Despite closures, U.S. nuclear electricity generation in 2018 surpassed its previous peak

(Thu, 21 Mar 2019) Electricity generation from U.S. nuclear power plants totaled 807.1 million megawatthours (MWh) in 2018, slightly more than the previous peak of 807.0 million MWh in 2010, based on preliminary annual data. Although several nuclear power plants have closed since 2010, a combination of added capacity through uprates and shorter refueling and maintenance cycles allowed the remaining nuclear power plants to produce more electricity. In the near future, however, EIA expects that U.S. nuclear power output will decline.

EIA projects U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions will remain near current level through 2050

(Wed, 20 Mar 2019) Carbon dioxide emissions from U.S. energy consumption will remain near current levels through 2050, according to projections in EIA’s <em>Annual Energy Outlook 2019</em>. The AEO2019 Reference case, which reflects no changes to current laws and regulations and extends current trends in technology, projects that U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions will be 5,019 million metric tons in 2050, or 4% below their 2018 value, as emissions associated with coal and petroleum consumption fall and emissions from natural gas consumption rise.

U.S. Gulf Coast refinery demand for hydrogen increasingly met by merchant suppliers

(Fri, 15 Mar 2019) Petroleum refineries in the U.S. Gulf Coast increasingly rely on merchant suppliers, rather than their own production, to provide the hydrogen used to reduce the sulfur content of fuel. As global demand for distillate fuel oil has increased and sulfur content regulations have become more stringent, refineries have needed to use more hydrogen. Hydrogen demand is expected to continue to rise as International Maritime Organization regulations that limit the sulfur content in marine fuels take effect on January 1, 2020.

U.S. natural gas production hit a new record high in 2018

(Thu, 14 Mar 2019) U.S. natural gas production grew by 10.0 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in 2018, an 11% increase from last year. The increase was the largest annual volumetric growth on record and reached a record high for the second consecutive year. U.S. natural gas production measured as gross withdrawals averaged 101.3 Bcf/d in 2018, the highest volume on record. U.S. natural gas production measured as marketed production and dry natural gas production also reached new highs at 89.6 Bcf/d and 83.4 Bcf/d, respectively.

Lower 48 working natural gas stocks hit a new record for largest weekly net withdrawals in March

(Thu, 14 Mar 2019) Net withdrawals for the Lower 48 states totaled 204 billion cubic feet (Bcf) for the week ending March 8, 2019. This value is the largest value ever reported for March in the <em>Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report</em> (WNGSR). Out of the 20 largest reported March withdrawals, 5 have occurred since 2014, including last week’s (week ending March 1, 2019) reported net withdrawal of 149 Bcf.

Increases in natural gas production from Appalachia affect natural gas flows

(Tue, 12 Mar 2019) The 2019 <em>Annual Energy Outlook</em> (AEO2019) Reference case shows continued growth of natural gas production in the Mid-Atlantic and Ohio region from the Marcellus and Utica formations, resulting in increases of natural gas being transported to the Eastern Midwest and, ultimately, into the South Central region, which includes the Gulf Coast and Texas.

Working natural gas inventories in Southern California decrease to less than 36 billion cubic feet

(Tue, 12 Mar 2019) Working natural gas inventories in the Southern California Natural Company (SoCalGas) storage system have decreased during the winter (November through March) to about 35.9 billion cubic feet (Bcf) as of March 11, down more than 50% from about 81 Bcf in early November 2018. Inventories are now historically low; only five winters since 2001 have seen natural gas inventories dip lower than current levels, according to the SoCalGas data on its public electronic bulletin board.

U.S. natural gas processing plant capacity and throughput have increased in recent years

(Thu, 07 Mar 2019) EIA estimates that between 2014 and 2017 natural gas processing capacity and processing throughput increased by about 5% on a net basis in the Lower 48 states, even as the number of individual plants declined. Natural gas processing plant utilization rates stayed constant at 66% from 2014 to 2017, but several states experienced significant changes, largely reflecting changes in natural gas production across regions.

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