July 2015

First electric planes fly over English Channel; upstart steals spotlight from Airbus

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Several companies are developing electric planes CALAIS, France – Airbus flew its electric plane across the English Channel for the first time Friday, hours after an independent French pilot made a similar voyage, beating the aeronautics giant in this symbolically important step toward making electronic flight viable in the long term. Several companies in different countries are […]

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Refracturing wells has potential, but plenty of risk and uncertainty – study

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IHS study suggests producers, service companies need more familiarity with refracturing Horizontal well refracturing shows a lot of promise for lowering production costs, but there are technical and financial costs to be overcome, according to a new report from analysts IHS. By 2020, refractured wells will account for as much as 11 percent of horizontal

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Clear vision on setting carbon emission goals needed: CEOs

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Balance of environmental concerns with reliability, affordability needed in setting carbon emission goals CALGARY – Governments needs to set a clear vision on energy goals and then let private enterprise figure out how to get there, according to the chief executives of two major North American energy companies. Greg Abel, head of Berkshire Hathaway Energy, and Doug Suttles, CEO of Encana Corp.,

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Blackfeet Indian tribe breaks off talks over drilling on sacred Montana land

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Blackfeet leaders have asked Interior Secretary to cancel leases BILLINGS, Mont. – An American Indian tribe in Montana has taken the rare step of breaking off formal talks with the U.S. government and a Louisiana company that has been seeking for decades to drill for natural gas on land considered sacred by the Blackfeet people. Blackfeet tribal

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American crude oil inventories rose 384,000 barrels last week

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Daily crude oil production increased 9,000 b/d to 9.604M b/d The U.S. commercial crude oil stocks increased 384,000 barrels to 465.763 million barrels in the week that ended July 3, Energy Information Administration (EIA) data showed Wednesday. Analysts surveyed Monday by Platts expected a 1.1 million-barrel decline. Crude oil stocks have seen counter-seasonal builds the

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New American pipeline safety management system introduced

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Recommended Practice 1173 intended to improve pipeline safety, reduce catastrophic spills A new pipeline safety management system standard designed to help operators avoid disasters like the 2010 Enbridge Kalamzoo River spill was released Wednesday by the American Petroleum Institute. API says the new standard was built on the “industry goal of zero incidents” and created with engagement and

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Electricity markets tightly integrated between USA, Canada

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Can Canadian hydro electricity help USA meet lower carbon emission requirements during transition from coal? New electricity transmission projects are coming on line that will increase Canadian hydro electricity exports to American markets, according to the US Energy Information Administration. Electricity flows freely between the USA and Canada, helping to stabilize power grids in both

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More safety valves to guard against natural gas explosions: Obama proposal

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Valves to reduce natural gas explosions cost about $30 each BILLINGS, Mont. – The Obama administration moved Wednesday to significantly expand a requirement for utilities to install inexpensive safety valves on gas lines across the U.S. following deadly fires and explosions going back decades that officials and safety advocates said could have been avoided. The Transportation Department

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House committee subpoenas Kerry on Keystone XL documents

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Keystone XL approval vetoed by President Obama this past spring WASHINGTON – A House panel has issued a subpoena to Secretary of State John Kerry for department documents, reports and letters related to the contentious push to build the Keystone XL pipeline. Republicans on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee announced the subpoena on Wednesday. The

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