Venture Global LNG Inc. has filed with FERC to expand their Plaquemines LNG plant.

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

You know we love a follow-up, and we blogged on Venture Global LNG Inc. at the end of 2024 on how they were starting up their Plaquemines LNG plant in Port Sulphur, Louisiana.  They then loaded their first export of LNG on their Venture Bayou LNG tanker which headed to Germany.  Well, Venture Global is in the news again. 

Did anyone happen to read the Oil & Gas Journal’s OGJ Daily Update Newsletter on March 6, 2025, their article titled, “Venture Global starts preparing third phase of Plaquemine”?  In the article, it speaks on Venture Global LNG Inc. who has filed with the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for a third phase of their Plaquemines LNG plant which will increase their size by another 24 liquefaction trains and 18 million tonnes/ year. The article went on the discuss what their leadership expects in the future according to their recent call.  They believe the addition of Phase 3 will allow them to be adaptable with the fluctuation of the liquid natural gas market, and their final investment decision for the project will be in the summer of 2027.  Venture Global LNG’s Phase 3 estimated price is $18 billion, and the project will take a year and a half to two years to complete.  Venture Global LNG informed the current price of the first two phases of Plaquemines LNG plant as $19.8 billion and upon completion the price tag will increase another $3.5 to $4 billion.  Plaquemines LNG facility is expected to load between 219 to 239 vessels in 2025.  Venture Global LNG mentioned they are expecting their Calcasieu plant to export over 140 vessels, and the facility will be fully operational next month.  We wish Venture Global LNG Inc. luck in their completion of their plants.  If you would like to read more of the Oil & Gas Journal’s article, please click the link:   Venture Global starts preparing third phase of Plaquemines LNG plant | Oil & Gas Journal.

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!

It’s Day 7 of the Houston Livestock and Rodeo.  If you’re interested in going to 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!

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

 

U.S. EIA Monthly Reports for Petroleum Marketing Monthly, Densified Biomass Fuel, and Wholesale Electricity and Natural Gas Market Data are now available!

Happy Friday!

The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) released their monthly reports for Petroleum Marketing, Densified Biomass Fuel, and Wholesale Electricity and Natural Gas Market Data for March 2025, are now available on the EIA website.

See what happened in the Petroleum Marketing Monthly by clicking the link: Petroleum Marketing Monthly (PMM) - March 2025 With Data for December 2024.

See what happened in the Monthly Densified Biomass Fuel Report by clicking the link: U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA - Independent Statistics and Analysis.

See what happened in the Wholesale Electricity and Natural Gas Market Data by clicking the link: https://www.eia.gov/electricity/wholesale/.

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

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

Have a relaxing and enjoyable weekend!  Be safe! 

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

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

Happy Friday!  We hope you are enjoying the nice weather we have today!

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 March 7, 2025, are all now available from the EIA website. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s Day 4 of the Houston Livestock and Rodeo.  If you’re interested in going to 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 fun and relaxing weekend!  

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

  

Panama’s Ports of Balboa and Christobal may have new management!

Happy Thursday!    

Well, we blogged on Monday on the Panama Canal Authority and how they announced the Rio Indio Basin Project or Resolution No. ACP-JD-RM-25-1542.  Well, Panama’s canal and its ports were in the news for a big change which will be coming soon.

Did anyone see The Houston Chronicle’s Business Section on March 5, 2025, they reprinted an article from the Associated Press titled, “BlackRock Strikes Panama Canal deal giving U.S. control”?  In the article, it speaks on how the international company of CK Hutchingson Holdings has accepted an offer from the BlackRock group to purchase the controlling interest from Hutchingson Port Holdings and Hutchingson Port Group Holdings who manages 43 ports in 23 countries, including Panama’s ports of Balboa and Christobal, as well as ports in Mexico, the Netherlands, Egypt, Australia, Pakistan, and so on.  The BlackRock group includes BlackRock, Inc as well as BlackRock ancillary Global Infrastructure Partners and Terminal Investment Limited.  The BlackRock group will pay almost $23 billion and $5 billion in debt for the control over 43 ports. The deal will need the consent from Panamanian government.  Hutchingson Ports had been given a no-bid extension contract for a 25-years to manage the ports, nonetheless the contract was being reviewed since the accusations from the U.S.   If we hear any other news which effects the Panama Canal or its Ports, we will surely post the information.  If you would like to read more of Associated Press’ article for free on msn, please click the link: BlackRock strikes deal to bring ports on both sides of Panama Canal under Americancontrol.

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

It’s Day 3 of the Houston Livestock and Rodeo.  If you’re interested in going to 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 Associated Press’ article. **

It’s unanimous! Battleship Texas has officially found its forever home!

Happy Wednesday! 

We love a follow-up and an update.  Battleship Texas was in the news for an update on its new home, and the Galveston Wharves’ three-member Battleship Texas Ad Hoc Committee’s recommendation went to the Board this week.

Did anyone happen to read Chron. Gulf Coast’s Newsletter on March 4, 2025, their article titled, “Galveston Wharves board decides final home for Battleship Texas”?  In the article, it goes on the speak about how the Galveston Wharves’ three-member Battleship Texas Ad Hoc Committee brought their recommendation of Pier 15 to the full Galveston Wharves Board on Wednesday, and they agreed for Pier 15 to become the final resting place for the USS Texas aka Battleship Texas.  Pier 15 is near the newest cruise terminal which is expected to be completed in November.  While Battleship Texas is completing its repairs and renovations the Battleship Texas Foundation will be wrapping up its contract with Galveston Wharves, a few other things need to be completed prior to the USS Texas moving including a marine and traffic evaluation, an environmental endorsement as well as a strategy and completion of deepening the final resting place before it will be moved to Pier 15, nonetheless they are expecting the ship will be open to the public by the end of the year.  The USS Texas’ repairs and renovations have exceeded the amount the state set aside of $35 million and with additional government and private contributions it has increased to $40 million.  We will keep you apprised of anything else we hear.  We wish them much luck moving this decorated battleship to its new home of Pier 15!  If you would like to read more of the Chron. Gulf Coast’s article, please click the link: Battleship Texas finally finds new home after years of contentious debate.

The Battleships Texas Foundation has more information on the status of this great ship, so please check their website for further details.  If you would like to help with donations for this wonderful project, please check out their website by clicking the link: Battleship Texas Foundation.

If you would like help in looking into how to update your liquids terminal, so it runs more efficiently, safely, and with less of a carbon footprint, contact us via email in the Blog or our ESC website!

Don’t forget it is Day 2 of the Houston Livestock and Rodeo, so please check their website for daily activities and information.

We hope you enjoy your evening! 

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

 

The EPA’s Methane Waste Emissions Charge will now be a distant memory!

Happy Tuesday!    

Well, we love a follow-up nonetheless this isn’t the ending we expected for the EPA’s Waste Emission Charge (WEC), please see our Blog in January 2024 for what might have been. 

Did anyone happen to read the Oil & Gas Journal’s OGJ Daily Update Newsletter on March 4, 2025, their article titled, “Congress kills Biden-era methane fee”?  In the article, it goes on speak on how the GOP-ruled Congress voted to repeal the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Waste Emissions Charge (WEC) last week and it has been sent to the oval office for the President’s signature.  WEC was one step of the Methane Emissions Reduction Program which is part of the Inflation Reduction Act which was adopted by Congress in 2022.  WEC was aimed at reducing methane pollution which encouraged oil and natural gas companies to reduce their methane emissions to below 25,000 tonnes per year (TPY) or pay a fee of $900 per metric ton for anything over starting in 2024 and would’ve increased by $300 in 2025 and again in 2026 and so on.  The fee was a way to nudge the industry to ratify best practices to lower emissions instead of paying the fee.  Well, many of the big oil and gas companies have implemented emission reduction strategies and they began policing themselves (See our Blog in March 2024 for details), so the fee would not have applied to them.  The threat of the WEC fee seemed to spark the oil and gas industry to make changes and many oil and gas companies implemented emission reduction strategies and/or applied standards to their respective company.  Well, let’s hope in spite of the WEC going away we don’t lose the momentum to clean up methane emissions.  Communities around the oil and gas industry deserve better air quality!  If you would like to read more of the Oil & Gas Journal’s article, please click the link:   Congress kills Biden-era methane fee | Oil & Gas Journal.

If you would like help in looking into how to reduce your methane emissions with emission controls and/or help with adopting best practices, contact us via email in the Blog or ESC's website!

It’s the opening day of the Houston Livestock and Rodeo.  If you’re interested in going to 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 andRodeo Website.

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. **

 

The Panama Canal has earmarked funding for their reservoir project!

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

Well, you know we love an update and last February the Panama Canal Authority announced they were planning on spending $8.5 billion for their capital investment budget over five years to aid in their net-zero goals by 2050 and help with the sustainability of this important waterway.  (Please see our Blog last February for details.)  Well, looks like they found a first step in a plan for keeping the country’s population and the waterway drought resistant.   

Did anyone happen to read gCaptain Daily Newsletter on February 28, 2025, their article titled, “Panama Canal Advances Rio Indio Reservoir Project to Secure Water Supply After Historic Drought”?  The article speaks in regard to the Panama Canal Authority’s recent announcement they have officially earmarked money for the building of a new reservoir in the Rio Indio Basin or Resolution No. ACP-JD-RM-25-1542.  The Rio Indio Basin project is a major part of their Water Projects Program which was brought about because of the 2023 -2024 drought which effected the region and slowed the transits thru this important waterway and the communities around the canal.  The Panama Canal Authority anticipates the project will take six years to completion.  They will be relocating families which lived in the region for generations away to other areas and will be financially compensating them and other affected landowners in the region for their property.  Last August there was a survey started which is collecting information on the community members in the area and it is expected to wrap up by the end of April 2025.  The Panama Canal Authority has been trying to involve the community by having meetings and opening community relations offices in the affected regions.  Well, this sounds like a huge undertaking!  We wish them luck in making this important waterway draught resistant!  If you would like to read more of gCaptain’s article, please click the link: Panama Canal Advances Rio Indio Reservoir Project to Secure Water Supply After Historic Drought.

If you would like help in looking into how to update your terminal and docks, 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 rest of your week!

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