U.S. natural gas production resilient to market changes in 2015, but has fallen in 2016

U.S. dry natural gas production continued to increase in 2015, reaching 74.1 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d). This record-high level was a 4.5% (3.2 Bcf/d) increase over 2014, according to EIA’s "Natural Gas Annual", which provides final production data for 2015. More »

U.S. oil and natural gas proved reserves declined in 2015 because of lower prices

U.S. crude oil proved reserves declined 4.7 billion barrels (11.8%) from their year-end 2014 levels to 35.2 billion barrels at year-end 2015, according to EIA's recently released U.S. Crude Oil and Natural Gas Proved Reserves report. More »

New EIA survey collects data on production and sales of wood pellets

During the first half of 2016, U.S. manufacturers produced approximately 3.3 million tons of wood pellets and sold 3.1 million tons, mostly to foreign markets, according to data from EIA’s newly released Densified Biomass Fuel Report. More »

EIA forecasts continued biomass-based diesel growth due to final 2017 RFS targets

On November 23, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its final rule for the 2017 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program year, with higher targets than those initially proposed in May. EPA increased both the advanced biofuels and total renewable fuel targets while keeping the cellulosic biofuel and biomass-based diesel targets unchanged. More »

Winter residential electricity consumption expected to increase from last winter

EIA’s Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) projects that the average residential customer will consume 4% more electricity over December through March compared with the same period last winter. However, this forecast is highly dependent on winter temperatures. If temperatures are warmer than expected, as they have been the past two months, average electricity use could be slightly below that of the previous winter. More »

Recent OPEC agreement reflected in EIA forecast issued earlier this week

In EIA’s December Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), both the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent crude oil 2017 price forecasts increased by about $1 per barrel (b) from the November STEO, with prices expected to average $51/b and $52/b, respectively. More »

EIA adds population density layers to U.S. Energy Mapping System

EIA’s U.S. Energy Mapping System and related interactive state maps now include two new layers showing population density to complement layers that already display energy infrastructure, energy resources, storm tracks, and flood hazard areas. More »

About 30% of distributed solar capacity is owned by third parties

Distributed solar capacity in the United States, which includes all solar power capacity other than utility-scale installations 1 MW or larger, totaled 12.3 gigawatts (GW) as of September. About 30% of that amount (3.7 GW) was owned by third-party owners. Third-party owners are private companies that provide either solar electricity or equipment to generate it to building owners or tenants, typically with little or no upfront costs. More »

New England natural gas pipeline capacity increases for the first time since 2010

Spectra Energy Corporation has almost completed the first two natural gas pipeline projects in New England since 2010. On November 1, Spectra placed part of the Algonquin Incremental Market (AIM) project into service, following the late-October approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The remainder of the project is expected to be completed this month. More »

Thanksgiving holiday causes unique electricity usage patterns across the country

In terms of electricity usage, Thanksgiving Day is one of the most unusual days of the year. Typically at this time of year, electric loads in most regions have a small peak in the morning and a larger peak in the evening. On Thanksgiving, however, the largest peak of the day occurs closer to midday as many Americans gather to celebrate the holiday. More »

Federal leasing for offshore wind grows as first U.S. offshore wind farm comes online

The first commercial U.S. offshore wind farm, Block Island, is scheduled to come online in late 2016. Located three miles off the southeastern coast of Rhode Island, Block Island consists of five wind turbines that will produce 30 megawatts of electricity. The electricity will be used on Block Island, where electricity is currently supplied by diesel-powered generators. More »

New U.S. border-crossing pipelines bring shale gas to more regions in Mexico

U.S. pipeline capacity for natural gas exports to Mexico has rapidly expanded in the past few years and currently stands at 7.3 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d). This existing cross-border capacity primarily supplies the Northeast and Central regions of Mexico. New capacity projected to be completed in the next several years will help to supply Mexico’s Central and Northwestern regions. More »