Blog
Since days when shale oil and gas technologies were discovered, the U.S. energy industry has been evolving more rapidly than ever before. Many changes are amazing especially when you put them on an industry map. At Rextag not only do we keep you aware of major projects such as pipelines or LNG terminals placed in service. Even less significant news are still important to us, be it new wells drilled or processing plants put to regular maintenance.
Daily improvements often come unnoticed but you can still follow these together with us. Our main input is to “clip it” to the related map: map of crude oil refineries or that of natural gas compressor stations. Where do you get and follow your important industry news? Maybe you are subscribed to your favorite social media feeds or industry journals. Whatever your choice is, you are looking for the story. What happened? Who made it happen? WHY does this matter? (Remember, it is all about ‘What’s in It For Me’ (WIIFM) principle).
How Rextag blog helps? Here we are concerned with looking at things both CLOSELY and FROM A DISTANCE.
"Looking closely" means reflecting where exactly the object is located.
"From a distance" means helping you see a broader picture.
New power plant added in North-East? See exactly what kind of transmission lines approach it and where do they go. Are there other power plants around? GIS data do not come as a mere dot on a map. We collect so many additional data attributes: operator and owner records, physical parameters and production data. Sometimes you will be lucky to grab some specific area maps we share on our blog. Often, there is data behind it as well. Who are top midstream operators in Permian this year? What mileage falls to the share or Kinder Morgan in the San-Juan basin? Do you know? Do you want to know?
All right, then let us see WHERE things happen. Read this blog, capture the energy infrastructure mapped and stay aware with Rextag data!
Latest U.S. News: Vital Energy, NOG $1.1B Acquisition of Point Energy in Delaware Basin
Vital Energy is joining forces with Northern Oil and Gas (NOG) to acquire Point Energy Partners’ Delaware Basin assets for $1.1 billion. As part of the agreement, Vital and NOG will purchase Point Energy’s assets in an all-cash deal. Vital Energy will take 80% of the assets, while NOG will acquire 20%. Vortus Investments currently own Point Energy.
Keystone XL Pipeline Controversy and Wildlife Disaster: From Green Light to Red Light on the $15 Billion Project
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The pipeline industry in the USA faced and still faces a range of regulatory challenges, including permitting delays, environmental requirements, and public opposition to pipeline projects. In recent years, pipeline projects like the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines had legal and regulatory obstacles that delayed or canceled their construction. Keystone XL Pipeline, proposed by TransCanada in 2008, aimed to transport crude oil from Canada (around Calgary and Edmonton) to refineries on the Gulf Coast (Port Arthur). The project faced opposition from environmental groups and indigenous communities, who argued that it would contribute to climate change and pose a risk to water resources. In 2015, the project was rejected, citing concerns about its environmental impact. However, in 2017, the project was revived, leading to further legal challenges. In June 2021, it was officially canceled.
How Big is America in the RNG Market: USA Renewable Natural Gas Ups and Downs
The renewable natural gas (RNG) industry in the United States is showing promising signs of growth. As of 2019, the U.S. consumed 261 billion cubic feet (BCF) of RNG, primarily utilized by independent power producers, electric utilities, and various commercial and industrial entities. However, this figure represents only a small fraction of its potential. Research indicates that the U.S. could theoretically produce up to 2,200 BCF of RNG through anaerobic digestion alone, which would equate to about 11% of daily national natural gas consumption.
Renewable Efforts Lag as Global Oil and Gas Demand Continues to Rise
Recently, the progress toward an energy transition is hitting a snag. Sales of electric vehicles are decelerating, and the growth in wind and solar power needs to be keeping pace with expectations. To make matters more challenging, electricity prices are climbing when they were expected to fall. Amidst these setbacks, the oil and gas sectors are proving resilient. According to BP's latest energy outlook, not only are these energy mainstays here to stay, but their demand is expected to remain relatively high even after reaching a peak. Interestingly, BP forecasts that oil demand will reach its zenith next year, marking a critical moment in energy consumption trends. This isn't the first time BP has projected a peak in oil demand. Back in 2019, their review anticipated a decline in demand growth, but the prediction fell flat. Instead, oil demand surged to unprecedented levels following the end of the global pandemic lockdowns, defying previous forecasts and underscoring the enduring dominance of traditional energy sources in the global market.
After Hurricane Beryl, U.S. Aims High to Sustain Solar Energy Growth and Stay Top in Renewables
Texas energy companies are picking up the pieces after Hurricane Beryl, an early Category 5 hurricane, hit the U.S. Gulf Coast earlier this week. However, it weakened to Category 1 by the time it made landfall in Texas. The hurricane brought heavy rainfall and sparked fears of storm surges, flooding, and tornadoes. As Hurricane Beryl neared, the natural gas supply to Freeport LNG’s export facility in Texas nearly stopped the day before the storm struck. Houston was particularly hard-hit, with the storm knocking out power for two million residents. CenterPoint Energy, a key power provider in the area, felt the brunt of the hurricane but aimed to have power restored to half the affected customers by the following day.
What's Behind the Rise in U.S. Drilling Rigs?
The total number of drilling rigs actively exploring and producing oil and natural gas in the United States increased to 585 for the week ending July 5, up from 581 the previous week. Despite this recent uptick, the current count still falls short of last year's 680, indicating a slowdown in drilling activities. Analysts suggest that this reduction may reflect greater efficiency among shale producers, who now require fewer rigs. Nonetheless, concerns remain about whether some producers have enough viable drilling land
$5 Billion Grayson Mill Deal Expands Devon Energy's Williston Operations
Based in Oklahoma City, Devon Energy is expanding its operations in the Williston Basin with a major $5 billion acquisition of Grayson Mill Energy, a company supported by the Houston-based EnCap Investments LP. This deal includes $3.25 billion in cash and $1.75 billion in Devon stock. Announced before the markets opened on July 8, this strategic move aims to boost Devon's oil production and operational scale significantly
Renewable Energy and Decarbonization: From Renewable Diesel to Electrofuel, Biofuel and Geothermal Power
Renewable diesel, a cousin to traditional petroleum diesel, stands out as a standalone fuel and a blendable option. In 2022, it accounted for about 8% of all U.S. biofuel production and 9% of its consumption. For decades, diesel has been the stalwart choice for both shippers and carriers, valued for its reliability. Yet, as sustainability becomes a priority, these industries are now navigating the complex world of alternative fuels. This shift has its challenges; the array of choices comes with varying information about availability, cost, performance, and environmental impact. Amidst these options, renewable diesel is gaining traction.
Mega Mergers to Mega Sales: The Next Phase in Oil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and Occidental
U.S. oil and gas companies are facing a tough task: unloading $27 billion in assets to pay their investors. This push comes as the largest wave of energy mergers in 25 years is about to clear its final regulatory checks. Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and Occidental Petroleum are aiming to raise between $16 billion and $23 billion from selling off assets after their mergers. Exxon Mobil, another major player, has been raising about $4 billion a year from sales since 2021 but hasn't set a specific target for future divestitures.