Energy Tomorrow Blog
A New Chapter in the U.S. Energy Revolution
oil production us energy security imports global energy
Mark Green
Posted January 18, 2019
The new Short-Term Energy Outlook from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) details the vigor of American crude oil production and strengthening U.S. energy security. This is good news for the economy, consumers and America's place in the world.
Consider that EIA estimates U.S. crude oil production averaged 10.9 million barrels per day (b/d) in 2018, an increase of 1.6 million b/d over 2017. EIA says production reached its highest level and had its largest volume growth on record.
EIA estimates crude oil and petroleum products net imports fell to an average of 2.4 million b/d in 2018, from 3.8 million b/d in 2017 – and 12.5 million b/d in 2005. And EIA forecasts that net imports will keep declining this year, to an average of 1.1 million b/d and to less than 0.1 million b/d in 2020. EIA forecasts that in the fourth quarter of 2020, the United States will be a net exporter of crude oil and petroleum products by about 0.9 million b/d.
Report Shows Industry's Commitment to Workplace Safety
Mark Green
Posted January 17, 2019
The natural gas and oil industry’s commitment to employee safety has paid off, reflected in API’s new, comprehensive Workplace Safety Report that shows industry’s incidences rate of occupational injuries and illnesses continues to decline and is significantly lower than the rate for the rest of the U.S. private sector.
Industry’s safety initiatives – recognized by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which has incorporated a number of API’s recommended practices into its own standards – have been successful. The report is full of data and graphics showing this.Energy For A Cleaner Environment
emission reductions state of american energy natural gas climate
Jessica Lutz
Posted January 16, 2019
Welcome to America’s Generation Energy – Americans from all walks of life who have unique opportunities for work, prosperity, health and quality of life thanks to abundant U.S. natural gas and oil.
Our industry is helping lead the way. We’re delivering record volumes of the natural gas and oil that power and support modern life, and we’re doing so with lower emissions and cleaner, more efficient products and operations.
Want to lower consumer energy costs? Invest in energy infrastructure.
infrastructure consumers pipelines development demand production
Jessica Lutz
Posted January 15, 2019
The U.S. natural gas and oil pipeline network spans 2.7 million miles. And while that may sound like a lot, a recent Wall Street Journal article reminds us that U.S. energy infrastructure is still failing to keep up with production and demand. Americans in some parts of the country remain under-served while companies in high-production areas are forced to offload excess natural gas resources – all because of a lack of adequate infrastructure, and regulatory barriers to new development.
The Collision Between U.S.-China Trade Policy and LNG Exports
liquid natural gas lng exports trade china
Dean Foreman
Posted January 14, 2019
The U.S. set new natural gas and oil production and export records in the fourth quarter of 2018, even as the administration's trade war with China continued to escalate. As 2018 trade figures have become clear, an emerging consequence was decreased U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes to China, which fell by around 20 percent from 2017, as these shipments became subject to a 10 percent Chinese import tariff effective Sept. 24.
Americans should care about the health of these U.S. natural gas exports because growing markets for domestic natural gas can generate economic growth at home by helping stimulate additional natural gas development, more than is needed to supply domestic demand; attract multi-billion-dollar U.S. investments in infrastructure – including pipelines, natural gas processing, LNG liquefaction, export facilities and shipping – and the high-quality jobs and wages that accompany these; and more.
The Big Picture on Reducing CO2 Emissions
emission reductions carbon dioxide natural gas climate
Mark Green
Posted January 11, 2019
Before getting into a new report showing an uptick in energy-related carbon dioxide emissions last year, let’s make sure we keep an eye on the big picture as it concerns U.S. CO2. These points: U.S. CO2 emissions have fallen to their lowest level in a generation – even as global emissions have risen 50 percent since 1990. The leading reason for this favorable trendline is increased use of natural gas in power generation. Nine times this century the U.S. has reduced annual emissions more than any other nation, with clean natural gas playing a key role. As natural gas use in power generation increased, U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions decreased 8 percent between 2010 and 2017.
Now, into that context comes a preliminary estimate from the Rhodium Group that final 2018 data will show CO2 increased 3.4 percent last year. The estimate is consistent with a forecast in the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Short-Term Energy Outlook. EIA said the emissions increase reflects 2018’s colder winter (heating) and warmer summer (electricity for cooling).
Significantly, both EIA and Rhodium expect declining CO2 emissions will resume this year.
What Louisiana Can Tell Virginia About Safe Offshore Development
offshore energy safe operations oil and natural gas
Mark Green
Posted January 10, 2019
Coastal states that have hosted offshore natural gas and oil development for decades illustrate how advanced industry technologies and an emphasis on safety – protecting people and the environment – make offshore energy a great opportunity for other states.
A diverse group of business and industry leaders from Virginia – which could be included in the administration’s soon-to-be-unveiled offshore leasing program – recently visited Louisiana, which has had a long, successful experience with offshore development.
The visiting delegation wanted to see first-hand how offshore operations affect coastal areas, individual communities, the state and regional economy, other water activities and more – all feeding enthusiasm for what safe and responsible offshore energy could mean for Virginia.
Energy to Lead
state of american energy oil and natural gas production us energy security
Mark Green
Posted January 9, 2019
“Say hello to the future!” It’s one of the big takeaways from this week’s State of American Energy event, captured in the early frames of API’s new video, “America’s Generation Energy.”
The people of natural gas and oil indeed are looking ahead. As a nation, Americans can greet the future with optimism because our country has secure and abundant energy – the foundation for economic growth, an array of consumer benefits, increased security and environmental progress.
These points are underscored in API’s just-released annual report. It notes that our industry has made history with record-breaking natural gas and oil production, which is making lives better and playing a big role in shaping the future.State of American Energy 2019
state of american energy us energy security economic growth
Mark Green
Posted January 8, 2019
In many ways, the truest measure of U.S. energy is America itself – the country’s economic health and its security in the world, the individual prosperity of its citizens and the nation's ability to meet significant challenges. Energy, led by natural gas and oil, is driving progress in all of these areas. No less important is the role abundant, secure energy plays in expanding concepts of what's possible, what Americans can achieve.
These themes were highlighted at the State of American Energy event in Washington, D.C., where API’s annual report, “America’s Generation Energy,” was released. API President and CEO Mike Sommers said this Generation Energy – the generation of Americans with unprecedented opportunity to dream and achieve thanks to plentiful natural gas and oil – is ready to achieve big things.
U.S. LNG Exports: Room to Grow
lng exports liquefied natural gas trade economic growth production
Mark Green
Posted January 3, 2019
A new chapter in U.S. natural gas exports is unfolding before our very eyes – and with it, strengthened American energy influence abroad, increased trade and support for domestic natural gas production and jobs.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects that 2019 will see U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity will reach nearly 9 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) by year’s end, up from EIA’s 2018 estimate of 4.9 Bcf/d. The U.S. would rank third in the world behind Australia and Qatar.