Fuel for Thought: OPEC deal gives Suez Canal hope for revenue
Egypt hopes OPEC’s move to cut oil output will actually breathe life into the moribund traffic in its Suez Canal and provide badly needed foreign currency.
Thanksgiving holiday causes unique electricity usage patterns across the country
(Mon, 05 Dec 2016) In terms of electricity usage, Thanksgiving Day is one of the most unusual days of the year. Typically at this time of year, electric loads in most regions have a small peak in the morning and a larger peak in the evening. On Thanksgiving, however, the largest peak of the day occurs closer to midday as many Americans gather to celebrate the holiday.
China dominates conversations at Platts Asian steel events
S&P Global Platts stages many steel conferences and forums around the world, but regardless of the location China is invariably the dominating topic.
Federal leasing for offshore wind grows as first U.S. offshore wind farm comes online
(Fri, 02 Dec 2016) The first commercial U.S. offshore wind farm, Block Island, is scheduled to come online in late 2016. Located three miles off the southeastern coast of Rhode Island, Block Island consists of five wind turbines that will produce 30 megawatts of electricity. The electricity will be used on Block Island, where electricity is currently supplied by diesel-powered generators.
Indians wait patiently as steel moves to front of queue
To their surprise, delegates and speakers flying into Mumbai last month for Platts Steel Markets Asia conference were witnesses to history in the making.
New U.S. border-crossing pipelines bring shale gas to more regions in Mexico
(Thu, 01 Dec 2016) U.S. pipeline capacity for natural gas exports to Mexico has rapidly expanded in the past few years and currently stands at 7.3 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d). This existing cross-border capacity primarily supplies the Northeast and Central regions of Mexico. New capacity projected to be completed in the next several years will help to supply Mexicoâs Central and Northwestern regions.
Tighter marine fuel sulfur limits will spark changes by both refiners and vessel operators
(Wed, 30 Nov 2016) The sulfur content of transportation fuels has been declining for many years as a result of increasingly stringent regulations. New international regulations limiting sulfur in fuels for ocean-going vessels, set to take effect in 2020, have further implications for both refiners and vessel operators at a time of high uncertainty in future crude oil prices, which will be a major factor in their operational decisions.
OPEC may end up taking a tough route in spite of itself
There are short-term incentives, under the pressure of summitry, to come up with something - anything! - but the underlying problems mean that any deal reached is unlikely to have much substance or longevity.
U.S. natural gas exports to Mexico continue to grow
(Tue, 29 Nov 2016) U.S. pipeline exports of natural gas continued to grow in 2016, and they have doubled since 2009. Almost all of this growth is attributable to increasing exports to Mexico, which have accounted for more than half of all U.S. natural gas exports since April 2015. In August, the United States exported 4.2 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of natural gas to Mexico via pipelines.
Energy Economist Africa: Picking on the little polluters
The recent spate of plans for coal-fired power plants in Sub-Saharan Africa has generated opposition on environmental grounds.