U.S. SPR lowest in over forty years.

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

You know we like to keep up with the happenings at the Department of Energy and especially the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR).  We have been blogging on the U.S. SPR, and how they were making five rounds of deals for their Emergency Exchange Program, after trying to refill it the last couple years, and made it to around 415 million barrels.   Well, looks like the SPR has made a new low in over forty years. 

Did anyone happen to read MSN on August 10, 2026, they had an article from The Independent titled, “US oil reserve just hit a low not seen since 1983”?   In the article, it speaks on how the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve has lowered to a level not seen in over forty years, 1983.  The SPR new level is 298.7 million barrels with more to be released as to the agreements made for the Emergency Exchange Program since early in the year.  The release was due to the request from the countries belonging to the International Energy Agency to stabilize prices, after the start of the U.S. Israel’s military action against Iran.  According to the article’s sources the SPR may reduce to 70 million barrels and still function properly, nonetheless part of the reserve’s oil is unavailable due to unforeseen circumstances or scheduled maintenance.  Well, if we hear anything else on the U.S. SPR, we will let you know.  If you would like to read more of the article from The Independent published on MSN, please click the link: US oil reserve just hit a low not seen since 1983.

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! Keep dry!

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

 

U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released their Monthly Reports for Petroleum Marketing and others, are all now available on their website!

Happy Friday!

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released their Monthly Reports for Petroleum Marketing, and others for week ending August 7, 2026, they are now available from the EIA website. 

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

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!

Good luck preparing the kids for back to school.  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 7, 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!

It’s Back to School Tax-Free weekend here is Texas, hence get out and get some cool clothes and school supplies for you and your kids.  Good luck getting ready for school!  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!

MMA proposing changes to Arctic Exploratory Drilling regulations.

Happy Thursday!

We have an announcement from U.S. Department of Interior’s newly restored Marine Minerals Administration (MMA) and looks like they will be making at least some of the rules for offshore oil and gas leases.  Last August the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) made some changes on how they use the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Outer Continental Shelf for the Gulf of America (Mexico), (See our Blog at the end of the month for details) and streamlined approvals for new oil and gas leases.  Well, looks like drilling in the Arctic has changes coming.  Let’s dig in. 

Did anyone happen to receive the U.S. Department of Interior’s News Release on August 6, 20265, their News Release titled, “Department of the Interior Proposes Targets Updates to Arctic Exploratory Drilling Rule to Advance American Energy Dominance”?  In the release, it speaks on how Department of Interior’s Marine Minerals Administration has posted in the Federal Registrar for possible changes for exploratory drilling on the Arctic Outer Continental Shelf which the Obama Administration enacted a decade ago.  The goal is to streamline federal regulations to get America drilling in the Arctic again, and to incorporate the innovations for exploratory drilling.  Some of the requests from the DOI is in regard to updating conditions for Arctic OCS blowout preventer (BOP) real-time monitoring, adding new conditions to the BSEE’s regulations, as well as amend segments of the BOEM’s Exploration Plan (EP) and others.  If you would like to see the suggested changes in the Federal Registrar and make comments; please click the link: Federal Register:: Oil and Gas and Sulfur Operations on the Outer Continental Shelf-Revisions to the Requirements for Exploratory Drilling on the Arctic Outer Continental Shelf.  We let you know, if we hear anything else from the MMA.  If you would like to read more of the U.S. Department of Interior’s News Release, please click the link: Department of the Interior Proposes Targeted Updates to Arctic Exploratory Drilling Rule to Advance American Energy Dominance | U.S. Department of the Interior.

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!

We hope you have a wonderful evening!

**Disclaimer: Please see the News Release from the U.S. DOI for exact information. **

Solar energy reached 3-terawatts this year.

Happy Wednesday!

You know we embrace all energy because we like out air-conditioning and lights.  In spite of people’s thoughts on different types of energy, one type has reached new heights!  Solar! Let’s see what harnessing the sun has done for the grids around the world.   

Did anyone happen to read the Energy Connects Newsletter on August 3, 2026, they had reprinted an article from Bloomberg titled, “The world crossed a major solar milestone. No one noticed.”?   In the article, it speaks on how the world passed a significant moment in regard to solar power; the world produced 3-terawatts, and we didn’t even see it.  Solar energy has been around for a while and it reached 100 GW back in the early 2010s, about a decade later the world hit 1-terrawatt and this year it hit 3-terawatts of solar power.  The build out of solar is happening not only in developed countries where initially their governments subsidized the costs, it is happening in undeveloped ones as the equipment has become less expensive to install.  It is expected to reach almost 10 terawatts in another decade as more countries add it to their grids.  Unfortunately, there will be a time the world will reach the top plateau for growth for this type of energy unless batteries are added to grids to harness the solar energy produced to use later in the day.  Well, this is good news for all the grids who have solar energy tied to it.  If you would like to read more of the Energy Connects reprinted Bloomberg article, please click the link: The World Crossed a Major Solar Milestone. No One Noticed.

If you would like help looking into how to transport your hydrocarbon product, 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 Energy Connects article. **

Port Freeport had their ribbon-cutting ceremony for their Harbor Channel Improvement Project.

Happy Tuesday!

We love keeping up on the happenings at ports along the Gulf Coast.   Port Freeport had something to celebrate last month.  They have completed modernizing the channel.    

Did anyone see the Port Freeport’s Announcement on August 3, 2026, they have an announcement titled, “07/30/2026 Freeport channel milestone expands vessel access, strengthens U.S. supply chains”?   The announcement is in regard to an U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Press Release on Port Freeport in regard to a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Freeport Harbor Channel Improvement Project last week with federal, state, and local dignitaries present to applaud the Port’s accomplishment.  The Freeport Harbor Channel Improvement Project has dredged to lower the channel and widen it to allow larger vessels to enter the waterway and navigate more safely, as well as made improvements on the upper turning basin.  The project has taken over a decade to complete, after its initial approval by Congress in mid-2010s.  The port project is another example of how public-private partnerships work, and they have been leading the innovative projects at Texas ports.  Congratulations, Port Freeport on a job well-done!  If you would like more information from the announcement on Port Freeport, please click the link: 07/30/2026 Freeport channel milestone expands vessel access, strengthens U.S. supply chains.

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 Freeport and the U.S. Army Corps. Of Engineers' Press Release for specific details. **

 

Another setback for Enbridge’s Line 5 Pipeline.

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

You know we love an update to previous blogs, and we have been keeping tabs on Enbridge’s Line 5 for a several years, and this important pipeline is in the news again. Well, it looks like the project is having another setback. 

Did anyone see the Associated Press’s AP Afternoon Wire Newsletter on August 1, 2026, their article titled, “Michigan Supreme Court rejects permit for Enbridge oil pipeline under Great Lakes”?  In the article, it speaks on how last week the Michigan Supreme Court rejected Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline permit from the Michigan Public Service Commission, which was approved back at the end 2023, (See our Blog in early December 2023 for details), and they need to reconsider how this tunnel will prolong the life of the pipeline and what effects it will have on environment.  Enbridge’s pipeline is a septuagenarian who connects Ontario Canada with Northwest Wisconsin, and it has a segment called Line 5 which runs under the Straits of Mackinac.   Many years ago, an anchor almost damaged Line 5 which runs across the floor bed, hence Enbridge decided they should make a tunnel under the straits to protect the four-mile pipeline segment.  Line 5 has been under fire ever since. We will try and keep you informed on anything else we hear on this important pipeline.  If you would like to read more of the article from the Associated Press, please click the link: Enbridge pipeline tunnel under Great Lakes rejected by Michigan court | 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!  Enjoy your last week with your kids before school starts next week. 

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

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

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

See what happened in United Arab Emirates 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 MER, Petroleum Supply Monthly and others are now available!

The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) released their July 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 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, 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 July 31, 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!

Agrivoltaics is having solar farms and family ranches partnering up and it is a win for both.

Happy Thursday!  Hope you have found a place to keep cool. 

We blogged on agrivoltaics around 2 years ago.  We thought an update on this partner of energy was warranted.  Let’s get started.

Did anyone happen to read the Houston Chronicle’s Texas Inc. Section on July 26, 2026, they reprinted an article from The Dallas Morning News titled, ’The perfect intersection to keep agriculture alive – ‘Solar Sheep’ industry booms in Texas as ranchers and farmers try to co-exist with big energy projects’”?    The article, it goes on to speak on how agrivoltaics is alive and doing well in Texas according to the article.  Agrivoltaics is solar grazing which is when usually sheep or goat are brought in to graze on different areas of a solar farm or other energy provider.  Currently in the U.S. in thirty state there are 500 locations using this technique to maintain the vegetation under the solar panels or wind turbines.  The article discusses a group training tour on a solar farm, and how it may help ranchers with another avenue of venue and help keep the family run ranch or farm alive.   In Texas in the last twenty-five years, almost 4 million acres have been repurposed from agricultural land to nonagricultural according to sources in the article.  As Texas continues to lead the country in renewables like solar, land still needs to be maintained, and large equipment doesn’t always work under equipment like solar panels nonetheless the grounds still need to be maintained and small animals like sheep are up to the task.  We wish the sheep, “Happy eating!”  If you would like to read more of the article from The Morning Dallas News, check it out on MSN, please click the link: 'Solar sheep' industry booms in Texas as ranchers and farmers try to co-exist with bigenergy projects.

If you would like more information on agrivoltaics, contact the American Solar Grazing Association.

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 The Morning Dallas News on MSN article. **

 

Mexico LNG export facility had a win and a setback in the same month.

Happy Wednesday!

We have spoken on Sempra Infrastructure’s Port Arthur LNG and their Cameron LNG, nonetheless we haven’t discussed their one in Baji California, Mexico.  Let’s find out a bit on this export LNG facility.    

Did anyone happen to read the Oil & Gas Journal’s OGJ Daily Update Newsletter on July 28, 2026, their article titled, “Sempra extends ECA LNG Phase 1 commissioning due to compressor damage”?   The article goes on to speak on Sempra Infrastructure’s small LNG facility in Ensenada, Baji California, Mexico.  Sempra’s Energía Costa Azul (ECA) LNG has one LNG train and was constructed to process 3.25 million tpy of Permian Basin natural gas to supply Asia.  At the end of 2025, ECA was mechanically ready and they began commissioning in the Spring of 2026, then in July they exported their first LNG shipment.  After the shipment, ECA was having check during shut down, and a refrigerant compressor was found damage.  ECA has decided to delay the final commissioning to the end of 2026, this will allow the facility to determine the underlying cause of the damage and repair the damage.  If we hear anything else on the ECA LNG, we will let you know.   We wish Sempra luck getting the facility repaired and back on track.  If you would like to read more of the Oil & Gas Journal’s article, please click the link:   Sempra extends ECA LNG Phase 1 commissioning due to compressor damage | 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. **

Another LNG export facility in Louisiana has advanced by receiving a federal permit.

Happy Tuesday!

Did anyone happen to read the Oil & Gas Journal’s OGJ Daily Update Newsletter on July 27, 2026, their article titled, “Argent LNG wins DOE approval to export to free-trade agreement countries”?   The article goes on to speak on another LNG project in Louisiana which was approved by the U.S. Department of Energy last week with a presidential permit which allows them to export to free-trade agreement (FTA) countries for two decades from their first commercial shipment of LNG, and their non-FTA permit is still under review.   Argent LNG filed to have their future 25 million tpy LNG facility approved.  The facility is expected to have up to twelve modular LNG trains, two storage tanks and a 350 MW gas-fired power plant and two marine berths.  The facility will be constructed Port Fourchon, Louisiana which is the southernmost port on the southern tip of the state. Well, the company is in the beginning of the process to have their LNG export facility approved and construction isn’t expected for over a year with 2030 as its completion date, if we hear anything else on the facility, we will let you know.   We wish them luck with advancing their project.  If you would like to read more of the Oil & Gas Journal’s article, please click the link:   Argent LNG wins DOE approval to export to free-trade agreement countries | 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. **

Big Rooter Power has broken ground on a large solar project in Robertson County.

Happy Monday!  Welcome back to another week of ESC News Blog.  We hope you have been enjoying the end of Summer; the beginning of school is around the corner. 

Well, we like all forms of energy when it comes to powering grid.  Well, even though Texas has been had more solar and renewables coming online we haven’t heard much from them.   A large solar project has started in East Texas, let’s get into the details.   

Did anyone happen to read Chron’s First Draft Newsletter on July 25, 2026, their article titled, “’Largest solar project on a former coal site is coming to Texas”?    The article, it goes on to speak on how a new 1.2GW solar project called, ‘Big Rooter Power’ worth $1.7 billion is being constructed between Houston and Dallas on a coal mining site.   Panamint Capital owns the project and they have started the first phase Big Rooter West which will generate approximately 491-MW once completed and it is expected online August 2028.  Phase two, ‘Big Rooter East’ has anticipated beginning construction at the end of 2026, and it is expected to be online August 2029.  The project is part of a larger plan for an energy campus where thermal power, solar, battery energy storage system (Bess), and a data center will reside.  Well, this is good news to the Texas grid where power usage has broken new records recently.  We wish Panamint Capital luck bringing their renewable projects online.  If you would like to read more of Chron’s article, please click the link: Massive $1.7 billion solar project breaks ground in Texas.

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. EIA Monthly Reports for Electric Power and others are now available!

The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) released their July monthly reports for Electric Power and Electricity Update, they are now available on the EIA website.

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 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 weekend!