Energy News to 31 May 2022. OPEC daily basket price stood at $120.01/bl, 30 May 2022

Qatar’s exports rose in April, as it gained from a surge in prices and demand for liquefied natural gas, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Exports totaled 43.5 billion riyals ($11.9 billion) compared to 21 billion riyals in the year-ago period, resulting in a trade surplus of 34.2 billion riyals, a government statement said.


On May 24, Professor Ni Jun, Chief Manufacturing Officer of CATL, shared CATL’s mission and vision in the global energy transition and advocated technological innovation to achieve the global carbon neutrality when attending the “China in the Global Energy Transition” session of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2022 via video link. At the meeting, Ni said that the intermittent and unstable nature of renewable energy sources such as wind power, photovoltaic power and hydropower, together with the need for frequency and peak regulation of the power grid during the West-East Power Transmission process, has opened up enormous opportunities for the development of large-scale energy storage systems. In addition to innovative research and development on the EV batteries, CATL has also heavily invested in research and development on the energy storage solutions at the power generation side, power transmission and distribution side, and the power consumption side, making innovations in many aspects such as material research and development and manufacturing, Read More


Arun Plus Company Limited (ARUN PLUS), and Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) have signed a strategic MOU to explore potential cooperation and development opportunities in battery-related business in ASEAN, to increase the competitive-edge of both parties in battery business, as well as to secure a long-term energy storage system technology in Thailand and in global markets.

This collaboration is between CATL, a global leader of new energy innovative technologies, and ARUN PLUS, a wholly owned subsidiary of PTT Public Company Limited (PTT,) with the aim to focus on the EV value chain business. According to the MOU, CATL will authorize its Cell-to-Pack (CTP) technology to Arun Plus and both parties will explore the opportunity both in Thailand and other countries around the world. Read More–>


State Energy Data System (SEDS) estimates of total energy consumption, prices, and expenditures, as well as other energy indicators, are available through 2020 at SEDS Updates. Total energy consumption and expenditures are the sums of the consumption and expenditure estimates for all energy sources. SEDS calculates average total energy prices as total expenditures divided by total adjusted consumption, which removes all process fuel, intermediate products, and sources with no direct fuel cost. Other energy indicators include population, GDP (both real and current-dollar), and cooling and heating degree days.

Data highlights for 2020 include:

U.S. total energy consumption equaled 93 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu), a 7% decrease from 2019. The top consuming states were Texas (whose consumption accounted for 15% of the U.S. total), California (7%), Louisiana (5%), and Florida (4%).

U.S. energy prices averaged $16.25 per million Btu, a 10% decrease from 2019. U.S. average sector prices ranged from $8.73 per million Btu in the industrial sector to $23.80 per million Btu in the residential sector. Prices increased 3% in the residential sector but decreased in the other three end-use sectors: transportation (16%), industrial (12%), and commercial (1%). U.S. total energy expenditures fell from $1.2 trillion in 2019 to $1.0 trillion in 2020, an 18% decrease. The states with the largest expenditures were California and Texas (each accounted for 11% of the U.S. total) and Florida and New York (5% each). Read More


In response to a request on May 28th from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan issued an emergency fuel waiver to help alleviate fuel shortages in 34 Texas counties whose supply of low volatility gasoline has been impacted by a crude unit failure at the Delek Refinery in Tyler, Texas. As a result of the crude unit failure, Administrator Regan determined that extreme and unusual fuel supply circumstances exist and has granted a temporary waiver of specific fuel volatility requirements to help ensure that an adequate supply of gasoline is available in the affected areas until normal supply to the region can be restored. The waiver is effective immediately and will terminate on June 6, 2022.

The Clean Air Act allows EPA Administrator Regan, in consultation with the Department of Energy, to waive certain fuel requirements to address shortages under emergency conditions. As required by law, EPA and the Department of Energy (DOE) evaluated the situation and determined that granting a short-term waiver was consistent with the public interest. To mitigate any impacts on air quality, the Clean Air Act provides strict criteria for when fuel waivers may be granted and requires that waivers be limited as much as possible in terms of their geographic scope and duration. Read More


$500 Million for Clean School Buses Through U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Available for school districts and other eligible school bus operators and contractors to begin replacing the nation’s fleet of school buses with clean, American-made, zero-emission buses. This $500 million represents the first round of funding out of the unprecedented $5 billion investment for low and zero-emission school buses over the next five years, secured through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Read More


The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its annual “Top Cities” list, spotlighting the cities with the greatest number of ENERGY STAR certified commercial and multifamily buildings in 2021. Boston is once again in the top ten of national metropolitan areas and is recognized for its continuing commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions and save money through energy efficiency.

For 2021, Boston ranked the number 10 position among the list of top 25 U.S. metropolitan areas, with 184 buildings that were ENERGY STAR certified, a significant increase since 2010 when there were 30 ENERGY STAR certified buildings in Boston. Thanks to these buildings’ owners and managers, Massachusetts is cutting greenhouse gas emissions equal to emissions from 25,000 passenger vehicles and saving more than $70 million in annual utility bills. These savings also lead to significant reductions in sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOX), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), protecting the air we breathe.

“Climate change is having, and will continue to have, a costly impact on cities. Buildings are an essential focus of urban strategies to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that contributes to the climate crisis,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “By working with EPA, the owners and managers of ENERGY STAR certified buildings are taking concrete actions that will reduce emissions, save on their energy bills, and help protect their cities for the future.” Read More


Rivian and Tread Lightly! are partnering to put trail stewardship at the center of the Rivian off-roading experience, working in collaboration to demonstrate how to off-road responsibly in an electric vehicle. Along with joining Tread Lightly! to support and amplify the organization’s principles about responsible recreation and minimizing impact, Rivian is building a team of Master Tread Trainers who are leading Rivian’s efforts to educate its customers, community and employees about off-roading T.R.E.A.D. Principles while training others along the way. More


Great Wall Steel Company’s carbon emission reduction target: strive to reach carbon peak by 2023 and carbon neutral by 2050.

First, open up the low-carbon development path of the iron and steel industry with scientific and technological innovation. The establishment of the global Low-carbon metallurgy Innovation Alliance can create a global low-carbon metallurgy innovation technology exchange platform; Build a global low-carbon metallurgical innovation test base to promote technological cooperation in the upstream and downstream industrial chain of steel, and boost the sustainable development of the steel industry.

Second, achieve the ultimate carbon utilization efficiency with wisdom and quality. The digital intelligence system breaks the boundary of time and space, crossing the boundary of management, promoting the interconnection and sharing of processes, realizing the efficient utilization of resources and energy, and providing the society with greener and higher quality steel and related new materials. Third, set up the awareness of carbon reduction to promote the low-carbon life of all staff. Encourage green travel CD action, garbage sorting, afforestation, video conference and other low-carbon actions Read More


Great Wall Steel

Hyundai Steel has developed a 1.5-gigapascals martensite steel plate for automobiles.

Recently, Hyundai Steel announced that it has developed a 1.5-gigapascals martensitic steel plate for automobiles, which is significantly improved in flatness and crack resistance compared to similar products. For effective differentiation, the product is designated as a high-grade 1.5 Gigapasic martensitic plate. It is reported that a 1.5-gigapascals martensitic steel plate needs rapid cooling to ensure high strength in the manufacturing process and the flatness of the steel plate will be reduced. In the process of using, due to hydrogen penetration which produces the crack, quality is difficult to guarantee and in the field of the automotive plate, the manufacturing application is also very limited. To solve these problems, Hyundai Steel optimized the combination of the alloying element from the raw material production stage, and developed heat treatment techniques that replace rapid cooling and minimize hydrogen permeability, thereby reducing the probability of crack generation. Read More


Algeria’s national oil company Sonatrach has signed a $490 million production sharing contract with China’s Sinopec, covering the Zarzaitine area in the basin of Illizi. Sonatrach’s CEO Tewfik Hakkar said that the 25-year deal would secure 95 million barrels of oil overall. Read More


Boeing [NYSE:BA] and Ethiopian Airlines today announced the carrier is further expanding its all-Boeing freighter fleet with an order for five 777 Freighters. The order is currently unidentified on Boeing’s orders and deliveries website. “The addition of these five 777 Freighters into our cargo fleet will enable us to meet the growing demand in our cargo operation. While cementing our partnership with Boeing with new orders, the growth of our freighter fleet takes the capacity and efficiency of our shipment service to the next level,” said Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr. Mesfin Tasew. “We always strive to serve our customers with the latest technology aircraft the aviation industry could offer. Our cargo terminal is Africa’s largest, coupled with fuel-efficient freighters and well-trained cargo handling professionals will enable our customers get the best quality shipment service. Customers can rely on Ethiopian for wide-ranging cargo services across five continents.” Boeing’s market-leading 777 Freighter is the world’s largest, longest-range and most capable twin-engine freighter flying with 17% lower fuel use and emissions to prior airplanes. Ethiopian Airlines operates a fleet of nine 777 Freighters, utilizing the model’s range of 4,970 nautical miles (9,200 km) and maximum structural payload of 107 tonnes (235,900 lb) to connect Africa with 66 dedicated cargo centers throughout Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas. “Ethiopian Airlines’ all-Boeing freighter fleet provides them with unrivalled capability and flexibility as Africa’s largest cargo operator,” said Ihssane Mounir, Boeing’s senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. “These additional 777 Freighters will enable Ethiopian to capitalize on near-term cargo demand, while positioning the airline for further expansion in the future.” Read More


Boeing’s [NYSE: BA] CST-100 Starliner spacecraft landed at the U.S. Army’s White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico at 5:49 p.m. Central Time. The safe return to Earth brings a close to the successful end-to-end uncrewed orbital flight test that was flown to demonstrate the quality and performance of the transportation system prior to crewed flights.

“We have had an excellent flight test of a complex system that we expected to learn from along the way and we have,” said Mark Nappi, vice president and program manager, Boeing Commercial Crew Program. “Thank you to the NASA and Boeing teammates who have put so much of themselves into Starliner.”

The flight test completed today began May 19 with a launch from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. Capabilities the Starliner demonstrated included:

End-to-end performance of the Atlas V rocket and Starliner spacecraft through launch, ascent, on-orbit, re-entry and landing; Starliner’s autonomous software and the on-orbit operation of its avionics system, docking system, communications/telemetry systems, environmental control systems, solar arrays, electrical power systems, and propulsion systems;
Ability to hold docking attitude, receive commands from the space station crew, and command holds and retreats during final station approach;
Battery charging, hatch open and close, establishing joint ventilation with the station, file transfer and cargo transfer. Read More


Mooreast Holdings Ltd (SGX:1V3) announced plans to expand its mooring and rigging solutions product portfolio and to enhance partnerships with international players in order to extend its value proposition to the global floating offshore renewable energy sector.

The Board of Directors of Mooreast Holdings Ltd. would like to update shareholders on several developments in the Group’s business and growth strategies since the release of its financial performance for the year ended 31 December 2021 (FY2021) in February 2022. The full announcement to the SGX is appended below:

Having successfully completed its Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the Singapore Exchange Catalist Board on 24 November 2021, the Group intends to leverage its listed status and stronger balance sheet to strengthen its foothold within the global floating offshore renewable energy sector. These post-IPO strategies include:

(I) expanding its product portfolio of mooring and rigging solutions to better support renewable energy customers;(ii) establishing collaborations with international companies involved in the sector; and (iii) enhancing capabilities within its newly established Yard Division at its new premises at 51 Shipyard Road in Singapore.

New Products for the Renewable Sector Mooreast has been actively developing and marketing a suite of innovative mooring and rigging solutions catering to various markets, with particular focus on floating renewable platforms. Read More


On Thursday July 28th 2022 at 07:00 BST (08:00 CEST and 02:00 EDT) Shell plc will release its second quarter results and second quarter interim dividend announcement for 2022. Read More


Oil, Gas, Energy News Release Service

Baker Hughes Rig Count: U.S. -1 to 727 Canada +15 at 103

RegionPeriodRig CountChange from Prior
U.S.A27 May 2022727-1
Canada27 May 2022103+15
InternationalApril 2022806
Baker Hughes

F-150 Lightning trucks are now being built for customers across America. F-150 Lightning is the fastest-accelerating F-150 yet and the only full-size electric pickup available now with a starting price less than $40,000.

Built at the ultra-modern Rouge Electric Vehicle Center within Ford’s historic Rouge Complex, F-150 Lightning is the only electric vehicle that is Built Ford Tough. Ford F-Series has been America’s best-selling truck for 45 years in a row and is second only to the iPhone in revenue among all American consumer products, according to a 2020 study. Ford has unprecedented demand for F-150 Lightning with 200,000 reservations and is expanding the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center to ramp up production to a planned annual run rate of 150,000 in 2023. The company has invested a total of $950 million and created 750 jobs at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center. Ford’s investment in Michigan for F-150 Lightning alone now totals more than $1 billion, with 1,700 recently created jobs spread among five Ford plants in the state, including Van Dyke Electric Powertrain Center, where Lightning electric motors and electric transaxles are assembled, and Rawsonville Components Plant, where Lightning batteries are assembled. Read More


Ford Chief Financial Officer John Lawler will provide an update on the company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation during a fireside chat with auto analyst Emmanuel Rosner at the Deutsche Bank 2022 Global Automotive Conference. The conference will take place on June 15, at 10:15 a.m. ET. Lawler will explain how the recently announced restructuring will help Ford leverage its foundational strengths – including the most compelling global lineup in the company’s history – and investments in new capabilities to lead in connected, electric vehicles and services. Read More


Emerson (NYSE: EMR) and Toyota Australia have collaborated to transform part of Toyota Australia’s operations into a commercial-grade hydrogen production, storage and refueling plant. The project, supported by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), adopts Emerson’s automation expertise to provide the control system that helps Toyota Australia demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of manufacturing hydrogen fuels, including the use of renewable solar energy. As low and zero-emission vehicles capture an ever-greater share of the market, countries around the globe need to expand access to renewable fuels like hydrogen. Sustainable hydrogen projects are challenging because they need to integrate many data sources into one balance-of-plant system, a process that’s critical for a facility’s success. Read More


RES, has announced a collaboration with Alight, a leading solar PPA provider, to develop and deliver new solar projects in Sweden. Together RES and Alight aim to accelerate the energy transition through multiple solar projects in the middle and southern parts of Sweden.

By sharing knowledge and experience, RES and Alight will improve the development process for solar projects in Sweden. RES has a long track record of developing, constructing and operating renewable projects in the Nordics as well as globally. Having developed over 2,5 GW of solar globally, RES has now partnered up with Alight, who has vast expertise of both onsite and offsite solar assets, to expand development in the Nordics. The partnership aims to result in a total of 200-300 MW large scale solar projects within the coming years. Read More


The Board of Directors of Mooreast Holdings Ltd. would like to update shareholders on several developments in the Group’s business and growth strategies since the release of its financial performance for the year ended 31 December 2021 (FY2021) in February 2022.

Having successfully completed its Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the Singapore Exchange Catalist Board on 24 November 2021, the Group intends to leverage its listed status and stronger balance sheet to strengthen its foothold within the global floating offshore renewable energy sector. These post-IPO strategies include:

(I) expanding its product portfolio of mooring and rigging solutions to better support renewable energy customers;
(ii) establishing collaborations with international companies involved in the sector; and
(iii) enhancing capabilities within its newly established Yard Division at its new premises at 51 Shipyard Road in Singapore.

New Products for the Renewable Sector

Mooreast has been actively developing and marketing a suite of innovative mooring and rigging solutions catering to various markets, with particular focus on floating renewable platforms.

Anchors

In the 2nd quarter of 2022, the Group, through its subsidiary Mooreast Europe, secured a EUR1 million (approximately S$1.46 million) order for MA9P anchors, the latest model designed and produced by Mooreast, for one of Bluewater Energy Services’ projects. Bluewater Energy Services, founded in 1978, is headquartered in The Netherlands. With the anchors expected to be delivered by the end of August 2022, the contract underscores the rapid market acceptance of our proprietary design which debuted in January 2022. The Group foresees its MA9 anchors becoming one of the core anchor models for the floating wind energy market due to their versatility and high holding capacity.

Floating Solar Farm Solution

The Group has also successfully completed a tank test for Moorfloat, a proprietary solution catered to serve floating solar farms. Conducted by the National Maritime Research Institute in Japan, Moorfloat was tested to be able to withstand wave conditions of up to 3 metres, making it a resilient platform for developers to install offshore solar panels.

The breakthrough Moorfloat design overcomes several mooring limitations faced by many floating solar projects currently. Its modular design facilities also make it easy to transport. The floater can be used in remote areas, as well as an alternative to other floating infrastructure projects for on-grid and off-grid renewable energy generation. The Group aims to have a full-scale demonstration ready by end of 2022. Read More


OilandGasPress Energy Newsbites and Analysis Roundup |Compiled by: OGP Staff, Segun Cole @oilandgaspress.

Disclaimer: News articles reported on OilAndGasPress are a reflection of what is published in the media. OilAndGasPress is not in a position to verify the accuracy of daily news articles. The materials provided are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to provide tax, legal, or investment advice.

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