An estimated 1.1 million gallons of crude oil have spilled into the Gulf of Mexico off the southeast coast of Louisiana. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) the discharge was reported around 9 AM Thursday (11/16) by Third Coast Midstream, operator of the Main Pass Oil Gathering system, which immediately shut down the 67-mile pipeline. Flyover operations conducted Thursday afternoon showed an oil slick approximately 3 to 4-miles wide in area about 19-miles from the Louisiana shoreline.
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The Treasure of the Sierra Madre - Mexico's Energy Strategy May Rest on Fate of Natural Gas Pipelines
A significant shift is underway within Mexico’s energy landscape, reflected by the development of large-scale oil and gas infrastructure projects in the country, particularly the Southeast Gateway and Sierra Madre gas pipelines that would move U.S.-sourced natural gas across Mexico. These projects — the first an undersea pipe in the Gulf of Mexico and the second a pipe across the country’s northern tier — would enhance Mexico’s gas transport capacity while supporting power generation and industrial development. Mexico, which is already heavily reliant on imports of U.S. gas, is forecast to see gas demand rise in the coming years as domestic production drops. In today’s RBN blog, we look at those two pipelines, their challenges, and how the potential for U.S. tariffs on Mexican imports might complicate the future of both projects.
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Don't You (Forget About Me) - Sandy's Legacy a Reminder That East Coast Also Faces Hurricane Risks
As the Atlantic hurricane season churns out storms that regularly threaten the U.S. Gulf Coast, it can be easy to forget that the East Coast — an important refining center and refined-products market — is not immune from their impact. A dozen years ago this month, Superstorm Sandy roared ashore in New Jersey, wreaking havoc with storm surges and fierce winds that stretched for 1,000 miles. While the East Coast lacks the Gulf Coast’s concentration of energy infrastructure, it is home to the critical New York Harbor (NYH) market. In today’s RBN blog, we will examine how storms have affected the refining sector on the East Coast.
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There's Floodin' Down in Texas - The Impact of Harvey on Crude Oil Markets
It has been a tragic week for the Gulf Coast, with months if not years of cleanup and rebuilding ahead of the region. But already, Houston, Corpus Christi, Port Arthur/Beaumont, Lake Charles and other affected areas are coming back online through the hard work of resilient Texans and Louisianans as well as aid coming in from across the country. And even though the energy industry is also moving quickly to put Hurricane Harvey in the rearview mirror, the damage and disruption have been extensive. It is still much too early to fully understand what has happened and how long the recovery is going to take. But with information that we can piece together from public statements, data analysis and conversations with knowledgeable market participants, it is possible to start developing an assessment of Harvey’s effects. That’s what we will tackle in today’s blog.
