DOE furthering research into EOR for Bakken shale formation with federal funding.

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

You know we like to keep up with the happenings at the Department of Energy, and they are investing in some research at a state university.  Let’s dig in. 

Did anyone happen to read the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrocarbon and Geothermal Energy Office Release on April 30, 2026, their announcement, “Energy Department to Invest $36 Million in Enhanced Oil Recovery Program at the University of North Dakota”?  In the announcement, it goes on to speak on how the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently (May 8th) published they will be investing in the University of North Dakota’s Energy & Environmental Research Center.  The University’s project called Bakken Enhanced Oil Recovery-Cracking the Code (Bakken EOR-CC) involves them innovating enhanced oil recovery (EOR) to industrial scale for the Bakken shale formation using artificial intelligence (AI) and other available technologies using carbon dioxide (CO2).  Bakken EOR-CC program has six experimental studies trying to determine which is the best practice to access Bakken shale oil, and the program has $100 million from other sources to fund their other experiments.  We wish them locking cracking the code.  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 to Invest $36 Million in Enhanced Oil Recovery Program at the University of North Dakota | Department of Energy.

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 Release from the U.S. DOE for specifics. **

 

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

Happy Friday!

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released their Monthly STEO Report for week ending May 15, 2026, it 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! 

U.S. EIA Weekly Updates for Petroleum & Other Liquids, Natural Gas, 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, and Coal for the week ending May 15, 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 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! 

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

Learnings from the GHPB’s Commerce Club Luncheon from Thursday, May 14, 2026.

Happy Thursday!

We went to the Greater Houston Port Bureau’s (GHPB) Commerce Club Luncheon at the Houston Marriot South at Hobby Airport today. 

The GHPB’s Commerce Club Luncheon started early with demonstrations from a couple AI companies. 

The speakers were a Panel which spoke on the topic: Digitizing Pre-Arrival Communications to Unlock Port Efficiency.  The moderator was Lance Nunez (Dow Inc.) and the panel included Darren Shelton (Moran Shipping Agencies); Captain Petr Kontush (Stolt Tankers); and Shri Sarathy (LBC Tank Terminals).  The consensus of the panel was the Houston Ship Channel is not efficient as other ports, and turnaround times are too long, hence the new collaborated system will reduce it by 30 minutes which means millions on dollars over the course of the year.  If a company adopts the new Pre-Arrival Platform, it will improve communications because it is organized, there is a standard for workflows, and better data protection. The current system there is much chaos and there are inconsistencies and manual input, and processing is slow, and data isn’t well protected.  The GHPB’s Efficiency Committee worked on a standard by conducting a study on Pre-Arrival and they determined the most common data transferred to make their standard.  They made a Master List which includes the most common data fields and there are over 300 fields.  Then using a standard naming connection, they used definitions, order and structure which accommodates for gases, oils and chemicals.  With the information gathered it will allow stakeholders to leverage automation across its platform whiling enabling vendors to innovate.   The standard may be applied to multiple stops and it will improve shore exchange.   The panel spoke on their adoption of the platform and their experience with using it and how it has been fined tuned for their use and reduced their turnaround time.   They spoke on the use of such systems is Europe hence they didn’t have to reinvent anything just make it for use in American ports.  The panel stressed the need for collaboration over privacy and how this is a win for everyone if adopted.  

Thank you, Lance Nunez, Darren Shelton, Captain Petr Kontush, and Shri Sarathy.   You are an interesting and informative group, and we wish you well.  

As you see the speakers at the GHPB’s Commerce Club Luncheons bring an informative talk to all that attend.  The next Commerce Club Luncheon is on June 11, 2026, at 11 a.m. at the Houston Marriot South at Hobby Airport.  Please check out the website, if you would like to learn more.  June 2026 GHPB Commerce Club Luncheon - Greater Houston Port Bureau.

The GHPB announced Family Day at Houston Maritime Center and Museum is June 6^th, 2026.  Here is the link for details on their education programs: Family Programs & Activities | Houston Maritime Museum.

If you would like help in figuring out how to get your product moving with less of a carbon footprint, contact us via the email on the Blog or give us a call: 281-901-5554.  Check out our ESC website!

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

GHPB’s Monthly Commerce Club Luncheon – May 14, 2026 at 11 AM, 10:30 AM, if you are interested in Demonstrations.

Happy Wednesday! 

We hope you reserved your place for the Greater Houston Port Bureau’s Commerce Club Luncheon at the Houston Marriott South at Hobby Airport tomorrow, Thursday, May 14, 2026.  It is a Sold-Out event.  It will be starting early, if you are interested in seeing a demo.  We will be there learning something new. 

We are looking forward to the special panel on Port Efficiency with Lance Nunez/ Dow, Inc.; Darren Shelton/ Moran Shipping Agencies; Captain Petr Kontush/ Stolt Tanks; and Shri Sarathy/LBC Tank Terminals, and they will be speaking on Chaos to Clarity: Digitizing Pre-Arrival Communications to Unlock Port Efficiency.  If you show up at 10:30 a.m., you will be seeing some demonstrations of the current technology the industry is using.  If you would like more details, please click the link: May 2026 GHPB Commerce Club Luncheon - Greater Houston Port Bureau.

We hope to see you there!

If you need help with planning your next hydrocarbon liquids project in this low carbon world, contact us via the email in the Blog and check out our ESC website!

We hope you have a great and productive week! 

Pin Oak Creek Power Plant is now generating power for the Texas grid.

Happy Tuesday!

We love an update to our previous blogs and finally we heard something in regard to the Texas Energy Fund.  We had a bit of news on NRG securing a loan from it back in early August 2025 (in case you want to check it out) since then we haven’t heard much of this taxpayer approved fund.  Well, last week we finally heard some good news for the Texas power grid.

Did anyone happen to read the Houston Chronicle’s Business Section on May 8, 2026, their article titled, “’Texas Energy Fund produces first plant”?   The article, it goes on to speak on how a Texas Energy Fund funded project has finally generated its first power from a natural gas power plant in Freestone County in central Texas.  Constellation’s Calpine LLC owned Pin Oak Creek Power Plant is finally sending 460 megawatts of power to the Texas power grid enough power to keep approximately 115,000 homes lights on and A/C running.   In addition, the article had an update on NRG Energy’s Texas Energy Funded power plant project at TH Wharton Generating Station complex is in the Houston area is expected to be online this summer.  Well, this is good news for Texans to know we have more power heading into our grid.  We will keep you posted on anything we hear in regard to Texas Energy Fund and the projects it funds.  If you would like to read more of the Houston Chronicle’s article, please click the link: Gov. Abbott touts new natural gas plant backed by Texas Energy Fund.

If you would like help in looking into how to transport your product efficiently, safely, and with less of a carbon footprint, 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 the Houston Chronicle’s article. **

DOE has selected the companies who will be part of the fourth round of exchanges and they are expecting to release approximately 53-million barrels from the Gulf Coast.

Happy Monday!  Welcome back to another week of ESC News Blog!  We hope you had a relaxing weekend, and you spoiled Mom on her special day.  Let’s get started.

You know we like to keep up with the happenings at the Department of Energy’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and they have awarded companies for their fourth round of RPFs.  Let’s dig in. 

Did anyone happen to read the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrocarbon and Geothermal Energy Office Release on May 11, 2026, their announcement, “Energy Department Awards Contracts From The Strategic Petroleum Reserve, Advancing President Trump’s Historic Emergency Exchange”?  In the announcement, it goes on to speak on how the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently (May 11th) published they have selected the companies which will be part of the fourth round of the Emergency Exchange Program for approximately 53-million barrels of crude oil from one of the four SPR sites: Bayou Choctaw, West Hackberry, Big Hill, or Bryan Mound.  This was part of the fourth RFP for exchange of crude the DOE has published in recent weeks, nonetheless this exchange was less then what the DOE had available which was approximately 92-million barrels.  The parties have a year to return the barrels with additional oil, and according to the DOE they will be receiving over 25% return which is around 15-million barrels.  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 Awards Contracts from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, Advancing President Trump’s Historic Emergency Exchange.

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 Release from the U.S. DOE for specifics. **

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

Happy Friday!

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released their Monthly Densified Biomass Report for week ending May 8, 2026,  it is now available from the EIA website. 

See what happened in the Monthly Densified Biomass Fuel Report 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 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! 

U.S. EIA Weekly Updates for Petroleum & Other Liquids, Natural Gas, 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, and Coal for the week ending May 8, 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 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!  Keep dry!

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

 

TGL deepwater export port is now moving to its construction phase.

Happy Thursday!

We have an update on the Sentinel’s Texas GulfLink (TGL).  TGL was in our Blog about a year ago for them receiving their MARAD Deepwater Port license, and they were in our Blog in early February 2026, for them receiving their Deepwater license from the US Department of Transportation (DOT). (Check out these previous blogs.) Well, they haven’t wasted anymore time getting things moving.  This is good news considering other deep offshore port projects have been placed on hold.  Let’s dig in.     

Did anyone happen to read the Oil & Gas Journal’s OGJ Daily Update Newsletter on May 7, 2026, their article titled, “Sentinel Midstream to begin construction on Texas GulfLink deepwater port”?  In the article, it speaks on how Sentinel Midstream announced on Tuesday they will now start building their Texas GulfLink deepwater oil export port off the coast of Texas, and their facility will be able to handle Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC) giving the huge vessels a more navigable and safer choice for loading.  The deepwater port 30 miles off the coast of Texas has funding from an US-Japan Trade Agreement which was signed in the Fall. We will let you know, if we hear anything else on TGL!  If you would like to read more of the Oil & Gas Journal’s article, please click the link:   Sentinel Midstream to begin construction on Texas GulfLink deepwater port | 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!  

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

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

Port of Corpus Christi exported nearly 2.5 mbpd of crude oil in March.

Happy Wednesday!

Did anyone happen to read Chron’s First Draft Newsletter on May 6, 2026, their article titled, “’Texas oil boom explodes as war sends tankers flocking to Corpus Christi”?   The article, it goes on to speak on how since the war began against Iran the Port of Corpus Christi’s has increased crude oil exports by 300,000 barrels per day.  The Port of Corpus Christi has broken their old record for best 3-months start for the year.  The increase this year is in part to the exporting of LNG, farm exports, crude oil, and others.  Exports of petroleum was almost 2.5 million barrels a day in March.  According to the article in April the Port of Corpus Christi had almost 50% of the U.S. petroleum go through the port, and Houston ports exported a large portion, too.   The article noted the incoming pipelines are nearly full with the highest throughput of 2.6 mbpd.  Well, this is good news to the oil and gas industry which until the war was having lean times.  We will keep you posted on anything we hear in regard to Texas ports.  If you would like to read more of Chron’s article, please click the link: Texas port sees crude export surge amid Iran conflict.

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

We almost forgot to mention a networking opportunity next week, Tuesday, May 12, 2026, from 6 p.m.  to 7:30 p.m.  Check out Maritime Museum’s Monthly Lecture: Monthly Maritime Lecture: Moms In Maritime - Houston Maritime Center & Museum.  We hope to see you there.

We hope you have a wonderful evening!

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

Port Houston has been awarded federal funds for new infrastructure in their Project STORM.

Happy Tuesday

We love keeping up on the happenings at Port Houston.  We have a much to celebrate with funding they have received in the past to innovate this Texas asset; please see our blog for their past wins.  We have more help funding the port’s modernization.    

Did anyone see the Port Houston’s Port Report Newsletter: Volume 26, Issue 4 on April 30, 2026, they have an announcement titled, “Port Houston Awarded $48 million MARAD Grant for Bayport Terminal Expansion and Enhancements”?   The announcement is in regard to a Notice from Port Houston in regard to $48 million in federal funding from U.S Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) for enlargement of Bayport Container Terminal with a new 47-acre yard with east exit gate as well as modernization for electrical and communication systems.  The modernization and expansion for Bayport Container Terminal is part of Port Houston’s Strategic Terminal Operations & Resilience Measures also known as Project STORM.   As with many of the port’s projects Port Houston will be funding over $55 million, and this expansion will help Port Houston grow and continue being a leader in American ports.  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: MARAD-Awards-Port-Houston-48-million-PIDP-Grant-_Bayport-Truck-Gate-Expansion-STORM-Project_-Final1a-004.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!  

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

 

Oil Rustlers stealing Texas oil!

Happy Monday!  Welcome back to another week of ESC News Blog!    

We read an update to a Blog we wrote on back in September 2025 on Texas’ STOPTHEFT Task force taking applications and our possible problem of oil rustling in Texas.  (See our Blog last year for details.)     

Did anyone happen to read Chron First Draft Newsletter on May 4, 2026, they reprinted an article from JALOPNIK titled, “Welcome To The Wild West, Where Texas Loses Nearly A Billion Dollars of Oil A Year To Thieves”?  The article speaks in regard to the Texas’ Permian Basin has modern day rustlers rustling oil.   The article goes on to say an oil producing county in Martin County Sheriff’s Office gets calls weekly on missing oil, and with today’s prices means millions, if not billion dollars yearly.  The Permian Basin has many oil fields with minimal security, and the rustlers know it and cattle aren’t telling who the culprit is.  The rustlers have a new scheme where they rent specialized supply trucks and get in line during peak hours pretend to be there for something like wastewater and leave with oil, and drive over the border which is less than 200 miles away.  The FBI started to look into the problem in the late 2000s and even made a task force which in turn made Texas take notice.  Railroad Commission of Texas last year formed the STOPTHEFT Task Force to look into the missing oil dilemma and their findings are expected by the end of the year.  We will keep you informed, if we hear anything else on the STOPTHEFT task force or on the missing oil dilemma. If you would like to read more of Houston Chronicle’s reprinted article on MSN, please click the link: Welcome to the wild west, where Texas loses nearly a billion dollars of oil a year to thieves.

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! 

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

 

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

The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) released their April-May monthly reports for Monthly Energy Review, Petroleum Supply Monthly and others for 2026, 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 Marketing Monthly by clicking the link: https://www.eia.gov/petroleum/marketing/monthly/.

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

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 Natural Gas Monthly by clicking the link: Natural Gas Monthly Report.

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!

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 May 1, 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 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!  Keep dry!

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