The North Dakota Industrial Commission has approved amendments to the state’s crude oil conditioning requirements. The changes include the addition of a commission-approved oil conditioning policy and guidance, which will continue to assure that crude oil produced in the state is transported and marketed safely, it said. Source: News
US FERC issues EIS for Driftwood LNG, associated pipeline
The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued the final environmental impact statement for Tellurian Inc.’s proposed Driftwood LNG export project and an associated pipeline in Louisiana. The project would produce as much as 27.6 million tonnes/year of LNG for export. Source: News
Judge issues order halting BOEM Mid-Atlantic OCS seismic preparation
A federal judge in South Carolina issued an injunction stopping the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s processing of applications for offshore oil and gas seismic permits on the US Mid-Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf during the federal government’s partial shutdown. US District Judge Richard M. Gergel issued his Jan. 18 order after South Carolina Atty. […]
Hengyuan Refining approves unit for Malaysian refinery
Hengyuan Refining Co.—a subsidiary of Shandong Hengyuan Petrochemical—has approved a $66.4-million investment to develop and build a hydrogen manufacturing unit as part of a hydrogen generation project for production of cleaner fuels at its 156,000-b/d refining complex in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Source: News
MARKET WATCH: NYMEX, Brent crude prices end the week with a gain
Crude oil prices moved upward on New York and London markets Jan. 18 as the US and China continue trade negotiations and indications of a path to a supply-trade rebalancing emerge. Discussions between the US and China continue. Late last week, Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He confirmed he will visit Washington, DC, Jan. 30-31 for continued […]
US needs to improve its energy innovation process, speakers suggest
The US will need to improve its energy innovation process if it expects to reach the Trump administration’s goal of achieving global energy dominance, speakers agreed at a Jan. 17 Bipartisan Policy Center event. The key will be finding ways to more effectively commercialize innovative research under way at the US Department of Energy’s National […]
WoodMac: 150,000 b/d of Chinese refining capacity could close by 2020
About 150,000 b/d of refining capacity could close in China by 2020, due to tight operating environment, according to a recent analysis from Wood Mackenzie. “Chinese refineries did not face crude supply issues in 2018 but there were other challenges,” said WoodMac consultant Rui Hou. Source: News
India’s small-field bid round extended
India’s Directorate General of Hydrocarbons has extended for the second time the close of bidding for its second round of licensing of discovered small fields. Bidding remains open through Jan. 30, DGH said. Source: News
Baker Hughes: US rig count falls 25 units to 1,050
The US drilling rig count dropped 25 units to reach 1,050 rigs working for the week ended Jan. 18. The count is up 114 units from the 936 rigs working this time a year ago, according to Baker Hughes data. Source: News
IEA: Rebalancing of global oil market to be gradual
Despite the signing of a new Vienna Agreement, the journey to a balanced global oil market will take time and is more likely to be a marathon than a sprint, according to the International Energy Agency’s first Oil Market Report in 2019. On the supply side, IEA said, “While Saudi Arabia is determined to protect […]