(Wed, 09 Mar 2016) This report provides detailed U.S. domestic coal distribution data for October ? December 2014, excluding waste coal and imports, by coal origin, coal destination, mode of transportation, and consuming sector. Quarterly coal distribution data for all years are preliminary and will be superseded by the release of the corresponding ?Annual Coal Distribution Report.?
(Wed, 09 Mar 2016) U.S. monthly crude oil production in December 2015 continued to decline, as oil production reached its lowest level since November 2014. Production also declined from year-ago levels for the first time in more than four years. This continued production decline is the result of lower crude prices, which have declined more than 70% since the summer of 2014.
(Wed, 09 Mar 2016) Production of petroleum and other liquids in the United Kingdom increased in 2015, as investments made when oil prices were high came to fruition, but the UK remains a net importer. Although production in the UK has not yet responded to lower oil prices, investment in the UK?s oil and natural gas industry is declining. This decline will likely lead to lower production in the future.
Platts editors on why the premium of Med LSFO prices over NWE tumbled to its narrowest level in 20-months on the back of plummeting freight rates between the two regions.
Platts looks at the impending arrival of the first shipment of US shale gas to Europe and its likely impact on the region's plastics industry.
(Tue, 08 Mar 2016) Nearly 18 gigawatts (GW) of electric generating capacity was retired in 2015, a relatively high amount compared with recent years. More than 80% of the retired capacity was conventional steam coal. The coal-fired generating units retired in 2015 tended to be older and smaller in capacity than the coal generation fleet that continues to operate.
(Tue, 08 Mar 2016) The North Sea Brent front month futures price rose $2.83 per barrel (b) from February 1 to settle at $37.07/b on March 3. The West Texas Intermediate (WTI) front month futures price rose $2.95/b and settled at $34.57 over the same period.
(Tue, 08 Mar 2016) North Sea Brent crude oil prices averaged $32/barrel (b) in February, a $1/b increase from January.
Brent crude oil prices are forecast to average $34/b in 2016 and $40/b in 2017, $3/b and $10/b lower than forecast in last month's STEO, respectively. The lower forecast prices reflect oil production that has been more resilient than expected in a low-price environment and lower expectations for forecast oil demand growth.
Two of the biggest names in the oil industry believe that the wounds inflicted by cratering crude prices will heal slowly.
Platts 62% Fe IODEX jumped a whopping $10.70/dry mt (or 20%), its largest daily hike ever, to reach $64.20/mt.
