- Key Market Prices
- WTI Gained 4.3% Closing at US$89.70/bbl
- Public Policy
- EPA to Conduct Five ‘Listening Sessions’ on Updating GHG Standards
- Vilsack Updates USDA’s Renewable Energy Development Efforts
- India Fuel Adulteration Mafia Murders Government Raider
- Citgo Touts 2011 Version of Heating Oil Discount Program
- Margins & Economics
- John Podesta Joins Joule’s Board of Directors
- WTI, Brent Surge on Concern Egyptian Unrest Will Spread
- Gulf Coast 3-2-1 Crack Spread Up 19% for Week Ending January 21
- Gulf Coast Aromatic Prices Mixed for Week Ending January 28
- Fuels & Processing
- Lux Research: Bioplastics, Biofuels Partnership Opportunities ‘Drying Up’
- New JV Formed to Accelerate Emerging Energy Technology
- UNICA: December 2010 Sugar Cane Harvest Reached 555 Million Tons
- European Commission: Alt-Fuels Could Replace Fossil Fuels by 2050
- PetroChina Unveils Euro-5 Fuel Production Plan
Fuels & Processing
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Lux Research: Bioplastics, Biofuels Partnership Opportunities ‘Drying Up’
According to a new report from Lux Research, rising economic and business pressures, encroaching corporate competitors and stiffening regulations threaten to force many bioplastics and biofuels start-ups out of the game, while a select few will go on to find commercial success.
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New JV Formed to Accelerate Emerging Energy Technology
Three major American energy corporations – GE, NRG Energy, Inc. and ConocoPhillips – have teamed to form Energy Technology Ventures, a joint venture for emerging and innovative energy technology companies. The companies have committed US$300 million in capital to fund about 30 venture- and growth-stage companies over the next four years.
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UNICA: December 2010 Sugar Cane Harvest Reached 555 Million Tons
The Brazilian Sugar cane Industry Association (UNICA) reported January 19 that sugar cane crushing in the South-Central region of Brazil totaled 2.44 million tons in the second half of December 2010, a 76.39% drop in relation to the same period in 2009.
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European Commission: Alt-Fuels Could Replace Fossil Fuels by 2050
An “expert group” report for the European Commission released January 25 finds that alternative fuels could replace fossil fuels in Europe by 2050.
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PetroChina Unveils Euro-5 Fuel Production Plan
PetroChina announced January 27 that Euro-5 (10 parts per million sulfur) fuel would account for 50% of its total fuels output from its Dalian Petrochemical plant from 2011 to 2015.
Feature
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Egypt Jitters Spill Over to U.S. Energy Sector, Stock Market
Escalating violence in Egypt pushed oil and natural gas futures higher on January 28 and sparked concern the unrest might spread to other Middle Eastern countries where oil and natural gas firms – including Apache Corp., BG Group plc, Noble Energy and Occidental Petroleum Corp. – have operations.
Key Market Prices
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WTI Gained 4.3% Closing at US$89.70/bbl
Transportation & Logistics
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Sandia Researchers Tailoring Fugi-Based Biofuels to Needs of Combustion Engines
Engine experts and biofuels researchers at Sandia National Laboratories are working on a project that aims to modify an endophytic fungus so that it will produce fuel-type hydrocarbons for transportation purposes, the lab reported January 19.
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Volvo to Debut Diesel PHEV in 2012
Volvo announced January 27 that it will launch commercial marketing of the “V60” diesel plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) in 2012, following a first showing at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show in March.
Margins & Economics
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John Podesta Joins Joule’s Board of Directors
Joule Unlimited, Inc. announced the election of John Podesta to its board of directors January 18.
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WTI, Brent Surge on Concern Egyptian Unrest Will Spread
NYMEX light sweet crude for March delivery closed at US$89.70 per barrel (/bbl), up $3.70 on January 28, in response to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and pre-weekend short covering.
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Gulf Coast 3-2-1 Crack Spread Up 19% for Week Ending January 21
The 3-2-1 crack spread for the Gulf Coast was up 19% from US$13.83 per barrel (/bbl) to $16.43/bbl for the week ending January 21.
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Gulf Coast Aromatic Prices Mixed for Week Ending January 28
U.S. Gulf Coast aromatic spot prices and other markets were mixed for the week ending January 28.
Public Policy
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EPA to Conduct Five ‘Listening Sessions’ on Updating GHG Standards
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold five listening sessions to help the agency update the Clean Air Act pollution standards to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution from fossil fuel power plants and petroleum refineries.
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Vilsack Updates USDA’s Renewable Energy Development Efforts
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on January 20 announced several measures the U.S. Department of Agriculture is taking to further the development of renewable energy: funding to help with the construction of three new biorefineries; funding for renewable energy feasibility studies in 27 states; and about US$15 million in payments that will go to advanced biofuels producers.
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India Fuel Adulteration Mafia Murders Government Raider
An Indian government official investigating adulteration of diesel and gasoline with relatively low-taxed kerosene was burned to death January 25 by gangsters.
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Citgo Touts 2011 Version of Heating Oil Discount Program
Citgo announced January 27 that it has started the sixth straight year of its heating oil discount program with Boston-based Citizens Energy.
