Achieving Energy Independence Overestimated

In the Houston Chronicle is a great article about energy independence titled "Energy `independence' is easier said than done" (click on the link to view it.) It discusses the global nature of the oil business and how energy flows around the planet. It also points out some issues regarding energy security that are relevant to the discussion. I highly recommend the article.

Until we truly have alternative energy sources that can replace oil, we will not be energy independent. We must look beyond fuels like ethanol and biodiesel to radically new technologies. We need to be thinking "science-fiction-like" technology, not a re-hash of the same old thing. The future will belong to the engineers and scientists who develop the new "power pack" that will power the future.

Green Refinery?

New technology is coming quickly that will revolutionize the way we manufacture fuel. Here is another example.

'Green refinery' would be a first

Plant's aim is to capture carbon emissions

Plastic From Sugar Coming Soon

Plastics from sugar is a further shift to renewables and away from petroleum.


Bacteria Ready to Make Plastic From Sugar

Eric Bland, Discovery News

Sept. 26, 2008 -- Claims of biology-based oil and plastic usually bear the caveat "in five years." But a San Diego-based company claims they will have a pilot plant for production of E. coli-based 1,4 butanediol (BDO), the base chemical for plastic products ranging from Spandex to car bumpers, next year.

"We are able to...(complete article here).

Drilling Bill? Don't Count On It

It is politics at its worst in regard to passing an energy bill in the months leading up to the Presidential election. There will be parts of any legislation that is introduced that will make it unacceptable to the opposing party. It will stall and die. What a sad way to treat the American people.

Drilling takes center stage on Capitol Hill
Ideas galore, but an energy bill seems unlikely to make it out alive

Gulf of Mexico Lease Revenue

This is good news for the State of Texas and longer-term, for gasoline prices in the U.S.

Western Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 207 Attracts $487,297,676 in High Bids

New Oil Terminal on Texas Coast

New oil infrastructure is necessary due to the significant aging of existing facilities. With the expansion of refineries on the Texas Coast, this new oil terminal will facilitate offloading tankers to supply those refineries.

Platform may take 20 percent of oil imports

Project is expected to cost $1.8 billion

By John Porretto
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, August 19, 2008

HOUSTON — An oil terminal and pipeline network expected to be built off the Texas Gulf Coast and open in about two years would be capable of handling nearly 20 percent of the nation's daily imported oil.

Demand from expanding refineries along the coast, from Freeport to Port Arthur, is driving the...(complete article here).

EPA Blows The Call on This One

The corn grower's lobby wins another one.

EPA rejects Texas request to cut ethanol waiver

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Thursday it denied a request by Texas to cut the federal ethanol mandate requiring 9 billion gallons of ethanol and other renewable fuels to be blended into gasoline this year.

The EPA said...(complete article here).

New Five Year OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program

As the energy situation changes we must also change policies and procedures.

Interior Department Initiates New Five Year Oil and Gas Leasing Program for Outer Continental Shelf

Seeks Public Comment to Address Changed Energy Situation

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Saying the nation’s energy situation has dramatically changed in the past year, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today jumpstarted the development of a new oil and natural gas leasing program for the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf. The action could give the next administration a two-year head start in expanding energy production from federal offshore jurisdictions, including some areas where a congressional ban had prevented oil and gas development.

“When our current five-year program for Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas leasing was...(complete article here).

Texas PUF to Benefit From Oil Land Deal

The old boys that sat down and wrote the Texas Constitution back in 1876 certainly created a blessing for the future college students of the state. They probably had no idea what they set in motion -- but they did a good thing.

UT banking on profit from oil land dealsUp to $1 billion possible to beef up its endowment

By JANET ELLIOTT
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

AUSTIN — The University of Texas System is looking to trade on high oil prices — and potentially raise up to $1 billion for its endowment — by selling future production from land it manages in West Texas.

The regents this week authorized UT officials to negotiate with one or more parties to sell a portion of its oil and gas production at a fixed price over a set time period.

The buyer would pay up front for...(complete article here).

Oil Shale Rules Proposed

One more step toward energy independence.

Bush Administration to Propose Rules for Oil Shale Leases

Monday, July 21, 2008

WASHINGTON — The Bush administration wants to set the stage before leaving office for developing oil shale, rocky deposits in the western U.S. that could eventually yield 800 billion barrels of oil, according to government estimates.

The Interior Department is scheduled to unveil proposed regulations Tuesday for a program to sell oil shale leases on federal lands, similar to the leases sold now for oil and natural gas both on and offshore.

The shale is concentrated in...(complete article here).

New Leases Open in Alaska

Each small drop of oil produced domestically is one less that has to be purchased from OPEC.


Record of Decision Sets Stage for Major Lease Sale in National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In a Record of Decision issued today, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced that it will make land available for oil and gas leasing in the northeast portion of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A).

“This action sets the stage for...(complete article here).

DOI Supportive Statement to OCS Drilling

As part of the Administration, it is certainly expected that the Secretary would support the President's decision. However, I do applaud the Secretary for his statement. He didn't have to say anything.

Developing these resources in an environmentally responsible manner is important to America's energy future. I hope that Congress will move forward and lift their ban as well.

On this issue, U.S. Senator John Cornyn is hosting "Energy Independence Days" with guest posts by the likes of Governor Mike Huckabee, Newt Gingrich and soon-to-come, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Head on over and join the discussion.

Secretary Kempthorne Statement on President’s Action Toward Expanding Domestic Energy Production

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today issued the following statement in response to the President’s announcement that he intends to lift the Executive prohibition on Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) energy exploration:

“I applaud...(complete statement here).

Related: U.S. Senator John Cornyn has a guest post at RedState.

Executive Order on Offshore Drilling Lifted

This move by the President puts the issue squarely in the laps of Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi. Let's see what the Democrats will do with it.

Bush lifts executive ban on offshore drilling

By DAVID IVANOVICH and KRISTEN HAYS
Houston Chronicle Copyright 2008

WASHINGTON — President Bush, in a largely symbolic move, today lifted an executive order barring oil and gas drilling in most offshore federal waters.

But since Congress has its own drilling moratoriums in place, the move itself won't open new areas for offshore producers to explore.

Instead, Bush's decision...(complete article here).

The Pickens Energy Campaign

Forgive my skepticism but I have a hard time believing that Mr. Picken's motives are not self serving. There may be other issues at stake. I'm certain that his investments will be well-rewarded from these expenditures.

Pickens Goes For The Grass Roots

Allison Fass, 07.11.08, 4:00 AM ET


"Did you know, back in 1970, we imported 24% of our oil, and by 1990 it was 42%," says billionaire T. Boone Pickens, in his Texas drawl, at the start of a national commercial that began airing this week. "Today, it's almost 70% and climbing every minute." His voice plays as the words appear in white letters on a black screen. A fire slowly burns into the background.

The octogenarian oilman has...(complete article here).

Following are related posts that I have previously made:

http://agriconenergy.blogspot.com/2008/07/balancing-needs-in-new-energy-economy.html

http://polytickle.blogspot.com/2008/07/pickens-energy-plan-and-media-blitz.html

http://polytickle.blogspot.com/2008/07/opportunities-for-doing-right-thing.html

McCain Backs Opening Reserves to Drilling

Let's utilize the resources at hand while continuing to develop new sources of energy.

McCain touts energy conservation and oil exploration

By Jeff Mason

DALLAS (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate John McCain will call on Tuesday for energy conservation and the lifting of a ban on oil and natural gas exploration as two ways to help address the nation's "dangerous" dependence on foreign oil.

McCain, an Arizona senator who has wrapped up his party's presidential nomination, has made...(complete article here).

Saudi's Indicate Increased Oil Production

It will take a while for any increase to have an impact at the pump due to the lag time from production through the transportation and refining phase before ultimately being shipped to the local fuel distributor. The most immediate impact will likely be on the futures market.

Saudi Arabia says more crude on way

Kingdom may be getting nervous about the effects of high oil prices

By Jad Mouawad
New York Times

Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, is planning to increase its output next month by about a half-million barrels a day, according to analysts and oil traders who have been briefed by Saudi officials.

The increase could bring Saudi output to...(complete article here).

Niger Plus China Equals Oil

China is hungry for energy in all of its forms. This is a two-edged sword for the world. If China cannot get the energy that it needs from peaceful means, there is incentive to take it by force. If China gets the energy that it needs, with its population and size of economy, it will dominate the world scene. If you were their neighbor wouldn't you be nervous? This world is pretty small. I think we're all their neighbor.

Niger set to become oil producer

China will invest $5bn (£2.5bn) over the next three years to develop oil production in Niger.

State-owned China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC) is expected to produce the country's first barrel of oil in 2009.

Under the agreement, CNPC will build a 2000-km pipeline and a refinery with a capacity of 20,000 barrels a day.

The investment in...(complete article here).

CFTC Investigation Into Oil Futures Trading

It will be interesting to see what they find.

Government discloses U.S. oil market investigation

Indonesia Quitting OPEC?

Political issues are a major factor in oil prices.

Indonesia says it is quitting OPEC

U.S. Percent Foreign Oil Falling

This could spell bad news for efforts to reduce the ethanol mandates.


US begins to break foreign oil ‘addiction’

By Carola Hoyos, Chief Energy Correspondent
Published: May 19 2008 14:28

The US is starting to break its “addiction” to foreign oil as high prices, more efficient cars, and the use of ethanol significantly cut the share of its oil imports for the first time since 1977.

The country’s foreign oil dependency is expected to fall from 60 per cent to 50 per cent in 2015, before rising again slightly to 54 per cent in 2030, according to...(complete article here).