Would the US ever attend an OPEC meeting? – Fuel for Thought
The recent invitation by OPEC for US officials to join in production freeze talks is clearly a nod to the production powerhouse Americas has become as a result of the shale revolution.
Short positions in U.S. crude oil futures held by producers, merchants at nine-year high
(Mon, 24 Oct 2016) Short positions in West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futures contracts held by producers or merchants totaled more than 540,000 contracts as of October 11, 2016, the most since 2007, according to data from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
U.S. crude oil imports increase during first half of 2016, the first increase since 2010
(Fri, 21 Oct 2016) U.S. gross crude oil imports increased by 528,000 barrels per day (b/d), or 7%, during the first half of 2016 compared to the first half of 2015. This increase reverses a multiyear trend of decreasing U.S. crude oil imports as a result of increasing U.S. production.
Zero wedge: Shrinking margins and increased regulation leaves ‘restrained optimism’ for gold
Another year, another London Bullion Market Association conference, and this year was full of what HSBC senior analyst James Steel described as “restrained optimism.”
Container market's financial pressure cooker set to build into 2017
The shipping industry is meant to epitomize the word “globalization” but not in the true sense of the word, as shipping companies deal with the continuous onslaught of environmental and financial regulations.
Low oil prices have affected Russian petroleum companies and government revenues
(Thu, 20 Oct 2016) Russian federal revenue from oil and natural gas production has declined significantly in response to low oil prices. However, Russian oil and natural gas companiesâ capital investment programs have been less affected, if at all. Russiaâs two main hydrocarbon taxes are calculated by formulas that result in lower tax rates at lower crude oil prices.
Looking for a pop from premium gasoline? Look again
It may not change human behavior, but if it did, a recent AAA report on the benefits of premium gasoline might cut into what on paper looks like a pretty profitable business.
Over past decade, Mountain region states have used less coal for electricity generation
(Wed, 19 Oct 2016) Coal has long been the dominant source of electricity generation in the Mountain Census division. In the eight Mountain states, coal-fired power generation made up almost 50% of the regionâs total generation in 2015, compared to the national average of 33%. A decade ago, coalâs share in Mountain states was even higher, at 63%.
Hanjin Shipping’s demise no surprise to Platts Ocean Intelligence chief
An Ocean Intelligence report published two whole years before the momentous collapse of Hanjin, the world’s seventh (or eighth or tenth – depends who’s asked) largest container liner and South Korea’s flagship carrier.
The world's nine largest operating power plants are hydroelectric facilities
(Tue, 18 Oct 2016) An estimated 62,500 power plants are operating around the world, with a total installed generating capacity of more than 6,000 gigawatts (GW) in 2015. The nine largest operating power plants in the world by capacity are all hydroelectric power plants.