Within the past week
Major utilities continue to increase spending on U.S. electric distribution systems
Jul 20, 2018
Spending on electricity distribution systems by major U.S. electric utilities—representing about 70% of total U.S. electric load—has risen 54% over the past two decades, from $31 billion to $51 billion annually. This increase has been largely driven by increases in capital investment. From 1996 to 2017, annual capital investment by these utilities for electric distribution systems nearly doubled, which was similar to increases in transmission investment over the same time period.
State Energy Profiles: New monthly data for April and May 2018, new annual data, and updated Profile Analyses and Quick Facts
Jul 19, 2018
New monthly data are available for electricity, petroleum, natural gas, and coal. New annual data are available for total energy production, ethanol production, total energy consumption per capita, and total energy expenditures per capita. In addition, Profile Analyses and Quick Facts have been updated for Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and Vermont.
Crossover utility vehicles overtake cars as the most popular light-duty vehicle type
Jul 19, 2018
Trends in the sales shares of new light-duty vehicles by vehicle type have continued as the crossover utility vehicle (CUV) share of light-duty vehicles has increased, largely at the expense of cars, despite increases in gasoline prices over the previous two years. In each month since September 2017, sales of CUVs have exceeded those of cars, a class that includes sedans, hatchbacks, and sports cars.
Wholesale Electricity and Natural Gas Market Data
Jul 19, 2018
This site contains spreadsheets with wholesale electricity and natural gas data from eight major trading hubs that cover most regions of the United States. The data are through July 17, 2018 and are republished, with permission, from the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE).
Permian region natural gas prices fall as production continues to grow
Jul 18, 2018
The natural gas spot price spread between the Permian Basin, as priced at the Waha Hub in western Texas, and the U.S. national benchmark Henry Hub in Louisiana has grown considerably in the past year. Natural gas prices at Waha are nearly a dollar per million British thermal units (MMBtu) lower than Henry Hub prices. This spread widened as the ability to transport the increased natural gas production in the Permian Basin in western Texas and southeastern New Mexico was constrained by existing pipeline capacity.
Volcanic lava flows continue to affect geothermal power generation on Hawaii’s Big Island
Jul 17, 2018
Lava flows from the Kilauea volcano on the island of Hawaii led to the shutdown of the Puna Geothermal Venture (PGV) power plant on May 3, 2018. The 38-megawatt (MW) facility is the only geothermal plant on the island, and it produced about 29% of the island’s electricity generation in 2017. The plant voluntarily ceased operations ahead of the approaching lava flow.
Monthly Densified Biomass Fuel Report
Jul 17, 2018
Data for wood pellet and other densified biomass fuel production, sales, and inventory levels from approximately 90 operating pellet fuel manufacturing facilities in the United States. Facilities with an annual capacity of 10,000 tons or more per year are required to report monthly.
Drilling Productivity Report
Jul 16, 2018
The Drilling Productivity Report (DPR) uses recent data on the total number of drilling rigs in operation along with estimates of drilling productivity and estimated changes in production from existing oil and natural gas wells to provide estimated changes in oil and natural gas production for seven key regions.
U.S. refinery capacity virtually unchanged between 2017 and 2018
Jul 16, 2018
As of January 1, 2018, U.S. operable atmospheric crude distillation capacity totaled 18.6 million barrels per calendar day (b/cd), a slight decrease of 0.1% since the beginning of 2017 according to EIA’s annual Refinery Capacity Report. Annual operable crude oil distillation unit (CDU) capacity had increased slightly in each of the five years before 2018.
South Korea Country Analysis Brief
Jul 16, 2018
South Korea, which lacks domestic energy reserves, ranks among the world’s top five importers of liquefied natural gas, coal, and petroleum and other liquids. Despite its lack of resources, South Korea has some of the most advanced oil refineries in the world, and its companies have investments in overseas oil and natural gas assets.
Within the past 30 days
The United States continues to export MTBE, mainly to Mexico, Chile, and Venezuela
Jul 13, 2018
U.S. exports of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), a motor gasoline additive, totaled 38,000 barrels per day (b/d) in 2017, primarily to Mexico, Chile, and Venezuela. MTBE was once commonly used in the United States but was phased out in the late 2000s as a result of water contamination concerns. Since then, fuel ethanol has replaced MTBE as a gasoline additive.
Financial Review: First-Quarter 2018
Jul 12, 2018
This analysis focuses on the financial and operating trends of 108 global oil and natural gas companies from 2013 through the first quarter of 2018.
Wind generators’ cost declines reflect technology improvements and siting decisions
Jul 12, 2018
Between 2010 and 2016, the capacity-weighted average cost (real 2016$) of U.S. wind installations declined by one-third, from $2,361 per kilowatt (kW) to $1,587/kW, based on analysis in the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s (DOE/EERE) Wind Technology Market Report. The reasons for this decline include improving technology and manufacturing capability and an increasing concentration of builds in the regions of the United States with the lowest installation costs.
Natural gas-fired electricity generation this summer expected to be near record high
Jul 11, 2018
EIA’s July 2018 Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) expects natural gas-fired power plants to supply 37% of U.S. electricity generation this summer (June, July, and August), near the record-high natural gas-fired generation share in summer 2016. EIA forecasts the share of generation from coal-fired power plants will drop slightly to 30% in summer 2018, continuing a multi-year trend of lower coal-fired electricity generation.
Short-Term Energy Outlook
Jul 10, 2018
Brent crude oil spot prices averaged $74 per barrel (b) in June, a decrease of almost $3/b from the May average. EIA forecasts Brent spot prices will average $73/b in the second half of 2018 and will average $69/b in 2019. EIA expects West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices will average $6/b lower than Brent prices in the second half of 2018 and $7/b lower in 2019. NYMEX WTI futures and options contract values for October 2018 delivery that traded during the five-day period ending July 5, 2018, suggest a range of $56/b to $87/b encompasses the market expectation for October WTI prices at the 95% confidence level.
China is a key destination for increasing U.S. energy exports
Jul 10, 2018
In recent years, as its domestic energy consumption has grown, China has become a more significant destination for U.S. energy exports. In particular, China has been among the largest importers of U.S. exports of crude oil, propane, and liquefied natural gas.
EIA adds Puerto Rico data to its U.S. power plant inventory
Jul 9, 2018
EIA has added existing, retired, and proposed power plants in Puerto Rico to its Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory. This EIA report includes generating units at power plants with a combined nameplate capacity of one megawatt (MW) or greater.
Quarterly Coal Report (QCR), January - March 2018
Jul 6, 2018
U.S. coal production during first-quarter 2018 totaled 186.8 million short tons. This level was 3.7% lower than the previous quarter and 5.2% lower than first-quarter 2017. First-quarter 2018 U.S. coal exports (27.2 million short tons) decreased 3.5% from the fourth-quarter 2017 level and increased 22.0% from the first-quarter 2017 level. U.S. coal imports in first-quarter 2018 totaled 1.4 million short tons. All data for 2016 and prior years are final. All data for 2017 and 2018 are preliminary.
Quarterly Coal Distribution Report (QCDR) – First-Quarter 2018
Jul 6, 2018
The Quarterly Coal Distribution Report (QCDR) provides detailed U.S. domestic coal distribution data for Jan – Mar 2018, 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.
Wholesale Electricity and Natural Gas Market Data
Jul 5, 2018
This site contains spreadsheets with wholesale electricity and natural gas data from eight major trading hubs that cover most regions of the United States. The data are through July 3, 2018 and are republished, with permission, from the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE).
Petroleum, natural gas, and coal still dominate U.S. energy consumption
Jul 3, 2018
Fossil fuels—petroleum, natural gas, and coal—have accounted for at least 80% of energy consumption in the United States for well over a century. The fossil fuel share of total U.S. energy consumption in 2017 was the lowest share since 1902, at a little more than 80%, as U.S. fossil fuel consumption decreased for the third consecutive year.
Petroleum Marketing Monthly
Jul 2, 2018
The July 2018 Petroleum Marketing Monthly (PMM), with data through April 2018, presents monthly and annual price and volume statistics covering crude oil and refined products sales in the United States. In this issue of the PMM, preliminary April 2018 data show prices for crude oil and many of the surveyed petroleum products rose from March 2018 levels. Prime Supplier U.S.-level data show a slight month-on-month increase in the volume of gasoline sales, while data for other major refined products show a decrease in sales during April.
Coal plant retirements and high summer electricity demand lower Texas reserve margin
Jul 2, 2018
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), grid operator for most of the state of Texas, estimates a reserve margin of 11% for this summer—lower than previous years and ERCOT’s 13.75% reference reserve margin—indicating a smaller cushion of resources to meet summer peak demand and an increased risk of grid stress conditions. The lower anticipated reserve margin is mainly a result of three large coal plants retiring in early 2018 and forecasts of record-breaking summer electricity demand.
Monthly Biodiesel Production Report
Jun 29, 2018
Monthly national and regional biodiesel production data for April 2018. In addition to biodiesel production, data included producer sales, producer stocks, and feedstock inputs.
NERC’s Summer Reliability Assessment highlights seasonal electric reliability issues
Jun 29, 2018
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation's (NERC) recent 2018 Summer Reliability Assessment finds that there are enough resources to meet this summer's projected peak electricity demand in in all areas of the country except the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). Anticipated reserve margins—the amount of expected unused electric generating capacity at the time of peak load—range from a little less than 11% in ERCOT to about 33% in PJM Interconnection (PJM).
U.S. Movements of Crude Oil By Rail
Jun 29, 2018
Monthly data on rail movements of crude oil have been updated for April 2018. Crude oil movements by rail have significantly increased over the past five years. The data on crude-by-rail (CBR) movements are also fully integrated with EIA’s existing monthly petroleum supply statistics, which already include crude oil movements by pipeline, tanker, and barge.
State Energy Data System: Complete Set of State-Level Estimates Through 2016
Jun 29, 2018
The State Energy Data System now features annual state-level estimates of energy production, consumption, prices, and expenditures by energy source and by sector through 2016.
Natural Gas Monthly
Jun 29, 2018
In April 2018, for the eleventh consecutive month, dry natural gas production increased year to year for the same month a year ago. The preliminary level for dry natural gas production in April 2018 was 2,390 billion cubic feet (Bcf), or 79.7 Bcf/day. This level was 8.0 Bcf/day (11.1%) higher than the April 2017 level of 71.7 Bcf/day. The average daily rate of dry natural gas production for April was the highest for the month since EIA began tracking monthly dry production in 1973.
Petroleum Supply Monthly
Jun 29, 2018
Supply and disposition of crude oil and petroleum products on a national and regional level. The data series describe production, imports and exports, movements, and inventories.
Company Level Imports
Jun 29, 2018
Imports data at the company level collected from the EIA-814 Monthly Imports Report.
Monthly Crude Oil and Natural Gas Production
Jun 29, 2018
These monthly production estimates are based on data from the EIA-914, Monthly Crude Oil, Lease Condensate, and Natural Gas Production Report.
EIA study examines the role of high-voltage power lines in integrating renewables
Jun 28, 2018
A new study commissioned by EIA examines the role of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) lines in integrating renewables resources into the electric grid. The review indicates that, although applications in the current electric transmission network are limited, HVDC lines have a number of potential benefits including cost effectiveness, lower electricity losses, and the ability to handle overloads and prevent cascading failures. These attributes mean that HVDC lines could, if properly configured, help mitigate some operational issues associated with renewable generation.
EIA expects 2018 gasoline prices have peaked
Jun 27, 2018
U.S. regular-grade retail gasoline prices averaged $2.89 per gallon (gal) in June, down from a high of $2.96/gal on May 28. EIA estimates that gasoline prices will remain lower than the May 28 price for the rest of the summer, reaching $2.84/gal in September. Gasoline prices are often higher in summer months when gasoline demand is higher and when federal and state environmental regulations require the use of summer-grade gasoline, which is more expensive to manufacture. Following the summer, EIA expects gasoline prices to decline to $2.68/gal by December.
Monthly Energy Review
Jun 26, 2018
The Monthly Energy Review is EIA's comprehensive report on recent integrated energy statistics. Preliminary data indicate that, in March 2018, total carbon dioxide emissions from U.S. consumption of energy (excluding biomass) equaled 444 million metric tons. Of this total, petroleum accounted for 46%, natural gas for 34%, and coal for 20%.
EIA now publishes petroleum export data by U.S. region of origin and destination country
Jun 26, 2018
Starting with the May 2018 release of the Petroleum Supply Monthly, EIA now publishes U.S. petroleum export data by region, defined as Petroleum Administration for Defense District (PADD), of origin and by country of destination. Before this change, users could only see the total amount exported from each U.S. PADD, but not the actual destination associated with those PADD-level exports.
Electric Power Monthly
Jun 25, 2018
Data in the June 2018 Electric Power Monthly (EPM) are for April 2018, during which net generation in the United States rose 2.9 percent from the April 2017 level. Consumption of natural gas for power generation was up 13.1 percent compared to April 2017. The average residential retail price of electricity for April 2018 was up 1.6 percent from what it had been in April 2017.
Electricity Monthly Update
Jun 25, 2018
This month’s Electric Monthly Update contains data for April 2018 and a feature article on how dry cooling technology is an option for U.S. electricity generating plants.
Refinery Capacity Report
Jun 25, 2018
Data series include fuel, electricity, and steam purchased for consumption at the refinery; refinery receipts of crude oil by method of transportation; current and projected capacities for atmospheric crude oil distillation, downstream charge, production, and storage capacities. Respondents are operators of all operating and idle petroleum refineries (including new refineries under construction) and refineries shut down during the previous year, located in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and other U.S. possessions.
U.S. hydrocarbon gas liquids consumption increases as prices, expenditures decrease
Jun 25, 2018
Consumption of hydrocarbon gas liquids (HGL) in the United States totaled 928 million barrels in 2016, up about 12% since 2010. During the same time, total U.S. HGL prices fell by 47% and, consequently, expenditures decreased by about 41%. In 2016, total U.S. HGL expenditures were $32 billion, the lowest since 2003.
Oil company additions to proved reserves in 2017 were the highest since 2013
Jun 22, 2018
In 2017, a group of the world’s largest publicly traded oil and natural gas producers added more hydrocarbons to their resource base than in any year since 2013, according to the annual reports of 83 exploration and production companies. Collectively, these companies added a net 8.2 billion barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) to their proved reserves during 2017, which totaled 277 billion BOE at the end of the year.