Port Houston has an update on Project 11 and its standing on future federal funds.

Happy Monday and welcome back to another week of ESC News Blog!

Sorry for the long absence, nonetheless we are back with more interesting topics from around the energy and maritime industry.  Let’s get started!

We love an update on previous Blogs especially when it comes from such an important project as Project 11, please see our previous Blogs!  Back in May, Port Houston announced Project 11 was on schedule and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) had secured $131 million in its Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget for the project.  The USACE money will be allocated the following way: $33 million for Project 11 and another $98 million for Operations and Maintenance to deepen the channel and for maintenance on the channel. Well, it appears more good news has trickled down from the top for this important ship channel. 

Did anyone see the Port Houston’s Port Report Newsletter: Volume 25, Issue 6 on June 30, 2025, they have an announcement titled, “Houston Ship Channel Expansion – Project 11 Funded to Completion - Allocation in President’s FY26 Budget”?   The announcement is in regard to a Notice from Port Houston in regard to federal money for Project 11 and its completion costs.   They have been notified the President’s FY 2026 includes $53.6 million in funding for Operations and Maintenance (O&M) in its budget for the Houston Ship Channel (HSC).  This federal money is in addition to the money already allocated in the USACE has in their budget for this year.  

In addition, Port Houston has added to its milestones for Project 11.  Now with HSC dredging nearly being completed for Port Houston’s leg of Bayport Ship Channel and Barbours Cut Ship Channel daylight restrictions have been decreased for the channel in the area’s which are done.   USACE will be controlling the dredging from Barbours Cut and the upper Turning Basin and this part is expected to be finished by 2029.  Well, this is great news especially with all the uncertainty which has surrounded federal funding for many other projects around Texas and the country.  If you would like more information from the announcement from Port Houston; please click the link: Houston-Ship-Channel-Expansion-_-Project-11-Funded-to-Completion_-Final-with-Photo-1.pdf. 

If you would like help in looking into how to transport your product efficiently, safely, and with less of a carbon footprint from your terminal, contact us via email in the Blog and check out our ESC website!

We hope you have a wonderful evening and a great rest of your week!  Keep dry!

**Disclaimer: Please see the Port Houston’s Announcement for specific details. **

The Port of Corpus Christi has finally finished the Channel Improvement Project!

Happy Monday!  Welcome to another week of ESC News Blog!  It was another beautiful sunny day in the city! 

You know we love a follow-up!  We haven’t really heard much on one of our previous Blogs since January 2023, when the Port of Corpus Christi announced the awardee of the final phase of the Corpus Christi Channel Improvement Project (CIP) and the expected completion date of 2025.   Well, the wait is over!

Did anyone see the Port of Corpus Christi announcement on June 2, 2025, it was titled, “Port of Corpus Christi Completes Milestone Ship Channel Improvement Project, Reinforcing U.S. as Leader in Energy Exports”?  In the press release, they speak of a celebration which happened for the end of Corpus Christi Channel Improvement Project (CIP).  The project has finished the channel improvement which lowered the channel to 54 feet Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) from 47 feet, in addition the channel was broadened from 400 to 530 feet with extra barge shelves to allow for larger vessels to come into port.  CIP started construction in 2017 and the final cost was $625 million.  CIP was a public-private partnership which shows what happens when we work together for a common goal.  The investment made on this project has made the Port of Corpus Christi the primary United States crude oil export portal to the world as well as making it the third biggest crude port around the world by it exporting 2.4 million barrels a day.  In addition, the improvements have helped it move to the #2 position in the U.S. for liquified natural gas (LNG) exporting ports.  We wish the Port of Corpus Christi much continued success!  If you would like to read more of the Port of Corpus Christi’s announcement, please click the link: Port of Corpus Christi Completes Milestone Ship Channel Improvement Project, Reinforcing U.S. as Leader in Energy Exports - Port of Corpus Christi.

If you would like help in looking into how to transport your product efficiently and with less of a carbon footprint, contact us via the email in the Blog and check out our ESC website!

We hope you have a wonderful evening and a great week! 

**Disclaimer: Please see the Port of Corpus Christi Press Release for specifics. **

U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released the U.S. Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions Report, 2024, and it is now available on their website!

The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) released their annual report for U.S. Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions, 2024; it is now available from the EIA website. 

Check out what happened in the U.S. Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions, 2024 by clicking the link: U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA - Independent Statistics and Analysis.

Don’t forget to check out our ESC website!  We are always here to help you out with your next project to transport your liquids!

Have a safe and relaxing weekend! 

U.S. EIA Monthly Reports for MER, Petroleum Supply, Biofuels, and Others are now available!

Happy Friday!

The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) released their monthly reports for Petroleum Supply, Biofuels, and Others for May 2025, they are now available on the EIA website.

See what happened in the Monthly Energy Review (MER) by clicking the link: Total Energy Monthly Data - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

See what happened in the Petroleum Supply Monthly by clicking the link: Petroleum Supply Monthly - Energy Information Administration.

See how crude moved in the Monthly U.S. Movement of Crude Oil by Rail by clicking the link: U.S. Movements of Crude Oil by Rail.

See what happened in the Company Level Imports by clicking the link: Company Level Imports - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

See what happened in the Monthly Crude Oil and Natural Gas Production by clicking the link: EIA-914 monthly production report.

See what happened in the Natural Gas Monthly by clicking the link: Natural Gas Monthly Report.

See what happened in the Monthly Biofuels Capacity and Feedstocks Update by clicking the link: Monthly Biofuels Capacity and Feedstocks Update - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Don’t forget to check out our ESC website!  We are always here to help you out with your next project to move your liquids or help you reduce your emissions!

Don’t forget to follow our Blog to hear more on the ever-changing energy and marine industry!

Have a relaxing and enjoyable weekend!  Be safe! 

See you next week for another week of the ESC News Blog! 

U.S. EIA Weekly Updates for Petroleum & Other Liquids, Natural Gas, and Coal are all now available!

Happy Friday! 

It’s hard to believe schools are starting to let out for the Summer!  Well, for those of you who have kids getting out this week; what do you have planned to make their Summer memorable? It was a question we were asked the other day and the remark we made was get a summer job! 

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Weekly Reports for Petroleum and Other Liquids, Gasoline and Diesel Fuel, Natural Gas, and Coal for the week ending May 30, 2025, are all now available from the EIA website. 

See what happened This Week in Petroleum by clicking the link: This Week in Petroleum - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

See what happened in the Weekly Petroleum Status Report by clicking the link: Weekly Petroleum Status Report - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

See what happened last week in Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update by clicking the link: Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

See what else happened last week in Natural Gas Weekly Update by clicking the link: Natural Gas Weekly Update (eia.gov).

See what happened last week in Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report by clicking the link: Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report - EIA.

See what happened this week on the Weekly Natural Gas Dashboard by clicking the link: Natural Gas Storage Dashboard (eia.gov).

See what happened last week in Coal Markets Report by clicking the link: https://www.eia.gov/coal/markets/.

See what happened last week in Weekly Coal Production by clicking the link:  Weekly Coal Production by State.

We are always here to help you out with your next project to move your hydrocarbons or to update your equipment to help reduce your emissions!  Connect with us through the Blog email or give us a call: 281-901-5554!

Don’t forget to follow our Blog to hear more on the ever-changing energy and marine industry!

We hope you have a fun and relaxing weekend!    

See you next week for another week of ESC News Blog!

Sempra’s Port Arthur LNG Phase II has received their non-FTA approval!

Happy Thursday! 

We love a follow-up!  We blogged on the status of Sempra’s Port Arthur LNG project as well as how the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released the Final 2024 LNG Export Study earlier in May.  Well, looks like Sempra’s Port Arthur LNG Project received some good news!

DOE’s Fossil Energy and Carbon Management Newsletter on May 29, 2025, their announcement for, “DOE Issues LNG Export Authorization for Port Arthur Phase II, Advancing President Trump’s Commitment to Unleash American Energy”?  In the article, it speaks on how today Sempra Infrastructure received their authorization for their Phase II from the DOE for exporting to non-free trade agreement (non-FTA) countries.   Sempra’s Port Arthur LNG facility which is in Jefferson County, Texas is currently building their Phase I which is expected to export 13-milion tonnes a year of LNG, and the facility is expected to be operational in 2027.  Now with the approval of Phase II in hand they may be able to make their final investment decision.  If Sempra builds Phase II, they will be exporting approximately 38.6-million tonnes per year, and it should be operational in 2028.  We wish Sempra luck in keeping their project on track.  If you would like to read more of the Announcement from the U.S. DOE, please click the link:   DOE Issues LNG Export Authorization for Port Arthur Phase II, Advancing President Trump’s Commitment to Unleash American Energy | Department of Energy.

If you would like help in looking into how to move your liquid hydrocarbon and reduce your emissions, contact us via email in the Blog and check out our ESC website!

**Disclaimer: Please see the U.S. DOE’s Announcement for the specifics. **

Port Houston has an update on Project 11.

Happy Tuesday!

We love an update on previous Blogs especially when it comes from such an important project as Project 11, please see our previous Blogs!  Project 11 appears to be on schedule according to the update!

Did anyone see the Greater Houston Port Bureau’s (GHPB) Newsletter on May 27, 2025, they mention an announcement from the Port of Houston Authority titled, “The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has allocated $131 million to the Houston Ship Channel in its FY2025 work plan”?   The announcement is in regard to a Notice from Port Houston in regard to their Port Commission’s Regular Monthly Meeting which convened on May 20, 2025.   The Port of Houston Authority’s Port Commission gave an update on information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and their Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 strategy.  USACE has set aside $33 million for Project 11, Houston Ship Channel Expansion, in addition they have put aside $98 million for O&M for deepening and channel maintenance for the Houston Ship Channel (HSC).  USACE has accepted the federal Assumption of Maintenance (AOM) for Segment 1B (Redfish Reef to Bayport Terminal) and they have already accepted the deepening of 1C (Bayport to Barbours Cut Ship Channel) which is expected to be finished sometime this Summer.  The Port Commission is expecting improvements to the Galveston Bay area to be finished last quarter 2025.  Port Houston has added 20 clean diesel yard tractors to its Barbours Cut Terminal and Bayport Terminals to replace older and less efficient ones.  Port Houston is working with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Houston Pilots, and Port Security and Emergency Operations (PSEO) to develop a short-term air draft markings which is the vertical distance from the waterline to the highest point on the vessel for the Interstate 610 bridge.  The next regular Port Commission Public Meeting is Tuesday, June 24, 2025.  If you would like more information on the updates from Port Houston’s Port Commission’s Regular Public Meeting announcement, please click the link: Port-Houston-Announces-131-Million-from-USACE-for-P11-and-Dredge-Maintenance-_-Port-Commission-May-2025-Mtg_-Press-Release-_-Cle.pdf. 

Don’t forget to sign up for the GHPB’s Commerce Club Luncheon for June.  The next Commerce Club Luncheon is June 12, 2025, at 11 a.m.  The guest speaker at the next luncheon will be a panel which will include our Port Bureau Chairman, Vincent DiCosimo, Senior Vice President – Government Affairs, Targa Resources, he will lead a panel with Texas Representative Mary Ann Perez-D144 and Texas Representative Mano DeAyla-D133, to discuss current and future state policies, as well as other topics which affect Texas and the maritime industry.  Please check out their website, if you would like to sign up for their luncheon; June 2025 Commerce Club Luncheon - Greater Houston Port Bureau.

If you would like help in looking into how to transport your product efficiently, safely, and with less of a carbon footprint from a terminal, contact us via email in the Blog and check out our ESC website!

We hope you have a wonderful evening and a great rest of your week!  

**Disclaimer: Please see the Port Houston’s Announcement for specific details. **

 

BLM has been given instructions by the US DOI to make all future federal land oil and gas lease sales an all-inclusive package.

Happy Tuesday!  Welcome back to another week of ESC News Blog!  We hope everyone enjoyed the Memorial holiday weekend! Let’s get to what’s been happening! 

Did anyone happen to read the Oil & Gas Journal’s OGJ Daily Update Newsletter on May 23, 2025, their article titled, “Interior shrinks review period for potential federal oil, gas leases”?  In the article, it speaks on how earlier in May the U.S. Department of the Interior’s (DOI) Bureau of Land Management (BLM) was instructed to reduce the environmental evaluation timeframe of possible oil and gas lease tracts to six months instead of the previous eight to fifteen months and included in this time period will be all public and stakeholders examination and feedback time, and if a protest is filed the lease may go onto the bidding blocks, but the tract will not be leased until the protest is settled.  In addition, the BLM was instructed to expand the tracts of federal land for onshore oil and gas lease sales and create a quarterly lease sale schedule.   If you would like to read more of Oil and Gas Journal’s article, please click the link:   Interior shrinks review period for potential federal oil, gas leases | Oil & Gas Journal.

If you would like help in looking into how to transport your product efficiently and with less of a carbon footprint, contact us via the email in the Blog and check out our ESC website!

We hope you have a wonderful evening and a great week! 

**Disclaimer: You may be charged a fee to read the Oil and Gas Journal’s article and please see the article for specific details. **

Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day!

We hear at ESC News Blog would like to thank all of those who have served in our Armed Forces and their families who supported them while they made the ultimate sacrifice!  Thank you for helping America be the great democracy it is!  

Thank you!

Energy Specialists Consulting, LLC

U.S. EIA released its Country Analysis Brief for China, and it is now available!

The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) released their Country Analysis Brief for China, so check it out on the EIA website. 

See what happened in China’s Analysis Brief by clicking the link International - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Don’t forget to check out our ESC website!  We are always here to help you out with your next hydrocarbon project!

Don’t forget to follow our Blog to hear more on the ever-changing energy and marine industry!

Have a nice and relaxing weekend! 

See you next week for another week of ESC News Blog!

U.S. EIA Monthly Reports for Heating Oil & Propane Update and EPM are now available!

Happy Friday! 

The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) released their Heating Oil & Propane Update and Electric Power Monthly Reports for May; they are now available from the EIA website.

See what happened in the Heating Oil & Propane Update by clicking the link: https://www.eia.gov/petroleum/heatingoilpropane .

See what happened in Electric Power Monthly by clicking the link: https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/.

Don’t forget to check out ESC’s website!  We are always here to help you out with your next project to move your liquids or help update your equipment to reduce your emissions!

Don’t forget to follow our Blog to hear more on the ever-changing energy and marine industry!

Have a relaxing and enjoyable long weekend!

U.S. EIA Weekly Updates for Petroleum & Other Liquids, Natural Gas, and Coal are all now available!

Happy Friday!  

It’s hard to believe; it’s the weekend and Memorial Day weekend at that! 

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Weekly Reports for Petroleum and Other Liquids, Gasoline and Diesel Fuel, Natural Gas, and Coal for the week ending May 23, 2025, are all now available from the EIA website. 

See what happened This Week in Petroleum by clicking the link: This Week in Petroleum - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

See what happened in the Weekly Petroleum Status Report by clicking the link: Weekly Petroleum Status Report - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

See what happened last week in Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update by clicking the link: Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

See what else happened last week in Natural Gas Weekly Update by clicking the link: Natural Gas Weekly Update (eia.gov).

See what happened last week in Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report by clicking the link: Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report - EIA.

See what happened this week on the Weekly Natural Gas Dashboard by clicking the link: Natural Gas Storage Dashboard (eia.gov).

See what happened last week in Coal Markets Report by clicking the link: https://www.eia.gov/coal/markets/.

See what happened last week in Weekly Coal Production by clicking the link:  Weekly Coal Production by State.

We like to mention due to Memorial Day the federal government will be closed Monday, May 26, 2025.  The EIA has sent out a notice some of the weekly reports will be released later in the week.  

We are always here to help you out with your next project to move your hydrocarbons or to update your equipment to help reduce your emissions!  Connect with us through the Blog email or give us a call: 281-901-5554!

Don’t forget to follow our Blog to hear more on the ever-changing energy and marine industry!

We hope you have a fun and relaxing holiday weekend!  Be safe! 

See you next week for another week of ESC News Blog!

Freeport LNG has the last of its recovery efforts completed and its approvals in hand!

Happy Thursday! 

Did anyone happen to read the Oil & Gas Journal’s OGJ Daily Update Newsletter on May 21, 2025, their article titled, “In final recovery phase, Freeport LNG returns third LNG storage tank to service”?  In the article, it speaks on how in early June 2022 there was an explosion and fire at Freeport LNG facility which ravaged the facility; after a long process the third storage tank has been authorized for use by the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safely Administration (PHMSA) and the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).  The facility which is located on Quintana Island, Texas has had a long road to recovery and refurbishment, nonetheless it has made them stronger and safer for it; and working on the recovery they have added to its workforce and leadership, and in April 2025, they had a new record for LNG production at the facility.  Freeport LNG plant currently has three liquefaction trains, and they have all governmental authorizations needed to build a fourth liquefaction train.  We hope they make a final investment decision soon on the fourth train.   If you would like to read more of Oil and Gas Journal’s article, please click the link:   In final recovery phase, Freeport LNG returns third LNG storage tank to service | Oil & Gas Journal.

If you would like help in looking into how to transport your product efficiently and with less of a carbon footprint, contact us via the email in the Blog and check out our ESC website!

We hope you have a wonderful evening and a great week! 

**Disclaimer: You may be charged a fee to read the Oil and Gas Journal’s article. **

Oldest Houston refinery site may be getting a new lease on life by helping rid plastic waste!

Happy Wednesday!

We love a follow-up.  We blogged about LyondellBasell and their over 100-year-old refinery on the Houston Ship Channel in January 2025 and how they were on track to mothball this aging plant by the end of March 2025.  At the time the question was what will LyondellBasell do next with the property, will they turn it into a green hydrogen plant, new refinery or what?  Well, they have let the cat out of the bag.

Did anyone happen to read the Houston Chronicle’s Business Section on May 19, 2025, their article titled, “Will community get a say in change?  Former LyondellBasell refinery is switching from petroleum to plastic recycling”?  In the article, it goes on to speak on how LyondellBasell’s 100-year-old refinery site has submitted applications for fast tracking approval for a chemical waste recycling unit for plastic refuse on part on the site.  LyondellBasell’s process would entail them using recycled plastic pellets mixing it with a heated catalyst substance which would help separate the plastic into a gas and liquid which would be used in new materials.  The process will have lower emissions than the old refinery.  According to the article the unit would be in service by 2027.   

LyondellBasell and Exxon have partnered up with a third party, Agilyx in an advanced recycling project to build the Cyclyx Circularity Center in the Houston area.  This project will help with the growing plastic problem by getting plastic out of our garbage dumps and recycling them for other uses.  The project will use innovative machinery and techniques which will decide the type of plastic, then separate and organize, and turn it into raw materials to be used at Exxon or Lyondell-Basell’s waste recycling plants for use in new materials.  We wish them luck cleaning up plastic waste!  If you would like to read more of the Houston Chronicle’s article on MSN, please click the link: A former LyondellBasell refinery is switching to plastic recycling. Will thecommunity get a say?.

If you would like help in looking into how to transport your product efficiently, safely, and with less of a carbon footprint or just find out what is underneath your feet to help with your emission reduction goals, contact us via email in the Blog and check out our ESC website!

We hope you have a wonderful evening and a great rest of your week!  

**Disclaimer: You may be charged a fee to read The Houston Chronicle’s articles. **

 

The Galveston Bay area’s first LNG Bunker Terminal for alternative marine fuel has their ducks in a row and final investment decision is expected this summer.

Happy Tuesday! 

The U.N. International Maritime Organization (IMO) pledged to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions and designed a strategy to attain zero-emissions by or around 2050 with deadlines in 2030 and 2040 to ensure the maritime industry reaches its goals, and this should be ratified by them later this year; see our previous Blogs on the IMO for details.  One of the first goals is for 2030 is for vessels to start to implement using alternative fuels, and LNG is one of those fuels.  Galveston LNG Bunker Port, LLC (GLBP) is one of the companies trying to help the maritime industry reach their first goal.  

We have a follow-up to an article we blogged on back at the end of April 2024 on GLBP the company proposing to build a LNG bunkering terminal on the shores of Galveston Bay; check it out our Blog for details.   GLBP is in the news for their proposed facility and its status. 

Did anyone happen to read MSN on May 19, 2025, they had an article from Reuters titled, “First LNG ship bunkering hub in the US Gulf Coast secures permits to start work”?  In the article, it speaks about Galveston LNG Bunker Port, LLC (GLBP) a joint venture has received their final permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Coast Guard, and they will make their final investment decision (FID) sometime this summer, and then they are expecting to start building their LNG bunkering facility in the 3^rd Quarter of 2025.  GLBP’s proposed 140-acre natural gas liquefication and storage facility will be located on Shoal Point in Texas City on the shores of Galveston Bay, and it has an estimated cost of $300 million.  The first stage of the project is expected to produce 360,000 gallons per day (gpd) and be operational in 2027, and the second stage the facility is expected to reach its operational capacity of 720,000 gpd and be completed around year later.  GLBP is a joint venture joining Pilot LNG and Seapath.  GLBP has a vision of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker terminal which will be a local supplier of alternative marine fuel for the area to help the shipping industry meet the IMO’s goals for emissions and decarbonization.  Earlier this year LNG was approved for bunkering without an export license for American ports and boundary waters which helped this project.  We wish them luck on them making their FID and starting construction on their project this year!  If you would like to read more of the reprint article from Reuters published on MSN, please click the link:   First LNG ship bunkering hub in US Gulf Coast secures permits to start work.

If you would like help in looking into how to transport your product efficiently, safely, and with less of a carbon footprint from your terminal or just find out what is underneath your feet to help with your emission reduction goals, contact us via email in the Blog and check out our ESC website!

We hope you have a wonderful evening and a productive week!

**Disclaimer: You may be charged a fee to read the article on MSN. **