Archive for December, 2017

Oil prices up slightly despite January restart of UK pipeline

Oil prices up slightly despite January restart of UK pipeline

Oil prices lifted by 6.5 million barrel drop in US crude stocks Oil prices rebounded from earlier losses Thursday despite reports from Ineos, the company that operates the Forties pipeline, that it expects to reopen the shuttered pipeline in early January. By 5:15 p.m. EST, Brent had risen by 17 cents to $64.28  and US […]

Canada needs new pipelines, as widening crude oil price differentials demonstrate

Canada needs new pipelines, as widening crude oil price differentials demonstrate

Pipeline opponents claim no new pipelines required, but market punishes Canadian producers with lower prices due to constrained shipping capacity Will the recent widening of the differential between Western Canadian Select and US benchmark West Texas Intermediate prices, which stood at over $34CDN Wednesday, finally put to rest the patently false narrative that the Alberta-based […]

By December 21, 2017 0 Comments Read More →
Chinese, Australian ports jammed as demand for coal, iron ore soar

Chinese, Australian ports jammed as demand for coal, iron ore soar

Chinese coal demand up 10 per cent in 2017 Rising demand in China for coal and iron ore have caused bottlenecks in China’s commodity supply chain. Placed end-to-end, there are enough cargo ships waiting outside Chinese and Australian ports to stretch more than 40 miles. Outside some Australian ports, some vessels are waiting to load […]

By December 20, 2017 0 Comments Read More →
Last of fish spawning deterrent mats removed by Kinder Morgan, says NEB

Last of fish spawning deterrent mats removed by Kinder Morgan, says NEB

NEB had not authorized installation of the deterrent mats, says now that “further enforcement action” being considered In early Sept, the National Energy Board ordered Trans Mountain Pipeline ULC to remove plastic snow fence material laid down in the beds of eight streams during mid-August prevent fish from spawning in the area. The NEB reported Tuesday that as […]

By December 20, 2017 0 Comments Read More →
US power sector CO2 emissions fall below transportation sector emissions

US power sector CO2 emissions fall below transportation sector emissions

Electric power’s share of non-carbon-emitting fuels such as nuclear, hydropower, wind, and solar has grown U.S. carbon dioxide emissions from the transportation sector reached 1,893 million metric tons (MMmt) from October 2015 through September 2016, exceeding electric power sector CO2 emissions of 1,803 MMmt over the same time period, according to the US Energy Information Administration. […]

By December 20, 2017 0 Comments Read More →
Podcast: Forget steam, it’s time to microwave that oil sands bitumen!

Podcast: Forget steam, it’s time to microwave that oil sands bitumen!

RF LX downhole heater promises to replace steam for SAGD, lower or eliminate GHG emissions, reduce costs Of all the types of energy news I report, innovation and new technology stories are the most interesting. There’s something about smart people using science and engineering to solve real world problems that gives me hope for humanity. […]

By December 20, 2017 0 Comments Read More →
Early $150 million Christmas present for Alberta energy efficiency, climate action programs

Early $150 million Christmas present for Alberta energy efficiency, climate action programs

Industry eligible for to upgrade facilities/equipment to improve energy efficiency, reduce operating costs, improve competitiveness Santa Claus and his helpers in the form of Kent Hehr and Shannon Phillips dropped down Alberta’s chimney last week, leaving behind funding for that will help Albertans save money and energy while supporting the province’s climate objectives. The $150 […]

By December 19, 2017 0 Comments Read More →
Column: What are the transformative technology trends in your industry?

Column: What are the transformative technology trends in your industry?

Experts reveal what they see as transformative trends at BP summit in London This article ran in BP Magazine on December 13, 2017 Some futuristic technologies seem inconceivable today, but the same may have been said for a smartphone device 30 years ago. So, what are the trends that may be game-changing across different industries […]

By December 19, 2017 0 Comments Read More →
125 Tesla Semi trucks reserved by UPS, largest order ever

125 Tesla Semi trucks reserved by UPS, largest order ever

Tesla Semi trucks to cost about $200,000 each Reuters reports United Parcel Service Inc announced on Tuesday that it will buy 125 Tesla Semi trucks as the delivery company expands its fleet of alternative-fuel vehicles. The all electric big rigs will cost around $200,000 each, bringing the total UPS purchase to about $25 million.  The […]

By December 19, 2017 0 Comments Read More →
Oil prices up as Forties pipeline shutdown continues

Oil prices up as Forties pipeline shutdown continues

Oil prices up, but rising US production tempers gains Oil prices rose as the shutdown of the UK’s Forties pipeline and OPEC-led supply cuts continued. As well, data to be released later on Tuesday and early Wednesday is expected to show US crude stocks declined for the fifth straight week. By 1:31 p.m. EST, Benchmark […]

By December 19, 2017 0 Comments Read More →