A US ethanol rally to be thankful for?
November is the month of Thanksgiving in the US, and if historical trends hold up, we’re about to see a price recovery that producers will appreciate, says Jordan Godwin.
Texas expected to keep breaking wind generation records as wind capacity grows
(Wed, 04 Nov 2015) Wind generation on the Texas electric system recently hit several all-time highs. The latest all-time instantaneous peak of 12,238 MW reached on October 22 replaced the short-lived records of 11,467 MW on September 13 and 11,950 MW on October 21, based on data from the grid's operator, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. Substantial additions of new wind generating capacity, coupled with strong wind conditions amid unseasonably warm early-autumn temperatures, drove the recent generation records.
LNG overload: gas experiences a cyclical hangover
Amid the glut of gas saturating markets, and million of tonnes of additional gas green-lit to come on line in the next 5 years, competition among producers has ramped up significantly. Jamie McDuell analyses the impact of this phenomenal investment in both supply and transportation on the differentials between the key Japan Korea Marker (JKM) and UK National Balancing point prices.
U.S. propane exports increasing, reaching more distant markets
(Tue, 03 Nov 2015) As U.S. propane production has increased and domestic demand has remained relatively flat, the United States has transitioned from being a net propane importer to a net exporter. Facilitated by rapid expansion in the capacity to export domestic supply, propane exports from the United States are changing traditional propane trade patterns across the globe.
OPEC’s big favor to the world of oil
Platts Ross McCracken takes a look at OPEC’s spare crude production capacity. Much has been made recently of the US’ new spare capacity, but OPEC’s role has also shifted, as he explains.
Despite recent closures, U.S. nuclear capacity is scheduled to increase by 2020
(Mon, 02 Nov 2015) Despite the scheduled closure of more than 2,000 megawatts (MW) of nuclear generating capacity by 2019, scheduled additions of more than 5,000 MW of capacity between 2016 and 2020 could result in a net increase in total U.S. nuclear capacity.
Petroleum Marketing Monthly
(Mon, 02 Nov 2015) The November 2015 Petroleum Marketing Monthly (PMM), with data through August 2015, presents monthly and annual price and volume statistics covering crude oil and refined products sales in the United States.
In this issue of the PMM, preliminary data show crude oil and refiner prices for finished petroleum products declined during August. U.S.-level Prime Supplier data show gasoline and No. 2 distillate sales fell month-on-month, but remained above year-ago levels.
Halloween comes early to ERCOT
Two days before Halloween and as most of the New York Mets’ bats continued to show lifelessness in the World Series, news of a bat brought a timely dose of fear and humor to ERCOT.
Why US natural gas prices hit multi-year lows this week
On Oct. 29, the NYMEX November natural gas futures contract settled at $2.033/MMBtu. Here are some factors contributing to it being $1.61 lower than in 2014.
Petrochemical implications of easing sanctions on Iran
The easing of sanctions on Iran could present a huge opportunity for the Iranian petrochemical sector, since the country sits atop ethane-rich conventional gas reserves.