DOE has released 45.2 million barrels from the SPR in Texas and Louisiana.

Happy Monday!  Welcome back to another week of ESC News Blog!  We hope you have had a fun and relaxing weekend.  Let’s get started.         

You know we like to keep up with the happenings at the Department of Energy’s SPR.  Well, here is something we rarely hear from the SPR.  They published who they released sweet and sour crude oil to in an exchange program to help with the rising price of oil caused by the Middle East Conflict.  Here are some of the details.

Did anyone happen to read the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrocarbon and Geothermal Energy Office Release on March 20, 2026, their announcement, “ENERGY DEPARTMENT BEGINS DELIVERING SPR BARRELS AT RECORD SPEEDS”?  In the announcement, it goes on to speak on how the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) last week published ten companies who have been granted some of the initial 172 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) and its Emergency Exchange Program.  The SPR announced less than 10 days ago their offer to release oil, and on Friday, March 20, the SPR released 45.2 million barrels which is the beginning of the releases from the Emergency Exchange program.   In this initial exchange, the SPR will receive back 55 million barrels.  The oil was released from three SPR locations; 10 million from Bayou Choctaw, over 15 million from Bryan Mound and over 19 million barrels from West Hackberry.   A few of the companies awarded contracts were BP Products North America (5-millon barrels), Gunvor USA LLC (over 3 million barrels), Shell Trading (US) Company (over 16 million barrels), Marathon Petroleum Company LP (over 7 million barrels), as well as others.  We will keep you posted on anything interesting we hear out of the DOE and the SPR.  If you would like to read more of the Announcement from the U.S. DOE’s Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office, please click the link: Energy Department Begins Delivering SPR Barrels at Record Speeds | Department ofEnergy.

If you would like help in looking into how to store your liquid hydrocarbon safely in underground storage 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: Please see the Immediate Announcement from the U.S. DOE for specifics. **

 

3rd Annual Lamar High School Mattress Fundraiser is tomorrow!

 

The 3rd Annual Lamar High School Mattress Fundraiser is here! You deserve a better night’s sleep! Come out tomorrow, March 21^st, 2026, from 10am – 5pm to try out over 35 different styles from brands like Helix, Purple, Beautyrest, and others. We have sheets and pillows, too!  You’ll save money. You’ll sleep better. You’ll support the school band. This is ONE DAY ONLY. We can't be successful without your help marking your calendar and spreading the word! Bring your family & friends! Have fun shopping for better sleep. Save Money. Sleep Better. Support our group! We can't achieve our dreams without you investing in yours!

Lamar High School in Houston, Texas.  Come on down and help us raise funds for new band instruments. 

Have a great and relaxing weekend!  

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

Happy Friday! 

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Weekly Reports for Petroleum and Other Liquids, Gasoline and Diesel Fuel, Natural Gas, Propane, and Coal for the week ending March 20, 2026, are all now available from the EIA website. 

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

See what happened last week in Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report Supplement by clicking the link: https://www.eia.gov/beta/naturalgas/weekly/supplement/.

See what happened last week in the Heating Oil and Propane Update by clicking the link: Heating Oil and Propane Update - Energy Information Administration (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: https://www.eia.gov/coal/production/weekly/.

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!

It’s closing weekend for the Houston Livestock and Rodeo, so travel with care. Tomorrow is the big day for Lamar H.S. Band’s Mattress Sale.  We hope to see you there. 

We hope you have a fun and relaxing weekend!  

We hope to see you next week for another week of ESC News Blog!

 

BLM had a successful NPR-A Oil and Gas Lease Sale.

Happy Thursday!

We always enjoy a follow-up story, and we did say, if we heard anything else on this Alaskan wonderland!  The recent offshore oil and gas lease sale was a bust for Alaska’s Cook Inlet, see our Blog in January for details.  Last October, we blogged on how the U.S. BLM showed interest in the National Petroleum Reserve- Alaska (NPR-A), and they were considering opening more of it for an upcoming oil and gas lease sale.  Well, the lease sale has come and gone and here’s the skinny!

Did anyone happen to read the Oil & Gas Journal’s OGJ Daily Update Newsletter on March 19, 2026, their article titled, “Federal NPR-A lease sale hits record for revenues and tracts receiving bids”?  In the article, it speaks on how U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) and its Office of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) have published the results from the NPR-A Oil and Gas Lease Sale which happened yesterday, March 18, 2026.   The NPR-A Lease Sale reached a new record of $164.7 million.  Proposed were 625 tracts of land of the which is over 5.5 million acres around one fifth of the NPR was offered for lease.  Only eleven companies threw their hats into the ring, nonetheless 430 bids on 187 tracts encompassing over 1.3 million acres the participants tendered offers, too.  Some of the successful high bidders were North Slope Exploration LLC (78 leases), Repsol E&P/Shell Frontier LLC (43 leases), ConocoPhillips Alaska Inc. (30 leases), ExxonMobil Alaska (24 leases), and Epoch Oil & Gas LLC (8 leases).  The State of Alaska is a winner, too, and they will get around $82 million of the $164.7 million from the lease sale and starting mid-2030 they will acquire more of the lease sale proceeds. We will let you know, if we hear anything else on this American asset!  If you would like to read more of the Oil & Gas Journal’s article, please click the link:   Federal NPR-A lease sale hits record for revenues and tracts receiving bids | Oil & Gas Journal.

Don’t forget to check out our ESC website or contact us via the email in the Blog, if you have a hydrocarbon liquids project you would like to see get off the ground or you would like to see what’s under your feet to help with your emissions!  

The Houston Livestock and Rodeo is winding down, so remember travel with care.

Two days until the Lamar H.S. Band Mattress Sale; keep posted for details.

We hope you have a wonderful evening! 

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

Venture Global’s Phase 2 of its Cameron Parish LNG plant has obtained financing and made its FID.

Happy Wednesday!

Well, we did say if we heard and news from Venture Global, we would let you know.  Did anyone happen to read EnergyTech’s Transition Newsletter on March 18, 2026, their article titled, “Venture Global Closes $8.6B Financing to Build CP2 LNG 2nd Phase”?  In the article, it speaks on how Venture Global has obtained financing and made their Final Investment Decision (FID) on Phase 2 of CP2.   Venture Global made their FID to move forward with the project. Venture Global's CP2 Phase 2 has obtained $8.6 billion in funding to construct this expansion.  They are currently building Phase 1, after making the FID last summer. We wish Venture Global luck finishing the on time and on budget!  If you would like to read more of the article from EnergyTech, please click the link: Venture Global Closes $8.6B Financing to Build CP2 LNG 2nd Phase | Energy Tech.

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!

**Disclaimer: You may be charged a fee to read EnergyTech’s article. **

BOEM opening EIS for Santa Clara Unit offshore California.

Happy Tuesday! 

The Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Department of Energy have been on the move lately.  Last week, the DOE told Sable Energy their asset off the coast of California needs to be restarted and wow, what a hornet’s nest that awoken.   Now the BOEM has more in store for offshore of California.

Did anyone happen to receive the News Release from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) on March 17, 2026, their News Release titled, “BOEM Analyzes Proposed Offshore Well Stimulation Work at Platform Gilda offshore California”?  In the release, it speaks on how Department of Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has released a Notice of Intent for the Santa Clara Unit Development and Production Plan and with the current emergency rules now they have to do an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) within 28 days of the NOI.   NOI unlocks a 10-day window to add comments for stakeholders and governmental organizations.  The BOEM will have an online meeting in the afternoon of March 24, 2026, please see the BOEM news brief for details and to sign up.  We let you know, if we hear anything else interesting from the BOEM.  If you would like to read more of the BOEM’s News Release, please click the link: BOEM Analyzes Proposed Offshore Well Stimulation Work at Platform Gilda offshore California | Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.

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

Remember the Houston Livestock and Rodeo is ongoing, so travel with care.  We hope you have a wonderful evening and a great week

**Disclaimer: Please see the News Release from the BOEM for specific information. **

 

Venture Global’s Plaquemines LNG plant was given a little boast by DOE granting them to export more LNG.

Happy Monday! Welcome back to another week of ESC News Blog!  Hope you enjoyed your weekend and the nice weather.  Let’s get started.   

We blogged on Venture Global’s non-Free Trade Agreement (non-FTA) for CP2 back in October, and they were given permission to ship up to 3.96 billion cubic feet of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).  Well, they are in the news again for their Plaquemines LNG facility in Louisiana and looks like they will be shipping more out.  

Did anyone happen to read the DOE’s Hydrocarbon and Geothermal Energy Office’s News Release on March 13, 2026, their announcement for, “Energy Department Approves Immediate Additional LNG Exports from Plaquemines LNG”?  In the announcement, it goes on to speak of Venture Global and their Plaquemines LNG plant in Louisiana may ramp up production and export almost 4 billion cubic feet a day (Bcf/d) to non-Free Trade Agreement (non-FTA) and FTA countries with an updated permit issued by the Department of Energy.   Venture Global’s Plaquemines LNG Plant came online at the end of 2024, and they already had the permission to export more than 3 Bcf/d of LNG with this new authorization they may ship 3.85 Bcf/d. Well, we will keep you posted on any other news we hear coming out of the DOE.  If you would like to read more of the Announcement from the U.S. DOE, please click the link: Energy Department Approves Immediate Additional LNG Exports from Plaquemines LNG.

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!

Reminder: 5 more days until Lamar H.S. Band mattress sale.  Keep tuned for information. 

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

 

U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released their Monthly STEO Report, it is now available on their website!

Happy Friday!

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released their Monthly STEO Report for week ending March 13, 2026, is now available from the EIA website. 

Check out what happened in the Monthly Short Term Energy Outlook by clicking the link: Short-Term Energy Outlook- 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 to move your product or help you reduce your emissions!  You may reach us by the email in the Blog!

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

Have a good weekend!  Keep safe!

U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released their Annual Energy Outlook: Retrospective 2025, and it is now available on their website!

The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) released their Annual Energy Outlook Retrospective 2025; it is now available from the EIA website. 

Check out what happened in the Annual Energy Outlook Retrospective 2025 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 Weekly Updates for Petroleum & Other Liquids, Natural Gas, Propane, and Coal are all now available!

Happy Friday! 

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Weekly Reports for Petroleum and Other Liquids, Gasoline and Diesel Fuel, Natural Gas, Propane, and Coal for the week ending March 13, 2026, are all now available from the EIA website. 

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

See what happened last week in Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report Supplement by clicking the link: https://www.eia.gov/naturalgas/weekly/supplement/.

See what happened last week in the Heating Oil and Propane Update by clicking the link: Heating Oil and Propane Update - Energy Information Administration (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: https://www.eia.gov/coal/production/weekly/

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!  Enjoy the end of Spring Break. 

We hope to see you next week for another week of ESC News Blog!

Offshore oil and gas lease BBG2 winners have been posted!

Happy Wednesday!  We hope you enjoyed the sunny cool day in spite of the windy cold start we had.  Let’s get started.  

We promised when we heard what happens in the BBG2 lease sale we would let you know. (Check it out our blog in early February.)  Did anyone happen to read the Oil & Gas Journal’s OGJ Daily Update Newsletter on March 12, 2026, they had an article titled, “Gulf of Mexico lease sale draws just under $47 million in high bids”?  In the article, it speaks on how Department of Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) had their second scheduled lease sale for the Gulf of Mexico’s Outer Continental Shelf called “BBG2” and there were 38 bids from thirteen companies.  The BBG2 brought in under $47 million and 25 high bids were accepted for approximately 141,000 acres.  BBG2 brought in fewer bids and money than the first BBG1 sale at the end of 2025.  The companies with the three highest accepted bids were BP Exploration and Production, Inc., 2 from Chevron, and Shell Offshore, Inc. and they were the same high bidders in BBG1, check out our Blog in December 2025.  We like to remind you the proposed sale for BBG3 is August 12, 2026, and you still check it out in the Federal Register.  If we hear anything else from the BOEM we will let you know.  If you would like to read more of Oil and Gas Journal’s article, please click the link:   Gulf of Mexico lease sale draws just under $47 million in high bids | Oil & Gas Journal.

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

Well, the Houston Livestock and Rodeo is still happening.  If you’re interested in what is going on at this world class event or you want to see the performers’ line-up for this season; please click the link for information: The Official Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo 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. **

Another innovative and low carbon company is going to be calling Port of Brownsville home.

Happy Wednesday!  How about the rain today, if you didn’t get wet you are lucky! 

Did anyone see the Port of Brownsville’s News Release on March 11, 2026, their News Release titled, “Port of Brownsville Announces America First Refining Project – First New U.S. Gulf Coast Refinery in Nearly 50 Years”?  Port of Brownsville Commissioners had some exciting news to share today America First Refining will be constructing an innovative refinery on the shores of the port, and it is the first new refinery in almost fifty years along the Gulf Coast.   America First Refining’s refinery will be processing shale oil which is a light crude, and they will be using innovative hydrogen-powered processes to help reduce emissions.  The products produced will be cleaner low carbon fuels.  The company is currently working on attaining all federal, state, local permits.  We congratulate Port of Brownsville on bringing this important project to Texas’ Gulf Coast.  If you would like to read more of the press release from Port of Brownsville, please click the link: Port of Brownsville Announces America First Refining Project First New U.S. Gulf Coast Refinery in Nearly 50 Years - Port of Brownsville.

If you would like help in looking into how to transport and store your hydrocarbon products, contact us via the email in the Blog and check out our ESC website!

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

**Disclaimer: Please see the Port of Brownsville’s News Release for specifics. **

Has LOOP had a spill off the coast of Louisiana?

Happy Tuesday!

Did anyone happen to read the gCaptain Daily Newsletter on March 9, 2026, their article titled, “Crude Oil Spill Draws Large Response at Nation’s Only Deepwater VLCC Port”?  In the article, it speaks on how an ongoing cleanup has been happening off the coast of Louisiana due to a spill tied to Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP) which was reported at the end of February.  This all hands a deck cleanup has federal and state authorities hopping trying to recover 750 barrels of crude and currently they have reclaimed 664 barrels.  This operation has over 460 workers, 60 vessels, over 28000 feet of recovery barrier trying to lasso up the crude, and eyes in the air trying to trail the oil and guide recovery.   Federal and state wildlife agencies are keeping an eye on the wildlife in the area as well as monitor the environment for effects of the spill.  If you off the coast of Louisiana by Grand Isle tune in to VHF-FM Channel 16 for current status, so you are not in the cleanup crew’s way.  We will let you know, if we hear anything else interesting on this matter.  If you would like to read more of the article from gCaptain’s, please click the link:   Crude Oil Spill Draws Large Response at Nation’s Only Deepwater VLCC Port.

If you would like help in looking into how to update your midstream terminal, contact us via email in the Blog and check out ESC's website for contact information.

If you wondered if Lamar High School Band has rescheduled their Mattress Sale, indeed it has the new date is Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 10 am to 6 pm.  Come on down and get a great deal and help support the band, too.

 We hope you have a wonderful evening!

**Disclaimer: You may be charged a fee to read the gCaptain’s article. **

BOEM approximates over 65 billion barrels of oil and over 218 trillion cubic feet are yet to be discovered offshore according to newly released 2026 National Assessment of OCS.

Happy Monday!  Welcome back to another week of ESC News Blog!  We hope you enjoyed your weekend!  Let’s get started. 

Did anyone happen to receive the News Release from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) on March 9, 2026, their News Release titled, “BOEM Releases 2026 National Assessment of Undiscovered Oil and Gas Resources on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf”?  In the release, it speaks on how Department of Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has released their 2026 National Assessment for U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OSC) which is published every half decade.  The current National Assessment has estimated there is over 65 billion barrels of oil and over 218 trillion (Yes, you read right, trillion with a T.) cubic feet of natural gas, yet to be found oil and gas.  The outer continental shelf includes four areas off of the United States coast: Gulf of America (Mexico) OSC, Alaska OSC, Atlantic OSC and Pacific OSC.  The Gulf OSC has the most oil and Alaska OSC has the most unfound natural gas according to the assessment.  The BOEM believes with current techniques for offshore drilling and production we have over century of oil and gas.  We let you know, if we hear anything else interesting from the BOEM.  If you would like to read more of the BOEM’s News Release, please click the link: BOEM Releases 2026 National Assessment of Undiscovered Oil and Gas Resources on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf | Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.

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

Remember the Houston Livestock and Rodeo and Spring Break are ongoing, so travel with care.  We hope you have a wonderful evening and a great week

**Disclaimer: Please see the News Release from the BOEM for specific information. **

U.S. EIA Monthly Reports for Petroleum Marketing is now available!

Happy Friday!

The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) released their monthly reports for Petroleum Supply, Petroleum Marketing, and Others for March 2026, is now available on the EIA website.

See what happened in the Petroleum Marketing Monthly by clicking the link: https://www.eia.gov/petroleum/marketing/monthly/.

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 fun and relaxing weekend!