Louisiana refinery getting an upgrade.

Happy Thursday!  Yes, by accident we had yesterday’s Blog as Thursday; we corrected it.  I guess you could say we are ready for the weekend or just for the day to end!

It seems there has been lots of mumbling on the U.S. need more refining capacity, and especially for light crude.   Well, someone heard and it looks like some is coming to a Gulf Coast refinery.  Let’s dig in.

Did anyone happen to read the Oil & Gas Journal’s OGJ Daily Update Newsletter on September 4, 2026, their article titled, “Citgo approves new processing unit for Lake Charles refinery”?   The article goes on to speak on Citgo Petroleum Corp. verified earlier this week they have made a final investment decision (FID) on adding to their Lake Charles refinery at an investment of $310 million.  The project is called Lake Charles Refinery depentanizer project (LCRDP), and the unit is expected to help them improve their naphtha processes to use in premium gasoline blends with a completion date of 2029.  This investment is to help extend the life of octogenarian refinery who has had some improvements over the last five years to increase processing.  We will let you know, if we hear anything else on the any other refineries making improvements.  If you would like to read more of the Oil & Gas Journal’s article, please click the link:   Citgo approves new processing unit for Lake Charles refinery | Oil & Gas Journal.

Our team has experience in developing hydrocarbon storage facilities as well as helping you transport your hydrocarbons, so if you too would like to get a project going, we’re here to help!  Don’t forget to check out our ESC website or contact us via the email in the Blog!

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. **

Bechtel Energy hands over the keys to Cheniere Energy’s CCL Stage 3.

Happy Wednesday!  

We love a follow-up and good news, so it seemed fitting to speak on another update from Cheniere Energy Inc.’s Corpus Christi facility.  Back in March we blogged about Cheniere Energy Inc.’s Corpus Christi facility and their Stage 3 liquefaction project (CCL Stage 3) receiving their U.S. Department of Energy authorizations for non-Free trade Agreement Countries.   Well, they are in the news again!

Did anyone happen to read the Oil & Gas Journal’s OGJ Daily Update Newsletter on September 1, 2026, their article titled, “Cheniere reaches substantial completion at CCL Stage 3”?   The article goes on to speak on how Cheniere Energy Inc. has received the keys from Bechtel Energy for their CCL Stage 3 project last week.  After over four years of work Bechtel Energy has completed most of the work on CCL Stage 3, with the first train of CCL3 completed in the Spring of 2025.  Cheniere’s CCL Stage 3 project involved constructing six midscale trains and related infrastructure.   With the completion of CCL Stage 3 at their Corpus Christi plant and their Sabine Pass plant; they can produce around 56 million tpy.  On another note: Earlier this summer Cheniere obtained approval from the U.S. Federal Regulatory Commission (FERC) to add another two midscale trains.   Cheniere last week reached another milestone they exported its 5000th vessel of LNG out of one of its Gulf Coasts facilities.  We congratulate Cheniere Energy on their CCL Stage 3 project reaching this milestone.  If you would like to read more of the Oil & Gas Journal’s article, please click the link:   Cheniere reaches substantial completion at CCL Stage 3 | Oil & Gas Journal.

Our team has experience in developing hydrocarbon storage facilities as well as helping you transport your hydrocarbons, so if you too would like to get a project going, we’re here to help!  Don’t forget to check out our ESC website or contact us via the email in the Blog!

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. **

 

NSMV I ‘Empire State VII’ has been called to active duty.

Happy Tuesday!  We hope you were able to keep dry today!  It appears Edouard has moved inland and hasn’t rained too much in the Houston area so far.  We’ll cross our fingers it isn’t too much more rain. 

We love to write about things which connect to our previous blogs, and U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) Program has been in our Blog for several years now with them delivering new vessels to our Maritime Academies around the U.S.  Texas A&M University (TAMU) – Galveston Maritime Academy NSMV training ship, TS Lone Star State, set sail on her maiden voyage back in July; please check out of blog for details. Well, the thing you hope won’t happen has and it is affecting one of the Maritime Academies and their vessel.  Let’s dig in.

Did anyone happen to read gCaptain Daily Newsletter on September 1, 2026, their article titled, “MARAD Says No Other Suitable Ship Available for Classified Empire State VII Mission”?  The article speaks in regard to the first completed NSMV ‘Empire State VII’ who docked at the SUNY Maritime College at the State University of New York has been called to active duty for at least 170 days starting September 1^st, 2026.  NSMV ‘Empire State VII’ was called up last week from U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) for a classified mission, and the vessel was called up at the request of the Military Sealift Command through the U.S. Fleet Forces Command according to the article.  The academy prepared the NSMV for its mission.  Well, it is sad when a vessel needs to leave, then this is a national security multi-mission vessel, and it is fulfilling its duties to help when its needed, nonetheless this is a disruption to a school and educating our future mariners.   We hope the NSMV ‘Empire State VII’ has a safe journey and its home soon educating our future mariners. If we hear anything else on this NSMV Program and its vessels, we will let you know.  If you would like to read more of gCaptain’s article, please click the link: MARAD Says No Other Suitable Ship Available for Classified Empire State VII Mission.

If you would like help in looking into how to update your liquids petroleum terminal or see what’s under your feet to help reduce your emissions, contact us via the email in the Blog and check out our ESC website for contact information!

We hope you have a wonderful evening, and a great rest of your week! Stay safe and dry. 

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

U.S. DOE published the NPC’s subsurface report with their five main suggestions for a more productive future.

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

Well, we all knew the National Petroleum Council (NPC) would have more to say, after their first two reports in December 2025, giving their ideas on how to improve the regulatory and permitting to get the energy sector moving.   Well, looks like they are addressing subsurface infrastructure in their next report.  Let’s dig in.

Did anyone happen to read the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrocarbon and Geothermal Energy Office Release on August 31, 2026, their announcement, “Energy Department Announces National Petroleum Council Report to Unlock America’s Vast Energy Resources”?  In the announcement, U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Hydrocarbon and Geothermal Office published the National Petroleum Council’s (NPC), “American Resources for a Secure Future: A National Cooperative Subsurface Assessment Program Report”.  In the NPC’s report, they have given five main ideas on how to improve how the U.S. should consider, distinguish, and oversee development of underground reserves and storage for oil and gas, geothermal, strategic minerals, and others, as well as develop and use public-private partnerships, make a national database as a way to track and share data and use innovative equipment, and invest in the next generation workforce.  Well, it will be interesting to see what the DOE does with these ideas in the future.  We will keep you informed if we hear anything else from the U.S. DOE.  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 Announces National Petroleum Council Report to Unlock America’s Vast Energy Resources | 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. EIA Monthly Reports for MER, Electric Power and others are now available!

The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) released their August monthly reports for Energy Review, Electric Power and Electricity Update, 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 Electric Power Monthly by clicking the link: https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/.

See what happened in the Electricity Monthly Update by clicking the link: https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/update/.

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

Don’t forget High School Football season has begun in Texas.  Go Lamar Texans!  HISD’s Lamar Texans take on Manvel tonight for their home opener at DelMar Stadium. 

Have a relaxing 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 August 28, 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 cool!

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

 

OSU run wave energy testing facility is open for business.

Happy Thursday! 

You know we love all kinds of energy.  Well, one type of energy you don’t hear much on is marine energy.  Marine energy includes under its heading: tidal, ocean, wave and river current.  We have a few Blogs on a couple of marine energy projects from abroad as well as in the U.S., unfortunately we don’t have much on wave energy which appears to be changing.   Let’s see what has changed for this type of marine energy. 

Did anyone see the Associated Press’s AP Afternoon Wire Newsletter on August 26, 2026, their article titled, “Wave energy testing site opens off Oregan, a green energy milestone in the Trump Administration”?  In the article, it speaks on how publicly funded and government regulated test site is open for business which was designed and constructed by Oregan State University (OSU) called PacWave South.   PacWave South connected to the grid earlier in the summer and is ready to help with this promising carbon-free renewable energy.  The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) provided almost $150 million over the last ten years to bring this facility to life.  PacWave South is pre-permitted for several types of wave tech and has real-world conditions which helps most wave energy technologies ventures with lowering costs and saving time to bring the emerging industry to life.  We will let you know, if we hear anything else on this promising carbon-free energy source.   If you would like to read more of the article from the Associated Press, please click the link: Trump administration wants electricity from ocean waves, not wind | AP News.

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

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

**Disclaimer: You may be charged a fee to read the Associated Press’ article. **

Another Natural Gas Pipeline coming out of the Permian Basin is moving closer to reality.

Happy Wednesday!

Did anyone happen to read Storage Terminals Magazine’s Weekly Newsletter on August 26, 2026, their article titled, “Solitude Pipeline System Reaches Final Investment Decision to Transport Gas From The Permian Basin To The Gulf Coast”?   In the article, it speaks on how a joint venture which includes WhiteWater Midstream, Devon Energy Corporation, MPLX LP, Diamondback Energy, Western Midstream Partners, and others have decided to forward with their final investment decision for their Solitude Pipeline System.  The Solitude Pipeline System will include two 48-inch natural gas pipelines going from the Permian Basin to Katy, Texas; the first line is expected to be completed and permitted the end of 2029 and the second a year later.  We wish the Solitude Pipeline System Venture luck acquiring their permitting and completing the project on time and on budget.  If you would like to read more of Storage Terminals Magazine’s Weekly Newsletter’s article, please click the link: Solitude Pipeline System reaches final investment decision to transport gas from thePermian Basin to the Gulf Coast.

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 reduce emissions 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 Storage Terminals Magazine’s article. **

Texas Port is the second port to sign a Memorandum of Cooperation with MARAD for nuclear technology.

Happy Tuesday!

You know we try to keep up with Texas Ports, see our previous Blogs on some of the monetary awards they have received from state and federal authorities in the past.   Texas Ports have adopted renewable energy sources including electric, solar, and hydrogen to reduce their carbon footprint.  Well, one Texas port is investigating and possibly adopting another energy source; nuclear.  Let’s talk on what they are going to be trying.

Did anyone happen to read the gCaptain Daily Newsletter August 20, 2026, their article titled, “Port of Corpus Christi Joins U.S. Push for Nuclear-Powered Shipping”?  In the article, it spoke on how the Port of Corpus Christi has become the second U.S. Port to sign on to U.S. Maritime Administrations (MARAD) push to investigate and adopt nuclear energy sources in particular small modular reactors (SMR).  Port of Corpus Christi and MARAD have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to investigate adoption of using SMRs as one of their energy sources to power their microgrids and other port framework, as well as possibly helping to develop a port workforce who can use nuclear innovations to aid in daily tasks, as well as having facilities for nuclear powered vessels. The Port of Long Beach was the first U.S. port to sign onto MARAD’s push to investigate and find uses for nuclear energy.  We wish the Port of Corpus Christi luck finding uses for nuclear energy.  If you would like to read more of the gCaptain’s article, please click the link:   Port of Corpus Christi Joins U.S. Push for Nuclear-Powered Shipping.

If you would like help in looking into how to move your liquids and reduce your emissions, 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 gCaptain’s article. **

CTX project has had two partners sign an agreement to move one of the smaller flood control projects forward.

Happy Monday!  Welcome back to another week of ESC News Blog.  We hope you have been enjoying the end of Summer.

Well, we like to keep up with the happenings on the Gulf Coast, and we especially pay attention to the Coastal Texas Project (CTX) and its “Ike Dike” and other storm mitigation projects along the Texas coastline.  The Gulf Coast Protection District and their partners chose 2 engineering firms back in December 2025, to start design on the protection for Galveston Bay and Boliver Peninsula regions; see our Blog back in mid-December 2025.  Well, two of the partners have come to agreement for another area of the Texas Coastal Project; let’s get into the details.  

Did anyone happen to read Chron’s First Draft Newsletter on August 24, 2026, their article titled, “State, feds take big step toward massive Coastal Texas Project”?    The article, it goes on to speak on how the Texas General Land Office (GLO) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement to work together on one of the smaller projects of the Coastal Texas Project for South Padre Island.  The South Padre Island project will be restoring and fortifying the ecosystem which includes dunes, beaches, and other habitat on this important barrier island which will help mitigate storm damage, and it is part of the Coastal Storm Risk Management section of the CTX project.  Now with the MOU in place the partners may move for working together to get construction moving on this barrier island project.  The GLO has already vowed $50 million to CTX project.  We wish the GLO and USACE luck getting the CTX: South Padre Island project designed and completed.  If you would like to read more of Chron’s article, please click the link: Texas flood control project inches one step closer to reality.

If you would like help in looking into how to transport your hydrocarbon products 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!  Keep cool!

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

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

Happy Friday!

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released their Monthly Reports for Wholesale Electricity for week ending August 21, 2026, it is now available from the EIA website. 

See what happened in the Wholesale Electricity and Natural Gas Market Data by clicking the link: Wholesale Electricity and Natural Gas Markets data.

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 relaxing weekend!  Keep cool!

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 August 21, 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 cool!

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

 

BLM’s Geothermal Lease Sale in Oregon was a success!

Happy Thursday!

We try to keep up with all the energy related sales the U.S. Government has throughout the year.  Well, the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management, recently had a sale we don’t normally see, and it was for geothermal leases in Oregon.  Let’s see what happened during this sale. 

Did anyone happen to read EnergyTech’s Transition Newsletter on August 19, 2026, their article titled, “Oregan Geothermal Federal Lease Bid Hits $1M to Drill in the Mount Hood National Forest”?  In the article, it speaks on how the U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) had a Geothermal Lease Sale last week for Mount Hood National Forest in Oregon and the results were announced.   The BLM approved two of the twenty-one bids they received for the geothermal lease sale with the accepted bids being worth over $1.1 million and covering 9,600 acres of the national forest.   The article goes on to speak of the Department of Energy’s funding opportunities for over $170 million for advancing geothermal energy (See our Blog in late February 2026, for details).   We wish the winning bidders luck advancing geothermal energy in the region! If you would like to read more of the article from EnergyTech, please click the link: Oregon Geothermal Federal Lease Bid Hits $1M to Drill in the Mount Hood National Forest | 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. **

A proposed Texas seaport had their MARAD terminal deepwater port license vacated.

Happy Wednesday!

We have been trying to keep up with offshore terminal industry, and where they are going to be located around the US (See our Blog on other Deepwater Seaports projects including details on Texas GulfLink, February 2025).   Well, we have an update on one planned off the coast of Texas, and it wasn’t good news. 

Did anyone happen to read the Oil & Gas Journal’s OGJ Daily Update Newsletter on August 17, 2026, their article titled, “Federal court voids Texas GulfLink license over agency’s ‘serious procedural errors’”?   The article goes on to speak on how a lawsuit from an environmental group caused a US Maritime Administration (MARAD) terminal deepwater port license for Sentinel Midstream LLC’s Texas GulfLink to be vacated by the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit last week.   The Appellate court found MARAD didn’t take into consideration the Deepwater Port Act of 1974 which says in a nutshell pipelines cannot intersect or overlay, and unfortunately Enterprise Product Partners’ Sea Port Oil Terminal (SPOT) and Sentinel Midstream LLC’S Texas GulfLink proposed pipelines overlap.  The vacated MARAD license has caused the license to be voided, nonetheless MARAD will have to take another look at the application and allow Sentinel Midstream a chance to correct the issues.  We wish Sentinel Midstream luck resolving their issues!  If you would like to read more of the Oil & Gas Journal’s article, please click the link:   Federal court voids Texas GulfLink over agency’s ‘serious procedural errors’ | Oil & Gas Journal.

Our team has experience in developing hydrocarbon storage facilities as well as helping you transport your hydrocarbons, so if you too would like to get a project going, we’re here to help!  Don’t forget to check out our ESC website or contact us via the email in the Blog!

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

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

Alaska’s North Slope has a long-time company striking oil!

Happy Tuesday!

We haven’t heard much from ConocoPhillips in a while. We have spoken on their various operations around ConocoPhillips North Slope over the years, see our Blogs on the details.  Well, We heard some good news on one of ConocoPhillips operations on State not Federal land.      

Did anyone happen to read the Oil & Gas Journal’s OGJ Daily Update Newsletter on August 13, 2026, their article titled, “ConocoPhillips Alaska’s Coyote 3SX project achieves first oil”?   The article goes on to speak on how ConocoPhillips Alaska has struck oil at their Coyote 3SX well at the Kuparuk River Unit (KRU) on the North Slope, and once fully operational it is anticipated to produce 12,000 barrels per day.   ConocoPhillips’ Coyote 3SX is located on a state leased land.   The project was allocated $800 million in the Fall of 2025, and they began building the operation in the beginning of 2026. ConocoPhillips’ project includes a pad, pipeline and 19-well drilling plan.  The Coyote 3SX project connects to their existing operations and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System.   We will let you know, if we hear anything else on the North Slope in Alaska.  If you would like to read more of the Oil & Gas Journal’s article, please click the link:   ConocoPhillips Alaska’s Coyote 3SX project achieves first oil | Oil & Gas Journal.

Our team has experience in developing hydrocarbon storage facilities as well as helping you transport your hydrocarbons, so if you too would like to get a project going, we’re here to help!  Don’t forget to check out our ESC website or contact us via the email in the Blog!

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

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