Legislative efforts to lift restrictions on the export of U.S. crude oil continue to progress, but are expected to meet with staunch Presidential opposition. On October 9, 2015, the full U.S. House of Representatives considered and decided in a 261/159 bipartisan vote to pass H.R. 702 – To adapt to changing crude oil market conditions, … Continue reading
Modification of the U.S. policy restricting exports of domestic crude oil has been at the forefront of energy policy discussion due to the country’s recent emergence as a leader in oil and natural gas production. Committees of both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House have initiated and passed legislation seeking to lift the longstanding restrictions … Continue reading
Few of us can erase from our memories the imagery of fires blazing at the scenes of crude oil train derailments in West Virginia in early February and in Illinois earlier this month. The fact that these trains carrying Bakken crude oil from North Dakota derailed in the midst of the intense standoff between Congress and the … Continue reading
Rapidly changing global energy dynamics, particularly the dramatic decline in crude oil prices, have left many struggling to predict what the fall out will be – on energy prices, American energy companies and workers, and nations heavily dependent upon oil exports. Despite falling oil prices, U.S. crude oil production is currently on the rise. The … Continue reading
The rapid decline in crude oil prices has exerted global pressure on the energy industry and nations heavily dependent upon oil. Russia is a glaring example, with the precarious state of its currency largely tied to the precipitous drop in oil prices this year. In the midst of such volatility, the outlook for the U.S. … Continue reading
The reporting in late June of the Commerce Department’s private rulings that authorized two companies to export condensate has ignited discussions regarding the real prospect of changes in U.S. oil export policy. Industry participants reportedly have viewed the Commerce Department rulings as “a major opening for the U.S. energy industry, and not simply a technical tweak to … Continue reading
U.S. HAS SECOND HIGHEST OIL/PETROLEUM LIQUIDS PRODUCTION IN 25+ YEARS: The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that U.S. Field Production of Crude Oil and Petroleum Products has been the highest since March 1986 in recent months. In March 1986, 10,664 million barrels/day were produced – in November 2013, 10,632 million barrels/day and in January 2014, 10,578 million … Continue reading
SENATE HEARING TO DISCUSS LIFTING BAN ON U.S. CRUDE OIL EXPORTS: At 9:30 a.m. on January 30, 2014, the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources will hold a hearing to discuss the export of U.S. crude oil, which has been prohibited (with minor exceptions) by a policy implemented in the 1970s. Whether to lift the ban … Continue reading