The incoming Trump administration plans to start its term with around 100 executive orders many of which will be directed at unleashing America's "energy dominance." Coming at a time when oil and gas production in the U.S.
Analyst Insights
Analyst Insights are unique perspectives provided by RBN analysts about energy markets developments. The Insights may cover a wide range of information, such as industry trends, fundamentals, competitive landscape, or other market rumblings. These Insights are designed to be bite-size but punchy analysis so that readers can stay abreast of the most important market changes.
U.S. crude oil exports averaged 2.8 MMb/d last week, a decrease of 554 Mb/d from the prior week and the lowest rate since early November.
U.S. LNG feedgas demand averaged 13.87 Bcf/d last week, about the same as the previous week, with slightly higher flows at Plaquemines, Sabine Pass and Corpus Christi offset by lower flows at Cove Point and Freeport.
Propane prices have surged as freezing weather tightens supply. The propane-to-crude ratio is climbing fast—how far will it go?
The U.S. propane market is feeling the strain from severe cold weather, driving demand to seasonal highs. While primary storage remains robust, secondary resupply logistics are critical to sustaining supply.
Constellation Energy said January 10 it will acquire privately held Calpine in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $26.6 billion, giving the combined company about 60 gigawatts (GW) of power generation capacity from no- or low-emissions sources at a time when power demand is expected to rise thanks t
After five consecutive weeks at 589, US oil and gas rig count fell to 584 for the week ending January 10 according to Baker Hughes data, a decline of five. Rigs were added in the Anadarko (+3), while the Eagle Ford (-3), Niobrara (-1) and All Other (-4) all lost rigs.
Re-exports of Canadian heavy crude oil recovered to 83 Mb/d in November, up from a four-year low of zero in October, and 142 Mb/d less than a year ago, according to data published by the U.S. Census Bureau.
For the week ending January 10, Baker Hughes reported that the Western Canadian gas-directed rig rose 22 to 72 (blue line and text in left hand chart below), eight less than one year ago and its largest one-week increase since the beginning of 2021.
Oil production has begun at Shell and Chevron’s Whale platform in the Gulf of Mexico, the companies announced January 9. The platform sits in more than 8,600 feet of water in Alaminos Canyon Block 773, about 200 miles southwest of Houston.
Canadian crude imports into the U.S. hit a record high weekly volume for the week ended January 3, surging by 690 Mb/d to reach 4.42 MMb/d. This significant increase in Canadian imports occurred despite an overall decline in crude imports by 500 Mb/d to 6.43 MMb/d.
Alberta’s crude oil output in November 2024 reached a record high of 4.20 MMb/d (pink dashed rectangle in chart below), inching out ahead of the prior record holder of 4.19 MMb/d set in December 2023 (black dashed rectangle) according to data released by the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER).
Due to cold weather throughout the country, propane prices increased during the past week, settling at 86 c/gal on January 7. Mont Belvieu (non-TET) propane prices increased by 5 c/gal, or 7% and Conway propane prices increased by 9 c/gal or 12%.
Plains All American Pipeline has entered into three separate bolt-on acquisitions for an aggregate cash consideration of approximately $670 million. These acquisitions further bolster Plains' crude oil infrastructure footprint in the Permian, Eagle Ford and Midcontinent.
Permian Basin crude oil flows to Houston extended their recovery in August 2024, according to the latest monthly data from the Texas Railroad Commission, rebounding from the sharp decline in June — the lowest volume since September 2023 (see blue line in chart below).
The ratio of NGL prices to crude oil started the year at the highest level since September 2022, as shown in the right graph below, green dashed oval. This NGL-to-crude metric is the average per barrel price of a basket of Mont Belvieu NGLs divided by the price of Cushing NYMEX domestic sweet (WT
US oil and gas rig count begins 2025 at 589 rigs, down 32 from the opening week of 2024. Rig count was unchanged from the prior week, marking a streak of four consecutive weeks with no change.
For the week ending January 3, Baker Hughes reported that the Western Canadian gas-directed rig count fell one to 50 (blue circle in left hand chart below), 17 less than one year ago and its lowest level since early June 2023.
WBI Energy is considering developing a new pipeline that would take natural gas from the Bakken to the east in North Dakota.