Commercial energy use increased in eight states in 2021 over pre-pandemic levels

More energy was consumed in the commercial sectors of eight U.S. states in 2021 than in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. The increases in commercial sector end-use energy consumption in those states bucked the national trend, in which total commercial energy use decreased by 3% in 2021 compared with 2019, according to our State Energy Data System. More »

Difference in natural gas prices between Texas and Henry Hub narrowed in first half 2023

In the first half of 2023 (1H23), natural gas spot prices at Texas hubs traded closer to the U.S. benchmark Henry Hub than in the second half of 2022 (2H22). The price difference narrowed in 1H23 because both Freeport LNG and the El Paso Natural Gas Company's Line 2000 returned to service in February 2023 and because natural gas production increased at a slower pace than in 2022. The Houston Ship Channel—a key regional trading hub for natural gas in East Texas—averaged $0.27 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) below the U.S. benchmark Henry Hub price in 1H23. Similarly, the Waha Hub in West Texas, in the Permian Basin production region, averaged $0.85/MMBtu below Henry Hub. More »

U.S. uranium production up in 2022 after reaching record lows in 2021

Uranium concentrate (U₃O₈) production in the United States was nearly 10 times higher than the previous year in 2022, partly as a result of higher uranium prices. U.S. U₃O₈ production remained near historic lows despite operations resuming at the White Mesa Mill, the United States’ only operating conventional uranium mill. More »

Summer Midwest distillate inventories rise amid high production and transit constraints

Midwest distillate inventories increased rapidly in June and early July due to increased regional refinery production and limitations on moving distillate and other products outside the region. Distillate fuel oil includes products such as diesel fuel and heating oil. In the five weeks between June 9 and July 14, regional distillate inventories increased 18% (4.7 million barrels). Prior to June, Midwest regional inventories had been trending near or below the bottom of the previous five-year (2018–22) range. More »

Higher energy prices push United States energy trade with Canada to record-high value

In 2022, the value of energy trade between the United States and Canada surpassed the previous 2008 record high on the back of high commodity prices, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. By volume, 2022 energy trade between the two countries remained nearly unchanged from 2021. However, in 2022, because energy prices were high, energy trade between the United States and Canada totaled $190 billion when adjusted for inflation, compared with $134 billion in 2021 and $178 billion in 2008. Energy trade value is the combined value of energy imports and exports between two countries. Trade value is driven by both commodity prices and the commodity volumes imported and exported. More »

First-quarter capital spending by public U.S. oil companies up, cash from operations down

Financial results for 40 publicly traded U.S. oil exploration and production (E&P) companies show capital expenditure in the first quarter of 2023 increased from the fourth quarter of 2022, even though cash from operations declined. Previously, rising crude oil prices in the first half of 2022 had driven increased production and had helped companies post multiyear highs for cash from operations. Capital expenditure growth had been much slower over the past two years. More »