The EIA has forecast in its latest Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) that US benchmark crude oil West Texas Intermediate will average $93.17 per barrel… Keep reading →
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 →
Last week the US EPA proposed regulations known as Tier 3 rulemaking that would increase fuel efficiency and tighten controls on sulfur in gasoline. The EPA described the new rules as “sensible standards for cars and gasoline that will significantly reduce harmful pollution, prevent thousands of premature deaths and illnesses, while also enabling efficiency improvements in the cars and trucks we drive.”
The environmental community, many politicians and some business associations are strongly in favor of the regulations, while the refining industry is bitterly opposed. Both sides claim the regulations will save money and have very different views on how the rules will affect gasoline prices. The following is a collection of statements EPA sent in an email from prominent environmental, political and trade group voices speaking in favor of the regulations: Keep reading →
